Zapier vs Make vs n8n: Pricing & Feature Comparison
A straightforward comparison to help you pick the right automation platform. We break down pricing, features, ease of use, and where each tool fits best.
Quick Overview
All three platforms connect your apps and automate repetitive tasks. They work differently, though, and they are priced differently. Here is the short version before we dig into the details.
Zapier
The biggest name with the most integrations. Simple to use, but gets expensive fast.
Make
Visual workflow builder with strong pricing. More power than Zapier at a fraction of the cost.
n8n
Open source and self-hostable. Free if you run your own server. Most technical of the three.
Pricing Comparison
Pricing is where these three platforms differ the most. Zapier charges per task, Make charges per operation, and n8n charges per execution (or nothing if you self-host). The terminology is different, but the concept is similar: each time your automation does something, it counts against your limit.
One important note: a "task" in Zapier and an "operation" in Make are not exactly equivalent. A multi-step Zapier workflow counts multiple tasks (one per step), while Make counts each module as one operation. For a 5-step workflow running 100 times per month, Zapier would count 500 tasks while Make would count 500 operations. The numbers are roughly comparable, but Zapier costs more per unit.
| Plan | Zapier | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 100 tasks/mo 5 zaps, single-step only | 1,000 ops/mo 2 active scenarios | Unlimited (self-hosted) Fully featured, no limits |
| Starter / Core | $19.99/mo 1,000 tasks, multi-step | $9/mo 10,000 ops, 5 scenarios | $20/mo 10,000 executions, 5 workflows |
| Professional / Pro | $49.99/mo 3,000 tasks, paths & filters | $16/mo 50,000 ops, 25 scenarios | $60/mo 50,000 exec, 25 workflows |
| Team / Business | $599.99/mo 10,000 tasks, 5 users | $49/mo 250,000 ops, 50 scenarios | $120/mo 200,000 exec, 100 workflows |
| Enterprise | $1,499.99/mo 50,000 tasks, unlimited users | $299/mo 1M ops, unlimited scenarios | $600/mo 1M exec, unlimited workflows |
The pricing gap is significant
At the team level, Zapier costs $599.99/mo for 10,000 tasks. Make gives you 250,000 operations for $49/mo. Even accounting for differences in how tasks and operations are counted, Make is dramatically cheaper for medium and high volume usage.
Feature Comparison
Beyond pricing, each platform has different strengths when it comes to what you can actually build with it. Here is how they stack up across the features that matter most.
| Feature | Zapier | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|---|
| App integrations | 7,000+ | 2,000+ | 400+ nodes |
| Visual workflow builder | Linear only | Full visual canvas | Full visual canvas |
| Branching / conditional logic | Paths (paid) | Built-in routers | IF/Switch nodes |
| Error handling | Basic | Advanced | Advanced |
| Loops / iteration | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Custom code nodes | Python/JS (paid) | JS only | JS + Python |
| Webhooks | Yes (paid) | Yes (all plans) | Yes (all plans) |
| Self-hosting option | No | No | Yes (open source) |
| API / HTTP requests | Webhooks by Zapier | HTTP module | HTTP Request node |
| Ease of use | Easiest | Moderate | Most technical |
| Data transformation | Basic formatting | Rich data mapping | Full data manipulation |
| Team collaboration | Team plan ($600/mo) | Team plan ($49/mo) | Cloud Business ($120/mo) |
The pattern is clear: Zapier wins on ease of use and sheer number of integrations. Make and n8n win on everything else, especially workflow complexity and cost efficiency. If you are building anything beyond basic two-app connections, Make or n8n will give you more flexibility.
Zapier: Detailed Look
Zapier has been the default automation platform for years, and that reputation is well earned. It is the easiest tool to get started with, it has more integrations than anyone else, and its interface walks you through every step. If you have never built an automation before, Zapier will feel comfortable from day one.
The problem is pricing. Zapier's task-based model gets expensive quickly once you start running workflows at any real volume. The free plan's 100 tasks per month disappears fast, and the jump to paid plans feels steep compared to what Make offers at the same price points.
Zapier also lags behind on workflow complexity. The linear "trigger then action" model works great for simple automations but becomes limiting when you need branching logic, loops, or complex data transformations. Paths and filters are available on paid plans, but they feel bolted on rather than native to the platform.
Pros
- ✓ Easiest learning curve of the three
- ✓ 7,000+ app integrations
- ✓ Excellent pre-built templates
- ✓ Strong documentation and support
- ✓ AI-powered automation builder
Cons
- ✗ Most expensive at every tier
- ✗ Limited to linear workflows (mostly)
- ✗ Free plan is very restrictive
- ✗ Advanced features locked behind higher tiers
- ✗ No self-hosting option
Make: Detailed Look
Make (formerly Integromat) is where most people should land. It combines a powerful visual workflow builder with pricing that actually makes sense for small businesses. You get a drag-and-drop canvas where you can see your entire automation as a flowchart, with branches, filters, and loops built right into the visual interface.
The visual approach is not just pretty. It makes debugging dramatically easier. When a workflow breaks, you can see exactly which module failed and what data was passing through at that point. Compare that to Zapier, where you often have to click through multiple steps to find the problem.
