Key takeaways
- Zapier has the largest integration library, with thousands of apps.
- Zapier bills per task, Make per operation or credit, and n8n per workflow execution.
- n8n is the only one of the three you can self-host.
- All three now offer AI agent features, with n8n giving the most control.
Is n8n better than Zapier or Make
It depends on who builds and how much runs. Zapier is the better choice when non-technical staff build their own automations, when you need a niche app that only Zapier supports, or when volumes are modest. Its interface is the simplest and its library covers thousands of apps. Make is the better choice when you want visual control over branching, iterators and data mapping at a lower price than Zapier, and your team is comfortable with a slightly steeper learning curve.
n8n is the better choice when workflows are complex, volumes are high, data must stay on your own infrastructure or developers want to write code inside steps. It also suits teams that want to avoid lock-in, since workflows export as JSON and can run anywhere. For n8n vs Power Automate, Power Automate is often the sensible pick for Microsoft 365 heavy companies because of licensing and native connectors, while n8n is more flexible across mixed stacks.
n8n vs Zapier pricing and which is cheaper
The pricing models differ more than the headline numbers. Zapier charges per task, meaning each successful action step counts. A five-step Zap running 1,000 times uses about 5,000 tasks. Make charges per operation or credit, where each module run counts, but prices per unit are usually lower than Zapier's. n8n charges per workflow execution on its cloud plans, so a 20-step workflow costs the same as a two-step one.
For low volumes of simple automations, all three cost little, and Zapier's time saved on building can outweigh its higher price. As step counts and volumes grow, Zapier often becomes the most expensive, Make the middle and n8n the cheapest, especially self-hosted where you pay only for infrastructure. Reddit threads comparing n8n vs Zapier reach the same conclusion: cost gaps widen at scale. Always model your real workflows against each vendor's current pricing page before deciding, as all three change plans regularly.
n8n vs Make for AI agents, and migrating from Zapier
For AI agents, n8n currently gives the most control. Its agent nodes support tool calling, memory, multiple models including Claude and OpenAI, and custom code, and it can act as an MCP client or server. Make offers AI modules and agent features that are simpler to configure but less flexible. Zapier has Zapier Agents and AI steps that are easiest for quick assistants on top of its app library. For n8n vs Make for AI agents, choose n8n when the agent needs custom logic or many tools, and Make when the AI step is one part of a mostly visual flow.
Migrating from Zapier to n8n is common and manageable, but there is no one-click import. Each Zap is rebuilt as an n8n workflow, credentials are reconnected and outputs are tested side by side. Most teams migrate the highest-volume or most expensive Zaps first, which is also where the savings are, and keep simple ones on Zapier until they need changing.
How it works
- 1
Inventory current automations
We list existing Zaps, scenarios or scripts with their step counts, volumes and monthly cost.
- 2
Model costs on each platform
We price your real workloads on Zapier, Make and n8n using current plans.
- 3
Recommend a platform mix
You get a recommendation that may keep simple flows where they are and move heavy ones.
- 4
Rebuild and test side by side
Migrated workflows run in parallel with the originals until outputs match.
- 5
Cut over with approvals
We switch over in stages, with a person approving any AI step that sends, pays or deletes.
Before and after
Typical ranges from comparable deployments. Your baseline is measured before anything is built.
Tools it works with
- n8n
- Make
- Zapier
- Power Automate
- Claude
- OpenAI
- HubSpot
- Google Sheets
- Slack
- Airtable