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Zapier AI vs n8n

A side-by-side look at Zapier AI and n8n, using the details in each tool profile.

Quick take

Choose Zapier AI — best for: connecting the widest possible set of SaaS apps with AI steps in between. Choose n8n — best for: self-hosted AI agent and RAG workflows where data cannot leave your infrastructure.

Zapier AI vs n8n at a glance

CriteriaZapier AIn8n
CategoryAI Automation ToolsAI Automation Tools
Best forConnecting the widest possible set of SaaS apps with AI steps in between.Self-hosted AI agent and RAG workflows where data cannot leave your infrastructure.
Pricing modelFreemiumFree access
Free planYesYes
Free trialYesYes
API availableYesYes
Platforms
  • Web
  • Chrome extension
  • mobile app
  • MCP server
  • Self-hosted (Docker, Kubernetes, npm, Railway, Render)
  • n8n Cloud
  • desktop app
Key features
  • AI Zap builder (describe a workflow in plain language)
  • AI by Zapier steps for extraction, classification and generation inside a Zap
  • Zapier Agents with tool access across all connected apps
  • Chatbots with knowledge sources
  • Tables (database) and Interfaces (forms/apps)
  • Canvas for diagramming processes
  • Self-hostable (Docker, Kubernetes, npm) with no execution limits on the community edition
  • visual node editor plus custom code nodes
  • native LangChain integration for AI agent workflows
  • vector store nodes (Pinecone, Qdrant, Supabase, PGVector)
  • AI Agent node with tool calling
  • 1,000+ integrations plus universal HTTP node
Advantages
  • Unmatched app coverage - if a SaaS product exists, Zapier probably connects to it
  • genuinely no-code with a gentle learning curve
  • the MCP server makes Zapier's whole action catalogue available to other AI assistants, which is strategically significant
  • reliable and mature.
  • Per-execution rather than per-step billing makes it dramatically cheaper than Zapier at any real volume
  • self-hosting eliminates both cost and data-residency concerns
  • native LangChain and vector-store nodes make it the strongest platform here for building real AI agents
  • code nodes remove the no-code ceiling.
Limitations
  • Task-based pricing becomes expensive fast at volume compared with n8n or Make
  • multi-step Zaps consume tasks per step, which surprises new users
  • limited branching and looping logic compared with Make
  • AI steps are convenience wrappers rather than deep capability
  • Genuinely requires technical skill - self-hosting means you own updates, backups, scaling and security
  • the licence is fair-code, not true open source, and restricts some commercial uses
  • UI is less polished than Make
  • fewer prebuilt connectors than Zapier

Pricing notes

Zapier AI

Free $0 with 100 tasks/month and two-step Zaps only. Professional from roughly $19.99/mo (750 tasks) scaling by task volume. Team from roughly $69/mo with shared workspaces and unlimited users. Enterprise custom, annual. AI features consume tasks; Zapier Agents and Chatbots have their own activity allowances and add-on pricing. Costs scale steeply with task volume - the headline entry price is rarely the real cost.

n8n

Community Edition free and self-hosted with unlimited workflows and executions (Sustainable Use Licence - free for internal business use, restrictions on reselling as a service). n8n Cloud Starter from roughly EUR 20-24/mo (2,500 executions, 5 active workflows). Pro from roughly EUR 50-60/mo (10,000 executions, 15 active workflows). Enterprise custom, with SSO, LDAP, log streaming, air-gapped deployment and external secrets. Critically, n8n bills per workflow execution, not per step - a 50-step workflow counts as one execution.

Prices change often. Confirm on the official pricing pages: Zapier AI ↗ · n8n ↗

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between Zapier AI and n8n?

Zapier AI: AI layer across Zapier's automation platform, which connects 8,000+ apps. n8n: Source-available workflow automation platform that can be self-hosted for free.

When should I choose Zapier AI over n8n?

Zapier AI is listed as best for: connecting the widest possible set of SaaS apps with AI steps in between. n8n is listed as best for: self-hosted AI agent and RAG workflows where data cannot leave your infrastructure.

Do Zapier AI and n8n have a free plan?

Zapier AI: Yes. n8n: Yes. Check each official pricing page, as plans change.

Read the full profiles

Zapier AIAI layer across Zapier's automation platform, which connects 8,000+ apps.n8nSource-available workflow automation platform that can be self-hosted for free.

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