M
Mn8n vs Zapier
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
N
Choose n8n if…
- you work on Self-hosted
- you're in its core audience: developers, operations teams
Z
Choose Zapier if…
- you need an API to build on
- you're in its core audience: small and medium businesses, operations and revops teams
Side by side
Feature n8n Zapier
Pricing modelFreemiumFreemium
Starting price—$19.99/mo
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
Trains AI on your contentNoNo
Data retentionExecution data deleted automatically based on account's retention settingsCustom data retention available (Enterprise); default period not stated
Security and complianceSOC 2, GDPRSOC 2 Type II, SOC 3, GDPR, CCPA
GitHub stars208.8K634
Self-hosting—
MCP server
AI agent builder
Custom code steps—
Prompt-to-workflow—
Custom connectors
Embedded integrations—
PlatformsWeb, Self-hostedWeb, API
CategoryWorkflow AutomationWorkflow Automation
Companyn8n GmbHZapier, Inc.
Based inGermanyUnited States
Founded——
Part of——
Key features
N n8n
- Visual workflow builder with optional custom code
- 500+ native integrations plus HTTP for any API
- AI agents, AI nodes and MCP support
- Human-in-the-loop approvals, e.g. via Slack
- Re-run only the failed step
- Version history with Git-based version control
- SSO (SAML), LDAP, RBAC and audit logs
- Cloud hosting or self-hosting with Docker
Z
- Trigger-based Zap workflows across 9,000+ apps
- Zapier MCP connecting AI tools to 66,000+ actions
- Zapier SDK for AI coding agents
- Tables for storing workflow data
- Forms that trigger workflows
- AI agents and customer chatbots
- Self-healing Zaps with AI manager agent (early access)
- Audit logs, SSO, SCIM and action restrictions
Plans and prices
From each vendor's site. Prices change — confirm before buying.
n8n
Community EditionFree (self-hosted)
Starter€20/mo billed annually
Pro€50/mo billed annually
Business€667/mo billed annually
EnterpriseCustom
Zapier
Free$0/month
ProfessionalStarting from $19.99/month
TeamStarting from $69/month
EnterpriseContact for pricing
Strengths and limitations
n8n
- Self-hosted Community Edition available on GitHub
- All plans include unlimited users and workflows
- Cloud trial needs no credit card
- Pricing is per execution, regardless of workflow complexity
- Prices listed in euros for annual billing only
- Business plan is self-hosted only
- Support on non-Enterprise plans is forum only
- Self-hosted licensed features need a daily license server check-in
Zapier
- Free plan with 100 tasks per month and unlimited Zaps
- Connects to 9,000+ apps
- SOC 2 Type II, SOC 3, GDPR and CCPA compliance
- Yearly billing saves 33%
- Free plan limited to two-step Zaps and 15-minute polling
- Live chat support starts at the Professional 2,000-task tier
- Prices scale with task volume
- Next Gen Zaps are still in early access
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Built from each vendor's public website; we haven't tested them hands-on. Editorial policy