n8n vs Make vs Zapier 2026
The definitive comparison of workflow automation tools for developers, teams, and businesses. Compare pricing, integrations, self-hosting, AI capabilities, and find the best automation platform for your needs.
Quick Verdict
Best for developers who want self-hosting, code execution, and AI-native workflows with full control.
Best visual builder for complex automation logic. Great balance of power and usability with 3,000+ integrations.
Best for non-technical users who need the widest integration library (8,000+ apps) and simplest setup.
Platform Overview
Three very different approaches to workflow automation. Here's what each tool brings to the table.
n8n
Fair-code workflow automation (TypeScript)
Free (self-hosted)
Cloud from €20/month
- 174,100+ GitHub stars
- 400+ native integrations
- Self-host free (community edition)
- Built-in LangChain + AI agents
- JS/Python code execution in workflows
- Unlimited users & workflows on all plans
Best for: Developers, self-hosting, AI workflows, and full control
Make
Visual workflow automation platform
Free — $0/month
1,000 credits/month included
- 3,000+ app integrations
- Visual drag-and-drop builder
- Routers, filters, iterators, aggregators
- 350+ AI app integrations
- SOC 2, SSO, GDPR compliant
- Beautiful scenario visualization
Best for: Teams needing complex visual workflows with powerful logic
Zapier
No-code automation for everyone
Free — $0/month
100 tasks/month, 2-step Zaps
- 8,000+ app integrations (largest)
- Simplest setup — no learning curve
- Zapier Tables, Forms, MCP included
- Zapier AI Agents (new)
- Multi-step Zaps with branching
- Great for non-technical users
Best for: Non-technical users, largest app library, simplest automation
Pricing Breakdown
Pricing models differ significantly — n8n charges per execution, Make uses credits, and Zapier counts tasks. Understanding these differences is key to predicting your real costs.
n8n (Cloud)
Self-hosted, unlimited everything
2,500 executions, 5 concurrent
10,000 executions, 20 concurrent
40,000 executions
SSO, SAML, dedicated infra
Make
1,000 credits, 15-min interval
10,000 credits
10,000 credits + priority exec
Team roles & collaboration
SSO, SAML, dedicated support
Zapier
100 tasks, 2-step Zaps only
Multi-step, unlimited premium apps
25 members, shared workspace
Admin controls, SSO, audit logs
💰 Real Cost Example: 5,000 workflow runs/month
| Platform | Plan Needed | Monthly Cost | Cost / Run |
|---|---|---|---|
🔧 n8n (self-hosted) | Community | $0* | $0.00 |
🔧 n8n (cloud) | Pro | ~€50/mo | €0.005 |
🟣 Make | Core / Pro | ~$9–$16/mo | ~$0.002 |
âš¡ Zapier | Professional | ~$49/mo | ~$0.01 |
*Self-hosted n8n is free but requires your own server ($5–$20/month on DigitalOcean/Railway). Credits-to-runs ratio for Make depends on scenario complexity.
Feature Comparison
A detailed breakdown of what each platform offers across key categories.
Core Platform
Developer Features
AI & Automation
Workflow Logic
Enterprise & Security
Deep Dive: n8n
n8n (pronounced "nodemation") is a fair-code licensed workflow automation tool with 174,100+ GitHub stars, making it one of the most popular open-source automation projects. Built in TypeScript (91.2%), it offers a visual workflow editor combined with the ability to write custom JavaScript or Python code within any workflow node.
Key Strengths
- • Self-hosting: Run free on your own server with full data control
- • AI-native: Built-in LangChain integration, AI agent workflows
- • Code execution: Run JavaScript and Python directly in nodes
- • Version control: Git integration for workflow management
- • No workflow limits: Unlimited users & workflows on all plans
- • AI Starter Kit: Self-hosted AI toolkit for rapid prototyping
Considerations
- • Learning curve: Steeper than Zapier for non-technical users
- • Fewer integrations: 400+ vs Make (3K+) or Zapier (8K+)
- • Self-hosting overhead: Requires server management knowledge
- • Fair-code license: Not strictly open-source (resale restrictions)
- • Cloud pricing: Can be pricier than Make for high-volume cloud use
🔥 2025 Update: n8n removed active workflow limits across all plans, meaning you get unlimited users and workflows on every tier. They also launched the AI Starter Kit for self-hosted AI prototyping with LangChain.
