Zapier vs Make vs n8n (2026)
Two gaps found on this pass: Zapier's integration count is stale — it's 9,000+ apps now, not 7,000+, confirmed directly on zapier.com. n8n was missing an entire tier — a Business plan at €667/mo (self-hosted, 40,000 executions, SSO/SAML/LDAP) sits between Pro and Enterprise and wasn't shown at all. Zapier's task pricing and Make's credit pricing were both re-verified and confirmed accurate.
Find yourself first
Non-technical users, first automation
Wanting something running in under an hour without touching code.
Teams outgrowing Zapier
Hitting linear-workflow limits or task costs at scale.
Developers wanting code control
Needing full JavaScript/Python control and the option to self-host.
Anyone comparing cost models
Task-based, credit-based, and execution-based pricing all measure differently.
Teams building AI agent workflows
All three tools now have distinct AI-agent integration stories in 2026.
Anyone checking current 2026 numbers
Verifying real integration counts and tiers before committing a budget line.
One stale number, one missing tier
The 10-second answer
Zapier
Free: 100 tasks/month. Professional $19.99/mo (750 tasks). 9,000+ app integrations (corrected). MCP for Claude/ChatGPT. Best reliability and broadest app coverage.
$19.99/mo ProfessionalMake
Free: 1,000 credits/month. Core $12/mo (10K credits). Visual canvas builder — unlimited modules per scenario. AI Agents on all paid plans. Significantly cheaper than Zapier at scale.
$12/mo Coren8n
Free self-hosted (unlimited). Cloud Starter $24/mo (2,500 executions). Business €667/mo self-hosted (new tier added). Open-source, extensible, AI sub-workflows.
$24/mo Cloud StarterMatch your situation
| Your situation | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You are a non-developer wanting automation in under an hour | Zapier | 9,000+ app integrations, easiest setup, best documentation. |
| You need complex conditional logic and visual workflow maps | Make | Visual canvas builder, unlimited modules, unlimited routes. |
| You are a developer who wants full code control + self-hosting | n8n | Open-source, free self-hosted, JavaScript/Python in workflows. |
| You want AI agents to trigger your automations | Zapier (MCP) | Zapier MCP lets Claude/ChatGPT run Zaps directly via natural language. |
| You saw Zapier listed at "7,000+ apps" | Recheck pricing | Zapier's own site now states 9,000+ apps. |
| You run hundreds of automations and need lowest cost | n8n self-hosted or Make | n8n self-hosted has no execution limits. Make is much cheaper than Zapier at volume. |
| You need a mid-size self-hosted tier with SSO between n8n Pro and Enterprise | n8n Business (€667/mo) | Previously missing from this comparison — sits between Pro and Enterprise, self-hosted only. |
| You need the most app integrations (one specific app) | Zapier | 9,000+ apps — most extensive library. Make has 3,000+, n8n ~500 native nodes. |
What will your automation actually cost?
Select a plan tier for each tool. Zapier charges per task (action step), Make per credit (module step), n8n per execution (cloud) or nothing extra if self-hosted.
⚠️ Zapier tasks, Make credits, and n8n executions are not directly equivalent units — a 5-step Zap uses 5 tasks, a 5-module Make scenario uses ~5 credits, but an n8n workflow of any length uses exactly 1 execution per run. n8n's Business tier (€667/mo) is self-hosted only, shown here for cost reference, not as a cloud option.
The numbers that matter
was stated as 7,000+ — confirmed on zapier.com/pricing
self-hosted, 40K executions, SSO/SAML/LDAP
up to 13,700/mo on Pro
Three tools, three cost models
Zapier — Easiest Automation + AI Agent Infrastructure
$19.99/mo ProfessionalZapier remains dominant by user count because it has the lowest barrier to entry and the broadest app coverage. With 9,000+ integrations (corrected from 7,000+), nearly any business application has a native Zapier connector. Zapier MCP now lets AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT trigger Zaps directly through natural language — each MCP call uses 2 tasks from your quota.
- 9,000+ app integrations — largest library by far (corrected)
- Easiest setup — running in under 15 minutes for non-technical users
- Zapier MCP: AI tools can trigger Zaps directly, all plans
- Filters, Paths, and Formatter steps are free — don't count toward task quota
- Most expensive at scale — $19.99/mo for only 750 tasks (Professional)
- Linear step editor — complex branching harder to visualize than Make
- Zaps capped at 100 steps and 10 branches (Make has neither limit)
- Pay-per-task model means costs are unpredictable at high volume
Make — Visual Canvas for Complex Workflows, Credit-Based
$12/mo CoreMake is the best choice when automation complexity exceeds what Zapier's linear editor handles gracefully. The visual scenario builder shows every module, route, and connection on a canvas with real-time data flow animations. Unlimited modules and routes mean no architectural ceiling — Zapier caps Zaps at 100 steps and 10 branches.
