Tickerr / Compare / n8n vs Zapier
n8n vs Zapier (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of pricing, usage limits and live uptime.
Verdict
Complex workflows and custom logic
n8n
n8n supports advanced branching, loops, error handling, and custom JavaScript/Python nodes. Zapier is simpler but much less flexible.
Ease of use for non-technical users
Zapier
Zapier has a cleaner UI, 6,000+ app integrations, and better pre-built templates. n8n has a steeper learning curve.
Cost at scale
n8n
n8n self-hosted is completely free. Cloud Pro is $50/month. Zapier costs jump sharply with task volume — 50K tasks/month costs $480+.
Live status
Plan pricing
Frequently asked questions
Is n8n better than Zapier?
n8n is better for complex, technical workflows and developers who want self-hosting. Zapier is better for quick automations and non-technical teams. n8n is significantly cheaper at scale.
Is n8n free?
Yes. n8n is free to self-host with no limits. The cloud version has a free tier with 2,500 executions/month. Zapier free allows 5 Zaps and 100 tasks/month.
Can n8n replace Zapier completely?
For most automation use cases, yes — especially if you can self-host. n8n supports most Zapier integrations and adds AI nodes and custom code. The tradeoff is setup time vs Zapier's instant simplicity.