# Self-host n8n with Docker in under 2 minutes
docker run -it --rm \
--name n8n \
-p 5678:5678 \
-v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n \
n8nio/n8n
# Access at http://localhost:5678
Deep Dive: Make
Make (formerly Integromat) is a cloud-only visual workflow automation platform with 3,000+ app integrations. It's known for its beautiful drag-and-drop builder that excels at complex automation logic with routers, filters, iterators, and aggregators. The visual approach makes it easier to understand multi-path workflows at a glance.
Key Strengths
- • Visual builder: Beautiful drag-and-drop with scenario visualization
- • Complex logic: Routers, filters, iterators, aggregators built-in
- • 3,000+ integrations: Wide app coverage for most use cases
- • 350+ AI apps: Extensive AI/ML integration options
- • Affordable entry: Core plan at just $9/month with 10K credits
- • Enterprise-ready: SOC 2, SSO, GDPR compliance built-in
Considerations
- • Cloud-only: No self-hosting option — data stays on Make servers
- • Credit-based pricing: Complex to predict; varies by operation type
- • No code execution: Limited scripting vs n8n's full JS/Python support
- • No version control: No git integration for workflow management
- • Learning curve: Visual builder is powerful but takes time to master
📢 2026 Pricing Update: Make transitioned from "Operations" to "Credits" billing in 2026. Credits provide more granular billing — different operations cost different amounts of credits. Simple triggers may cost 1 credit while complex data transformations cost more. Check Make's pricing calculator for accurate estimates.
Deep Dive: Zapier
Zapier is the most popular no-code automation platform with the largest integration library at 8,000+ apps. It's designed for simplicity — even non-technical users can set up automations (called "Zaps") in minutes. Zapier has expanded well beyond simple triggers and actions, now offering Tables, Forms, MCP, and AI Agents.
Key Strengths
- • 8,000+ integrations: Largest library by far — if an app exists, Zapier connects to it
- • Simplest setup: No learning curve for basic automations
- • Zapier Tables: Built-in database for storing automation data
- • Zapier Forms: Collect data that triggers Zaps directly
- • MCP support: Model Context Protocol integration included
- • AI Agents: New AI-powered automation agents
Considerations
- • Most expensive at scale: Task-based pricing adds up quickly
- • Free tier limitations: Only 100 tasks/month, two-step Zaps only
- • No self-hosting: Cloud-only, no data sovereignty control
- • Limited logic: Less sophisticated branching than Make or n8n
- • No code execution: Basic "Code by Zapier" step only
🆕 New in 2025–2026: Zapier now includes Tables (a built-in database), Forms (for data collection), and MCP (Model Context Protocol) at no extra cost on all plans. They also launched Zapier AI Agents — AI-powered bots that can autonomously execute multi-step Zaps based on natural language instructions.
AI & Automation Capabilities
AI is the biggest differentiator in 2026. All three platforms have invested heavily, but their approaches are very different.
n8n: AI-Native with LangChain
n8n has the deepest AI integration of the three. It ships with built-in LangChain nodes for building AI agent workflows, supports vector stores (Pinecone, Qdrant, Supabase), and offers a self-hosted AI Starter Kit for teams that want to run AI workflows entirely on their own infrastructure. You can chain LLMs, add memory, use tools, and build complex RAG pipelines — all visually.
Make: 350+ AI App Integrations
Make takes an integration-first approach to AI, offering connectors to 350+ AI apps and services including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google AI, Hugging Face, and more. While it doesn't have native LangChain-level tooling, you can build sophisticated AI workflows by chaining these integrations with Make's powerful visual logic (routers, filters, iterators).
Zapier: AI Agents & MCP
Zapier launched AI Agents that can autonomously execute Zaps based on natural language prompts — useful for non-technical users who want AI-powered automation without building workflows manually. They also support MCP (Model Context Protocol) at no extra cost, enabling LLMs to interact directly with Zapier's 8,000+ integrations.