- Visual canvas builder — drag-and-drop with real-time data flow animations
- Unlimited modules per scenario and unlimited routes
- Most cost-effective for complex, multi-step workflows at scale
- AI Agents included on all paid plans — bring your own AI provider key
- Steeper learning curve than Zapier for beginners
- Credit counting per module step can be confusing to predict costs
- Fewer app integrations than Zapier (3,000+ vs 9,000+)
n8n — Developer-Grade Automation, Now with a Missing-Tier Fix
Free self-hosted · $24/mo Cloudn8n is genuinely free to self-host with no execution limits — for a developer willing to run a $5-20/month VPS, automation cost approaches zero regardless of volume. Confirmed on n8n.io/pricing, the tier structure is actually Starter ($24/mo, 2,500 executions) → Pro ($50/mo, 10,000 executions) → Business (€667/mo, self-hosted only, 40,000 executions) → Enterprise (custom) — the Business tier was missing from the prior version of this page entirely.
- Free self-hosted — run on $5-20/mo VPS with unlimited executions
- JavaScript/Python code nodes — write custom logic directly in workflows
- AI Assistant credits included on cloud plans (2,300/mo Starter, up to 13,700/mo Pro)
- Open-source, fair-code licensed, self-hosted data privacy
- Requires technical skill to self-host and maintain
- Cloud plans are pricier relative to feature set vs Make
- Smaller integration library (~500 native) — HTTP node bridges gaps but requires more work
- Business tier (€667/mo) is self-hosted only — no equivalent hosted option at that scale
Strengths at a glance
| Criteria | Zapier | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | 100 tasks/month | 1,000 credits/month (10x Zapier) | Unlimited, self-hosted |
| Entry paid price | $19.99/mo (750 tasks) | $12/mo (10K credits) | $24/mo cloud (2.5K executions) |
| App integrations (corrected) | Best — 9,000+ | 3,000+ | ~500 native + HTTP node |
| Visual builder | Linear list-based | Best — canvas with animations | Node-based (good for devs) |
| Code in workflows | Limited code step | Limited code support | Best — full JS/Python nodes |
| Tier completeness (new) | 4 tiers, all shown | 4 tiers, all shown | 5 tiers incl. Business (now shown) |
🟢 STRONG · 🟠 ACCEPTABLE WITH CAVEATS · 🔴 WEAK / WATCH OUT
Feature by feature
| Feature | Zapier | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ⚡ 100 tasks/month | ✓ 1,000 credits/month (10x Zapier) | ✓ Unlimited (self-hosted) |
| Entry paid price | Professional $19.99/mo (750 tasks) | ✓ Core $12/mo (10K credits) | Cloud Starter $24/mo (2.5K executions) |
| App integrations (corrected) | ✓ 9,000+ — best coverage | 3,000+ | ~500 native + any REST API |
| Visual builder | ⚡ Linear list-based editor | ✓ Visual canvas with animations | ⚡ Node-based (good for devs) |
| Code in workflows | ⚡ Code step (limited) | ⚡ Limited code support | ✓ Full JS/Python nodes |
| Self-hosting | ✗ Cloud only | ✗ Cloud only | ✓ Free self-hosted on your server |
| AI agent integration | ✓ Zapier MCP — Claude/ChatGPT triggers | ✓ Make AI Agents (all paid plans) | ✓ AI sub-workflows + AI Assistant credits |
| Max steps per workflow | ⚡ 100 steps, 10 branches | ✓ Unlimited modules + routes | ✓ Unlimited nodes |
| Highest self-hosted/hosted tier | Enterprise — custom | Teams $38/mo, Enterprise custom | Business €667/mo (added) → Enterprise custom |
Every plan, verified
Zapier's integration count and n8n's tier list both needed fixing this pass — one stale number, one missing tier entirely. Make's credit pricing was already accurate.
| Plan | Zapier | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 100 tasks/month · unlimited Zaps · 1 user | 1,000 credits/month · unlimited scenarios | Unlimited (self-hosted) · 14-day cloud trial |
| Entry paid | Professional $19.99/mo — 750 tasks · Filters free | ✓ Core $12/mo — 10,000 credits · API access | Cloud Starter $24/mo — 2,500 executions |
| Mid tier | Team $69/mo — 2,000 tasks · 25 users · SAML SSO | Pro $21/mo — 10,000 credits · priority execution | Cloud Pro $50/mo — 10,000 executions |
| Upper tier | — | Teams $38/mo — 10,000 credits · team roles | Business €667/mo (added) — self-hosted, 40K executions, SSO/SAML/LDAP |
| Advanced | Enterprise — custom · unlimited users | Enterprise — custom credit allocation | Enterprise — custom · hosted or self-hosted |
| Watch out for | Each action step = 1 task. MCP calls = 2 tasks each. Overage at 1.25x plan rate. | Credits vary by module complexity. Extra credits cost 25% above plan rate. | Self-hosted needs VPS + maintenance. Business tier is self-hosted only, not a cloud option. |
Choose by fit
Choose Zapier if…
- You are non-technical and want automation running in under an hour
- You need a specific app that only Zapier has (9,000+ integrations)
- AI agent integration (Zapier MCP with Claude/ChatGPT) is a priority
- Your automation volume is low (<1,000 tasks/month on Professional)
- Reliability and 24/7 support matter more than lowest cost
Choose Make if…
- You have complex, multi-branch workflows Zapier's linear editor can't handle cleanly
- High automation volume where Make's credit pricing is much cheaper than Zapier
- You want AI Agents with your own provider API key on a paid plan
- Team collaboration on automation scenarios is required
- Visual clarity of data flow matters for your team
Choose n8n if…
- You are a developer comfortable setting up and maintaining a server
- Custom JavaScript or Python logic is required in your automations
- Data privacy matters — self-hosted keeps data on your own infrastructure
- You're at genuine 40K-execution scale with SSO needs — the new Business tier fits
- Open-source codebase and community extensions are important
Match the tool to your job
Best for beginners
ZapierEasiest setup. 9,000+ apps. Runs in 15 min.