Make's free tier is genuinely useful. You get 1,000 operations per month and 2 active scenarios, which is enough to run a few real automations and get a feel for the platform before you pay anything. The paid plans start at $9/month, which gets you 10,000 operations. That same volume on Zapier would cost at least $19.99 and likely more.
Pros
- ✓ Significantly cheaper than Zapier
- ✓ Powerful visual workflow canvas
- ✓ Built-in branching, loops, and error handling
- ✓ Strong free tier (1,000 ops/mo)
- ✓ Rich data transformation tools
Cons
- ✗ Steeper learning curve than Zapier
- ✗ Fewer integrations (2,000 vs 7,000)
- ✗ Interface can feel complex for simple tasks
- ✗ No self-hosting option
- ✗ Some integrations less polished than Zapier's
Try Make for free
Make offers a generous free plan with 1,000 operations per month. No credit card required. Build your first scenario in minutes and see why it is our top recommendation for most users.
Start with Make's free plan →n8n: Detailed Look
n8n is the wildcard in this comparison. It is open source, which means you can download it, run it on your own server, and never pay a subscription fee. For developers and teams with technical resources, this is a huge advantage. You get unlimited workflows and executions for the cost of a $5-10/month VPS.
The platform itself is capable. It has a visual workflow builder similar to Make's, with nodes that you connect together. Where n8n really shines is in its flexibility. You can write custom JavaScript or Python in code nodes, connect to any API using the HTTP Request node, and build automations that would be impossible (or very expensive) on the other two platforms.
The tradeoff is complexity. n8n feels more like a developer tool than a business tool. The interface is functional but not as polished as Zapier or Make. Setting up self-hosted n8n requires some comfort with servers and Docker. And with only about 400 built-in nodes, you will more often need to set up custom API connections compared to Zapier's 7,000 pre-built integrations.
If you do not want to self-host, n8n offers a Cloud version starting at $20/month. It is competitive with Make's pricing but slightly more expensive at the starter level.
Pros
- ✓ Free and open source (self-hosted)
- ✓ Full control over your data
- ✓ Custom code nodes (JS + Python)
- ✓ No limits when self-hosted
- ✓ Active open source community
Cons
- ✗ Most technical of the three
- ✗ Fewest built-in integrations (~400)
- ✗ Self-hosting requires server management
- ✗ Less polished interface
- ✗ Smaller community than Zapier
Try n8n Cloud
If you want the power of n8n without managing your own server, n8n Cloud handles hosting, updates, and backups for you. Plans start at $20/month.
Start with n8n Cloud →Our Verdict
There is no single "best" platform. The right choice depends on what you need and how comfortable you are with technical tools. Here is our recommendation for each situation:
For most small businesses: Choose Make
Make gives you the best balance of power, usability, and price. Its visual builder is intuitive enough for non-technical users while being capable enough for complex multi-step workflows. And the pricing is fair. You will pay a fraction of what Zapier charges for the same volume of work.
If you are not sure which platform to try first, start with Make. The free tier is generous enough to build real automations and see if the platform fits your needs before spending anything.
Try Make free →For developers and technical teams: Choose n8n
If you or your team has technical skills and you want maximum flexibility (and minimum cost), n8n is hard to beat. The self-hosted option gives you unlimited automations for free, and the ability to write custom code directly in your workflows opens up possibilities that the other platforms simply cannot match.
n8n is also the right choice if data privacy is a priority. Self-hosting means your data never leaves your infrastructure.
Try n8n Cloud →For complete beginners with simple needs: Consider Zapier
Zapier still has the smoothest onboarding experience and the widest selection of pre-built integrations. If you need a specific niche app connected and you want the easiest possible setup, Zapier might be worth the premium. Just watch your task usage closely. Costs can creep up fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Make really cheaper than Zapier?
Yes, in most cases. Make's Core plan at $9/month gives you 10,000 operations. Zapier's comparable Starter plan is $19.99/month for only 1,000 tasks. For medium to high volume workflows, Make typically costs 50-80% less than Zapier.
Can I switch from Zapier to Make or n8n easily?
There is no automatic migration tool between platforms. You will need to rebuild your workflows manually. However, both Make and n8n have import features and templates that speed things up. Most simple automations can be recreated in an afternoon.
Is n8n really free?
The self-hosted version of n8n is free and open source with no limits on workflows or executions. You only pay for your own server hosting, which can be as low as $5-10/month on a VPS. The n8n Cloud hosted version starts at $20/month.
Which platform has the most integrations?
Zapier leads with over 7,000 app integrations. Make has around 2,000, and n8n has about 400 built-in nodes plus the ability to connect to any API with its HTTP Request node. For most common business apps, all three platforms have you covered.
Do I need coding skills to use these platforms?
Zapier and Make are fully no-code. You can build automations without writing a single line of code. n8n is also no-code for most use cases, but it exposes more technical options (like JavaScript code nodes) that developers can take advantage of.
What happens if I go over my plan limits?
Zapier pauses your automations until the next billing cycle or you upgrade. Make pauses scenarios when you hit your operation limit. n8n Cloud also pauses workflows at the limit. All three let you buy additional capacity or upgrade mid-cycle.
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