Self-Hosting: The n8n Advantage
One of n8n's biggest differentiators is self-hosting. Neither Make nor Zapier offer this option. For teams that need data sovereignty, compliance, or want to minimize recurring costs, this can be a game-changer.
When Self-Hosting Matters
- Sensitive data that can't leave your infrastructure
- HIPAA, GDPR, or industry compliance requirements
- High-volume workflows (10K+ runs/day) where cloud pricing gets expensive
- Internal tools that process proprietary business data
- AI workflows with self-hosted LLMs for full privacy
Self-Hosting Cost Comparison
Self-hosted n8n has no execution limits — you pay only for the server.
Decision Guide
Choose n8n if...
- You're a developer who wants full control and code execution
- Data privacy and self-hosting are requirements
- You're building AI agent workflows with LangChain
- You need version control and git integration for workflows
- High-volume automations where cloud pricing gets expensive
Choose Make if...
- You want a powerful visual builder with complex branching logic
- You need 3,000+ integrations without the Zapier price tag
- Your team is semi-technical — comfortable with visual tools
- Budget-conscious but need more than Zapier's free tier offers
- You want SOC 2 and enterprise security without enterprise pricing
Choose Zapier if...
- You're non-technical and want the easiest automation tool
- You need the widest integration library (8,000+ apps)
- You want built-in Tables, Forms, and AI Agents
- You're building simple, linear automations (not complex logic trees)
- Your team uses niche apps that only Zapier supports
For Enterprise Teams
All three offer enterprise plans. n8n is ideal for enterprises with strict data sovereignty requirements (self-hosted deployment). Make offers the best value for teams needing SOC 2 and SSO without top-tier pricing. Zapier wins if your organization already uses it widely and needs admin controls at scale.
For Startups & Indie Hackers
Start with Make (best free tier at 1,000 credits/month) or n8n self-hosted (completely free with no limits). Zapier's free tier at only 100 tasks/month with two-step Zaps is too restrictive for most real-world automation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is n8n really free?
Yes — the self-hosted community edition is completely free with no execution limits, no workflow limits, and unlimited users. You only pay for the server to host it (typically $5–$20/month on DigitalOcean, Railway, or Hetzner). n8n Cloud plans start at €20/month if you prefer a managed service.
How do Make "credits" work vs Zapier "tasks"?
Zapier tasks are straightforward: each action in a Zap that processes data counts as one task. Make credits (introduced in 2026, replacing "operations") vary by operation type — a simple trigger might cost 1 credit, while a complex data transformation costs more. Make generally offers more runs per dollar, but costs are harder to predict precisely.
Can I migrate workflows between these platforms?
There's no direct migration tool between n8n, Make, and Zapier — workflows need to be rebuilt manually. n8n workflows are stored as JSON and can be exported/imported easily. If you're considering a switch, start building new workflows on the target platform and migrate existing ones gradually.
Which is best for AI agent workflows?
n8n leads here with native LangChain integration, vector store support, and the self-hosted AI Starter Kit. Zapier's AI Agents are simpler but useful for non-technical users. Make has 350+ AI app connectors but lacks n8n's depth in agent orchestration. For serious AI automation, n8n is the clear winner.
What is n8n's "fair-code" license?
n8n uses a "fair-code" license (Sustainable Use License), which means: the source code is available on GitHub, you can self-host and modify it freely, but you cannot resell n8n as a service or offer it as part of a competing automation platform. For most users and companies, it behaves like open source — the restrictions only apply to competitors.
Can I use multiple automation tools together?
Absolutely. Many teams use Zapier for quick, simple integrations (email to Slack, form to spreadsheet) and n8n or Make for complex, multi-step workflows. You can trigger n8n or Make workflows via webhooks from Zapier, creating a hybrid automation setup that leverages each tool's strengths.
Which has better error handling?
n8n has the most advanced error handling with custom error workflows, retry logic, and detailed execution logs. Make is close behind with error routes, break/resume directives, and visual error paths in scenarios. Zapier offers basic error notifications and automatic retries but lacks sophisticated error routing.
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