Best visual builder
MakeCanvas builder. Unlimited modules/routes.
Best for developers
n8nJS/Python nodes. Self-hosted free.
Best AI agent support
Zapier MCPClaude/ChatGPT can trigger Zaps directly.
Best free plan volume
n8n self-hostedUnlimited executions. Make free: 1,000 credits.
Best value at scale
MakeCore $12/mo for 10K credits. Much cheaper vs Zapier.
Most app integrations
Zapier9,000+ apps (corrected). Make 3,000+. n8n ~500 native.
Self-hosting / data privacy
n8nOpen-source. Your server. Your data.
What vendors won't lead with
🔢 Zapier's app count was understated, not the pricing
The prior version of this page said "7,000+ apps." Zapier's own pricing and MCP pages now say 9,000+. This doesn't change your bill, but it does change how you'd evaluate whether Zapier covers a niche app you need.
🧩 n8n's Business tier existed and wasn't shown
Confirmed on n8n.io/pricing: Business is €667/mo, self-hosted only, 40,000 executions, SSO/SAML/LDAP, Git-based version control — sitting between Pro ($50/mo) and Enterprise (custom). If you were sizing up n8n's ceiling before Enterprise, this tier changes that picture.
📊 Zapier task costs scale unexpectedly at high volume
Each action step in a Zap uses one task. A 5-action Zap that triggers 200 times/month uses 1,000 tasks — above the Professional limit. Pay-per-task overage kicks in at 1.25x the plan's per-task cost.
💳 Make credits vary by module complexity
Most modules consume one credit, but AI toolkit features and high-complexity operations can consume multiple credits per run. Auto-purchased extra credits cost 25% above your plan rate.
🖥️ n8n self-hosting requires real technical maintenance
Self-hosting is free, but "free" understates the real cost: VPS ($5-20/month), initial setup (~2-4 hours), monthly updates, and uptime monitoring. For non-technical users, n8n Cloud Starter at $24/month is the more realistic option.
🤖 Zapier MCP calls use 2 tasks each
When an AI tool like Claude or ChatGPT triggers a Zapier automation via MCP, each call consumes 2 tasks from your quota. For workflows where AI agents trigger Zaps frequently, factor this into your task budget.
Quick answers
Make is significantly cheaper for equivalent automation power at scale. Make Core is $12/month for 10,000 credits; Zapier Professional is $19.99/month for only 750 tasks. Zapier's tasks and Make's credits aren't directly equivalent — Zapier counts actions while Make counts module steps. For high-volume, n8n self-hosted approaches $0/month variable cost.
Confirmed directly on zapier.com/pricing: more than 9,000 apps. Older guides — and a prior version of this page — showed 7,000+, which understated the current figure. Make has 3,000+, and n8n has roughly 500 native integrations plus an HTTP request node for any REST API.
n8n Business is €667/month (billed annually), self-hosted only, with 40,000 executions, SSO/SAML/LDAP, Git-based version control, and multiple environments — aimed at companies under 100 employees. It sits between Pro ($50/mo, 10,000 executions) and custom Enterprise pricing. The prior version of this page omitted it entirely, jumping straight from Pro to Enterprise.
n8n is free to self-host with no execution limits — you download and run it on your own server, typically a $5-20/month VPS. You need technical skills for setup and maintenance. n8n Cloud plans start at $24/month (Starter, 2,500 executions), scaling to Pro ($50/mo), Business (€667/mo, self-hosted only), and custom Enterprise.
For technically capable teams, yes — especially for high-volume automation where Zapier's task costs become significant. n8n has fewer native integrations (~500 vs 9,000+) but the HTTP request node covers most REST APIs. The main gaps: n8n requires technical maintenance or cloud costs, has a steeper setup curve, and fewer pre-built integrations for niche apps.
Ready to choose your automation tool?
All three offer free starting points. Zapier and Make have free plans. n8n is free to self-host.