About 24; min
Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), and n8n all connect your apps and automate workflows. But n8n is open-source and free to self-host. Make gives you 13x more operations per dollar than Zapier. And Zapier has 7,000+ app integrations that neither competitor matches.
We covered Zapier’s pricing in an earlier article. This one goes deeper into Make and n8n — the two alternatives that save teams thousands per year — and compares all three head-to-head.
Quick Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Zapier | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 100 tasks/mo, 5 Zaps | 1,000 ops/mo, 2 scenarios | Free (self-hosted, unlimited) |
| Starter/Core | $29.99/mo (750 tasks) | $10.59/mo (10K ops) | $24/mo cloud (2,500 executions) |
| Pro/Standard | $103.50/mo (2K tasks) | $18.82/mo (20K ops) | $60/mo cloud |
| Team/Enterprise | $103.50+/mo | $34.12/mo (40K ops) | Custom |
The price gap is dramatic. Make’s $10.59/month plan includes 10,000 operations — Zapier charges $29.99 for 750 tasks. That’s 13x more automations per dollar on Make.
Understanding the Pricing Models
Zapier: Tasks
A “task” is any action step that runs successfully. A 5-step Zap triggered once uses 4 tasks (trigger is free, each action counts). Multi-step Zaps burn through tasks fast — 50 form submissions through a 4-action Zap = 200 tasks.
Make: Operations
An “operation” is any module that processes data. Make counts similarly to Zapier tasks, but the included volume is 10–13x higher per dollar. Make also lets you build much more complex scenarios with routers, filters, and error handling — all counting as operations.
n8n: Executions
Self-hosted n8n counts nothing — unlimited executions, unlimited workflows, forever. Cloud n8n counts “executions” (workflow runs), not individual steps. A 10-step workflow triggered once = 1 execution on n8n cloud vs 9 tasks on Zapier. This makes n8n cloud dramatically cheaper for complex workflows.
Make: The Value Champion
Make’s Strengths Over Zapier
- Visual workflow builder: Make’s scenario editor is a visual canvas where you drag modules, draw connections, and see data flow. Zapier’s linear step-by-step editor can’t match Make’s visual clarity for complex workflows
- Error handling: Built-in error routes let you define what happens when a step fails — retry, send alert, use fallback data, or route to a different path. Zapier’s error handling is basic retry-only
- Routers: Split workflow paths based on conditions. One trigger → multiple outcomes based on data values. Zapier requires separate Zaps or Paths (limited to 2 branches on Professional)
- Data manipulation: Built-in functions for text, math, dates, arrays, and JSON — within the workflow, no external tools needed. Complex data transformations that require Zapier Formatter (which uses extra tasks) are native in Make
- HTTP/Webhooks: Make’s HTTP module connects to any API with full request customization — headers, body, auth, pagination. More flexible than Zapier’s Webhooks for custom API integrations
- 10–13x more operations per dollar: The math is simple. $10.59 for 10K ops vs $29.99 for 750 tasks. Make wins on pure cost efficiency at every tier
Make’s Weaknesses
- 1,800+ integrations vs Zapier’s 7,000+: Make covers major apps but misses niche tools. If your workflow depends on an obscure CRM or industry-specific tool, check Make’s app directory first
- Steeper learning curve: The visual builder is powerful but takes 2–4 hours to learn. Zapier’s step-by-step wizard is understandable in 10 minutes
- Community size: Fewer tutorials, templates, and forum answers than Zapier. When you’re stuck, finding help takes longer
n8n: The Developer’s Automation Tool
n8n’s self-hosted version is the ultimate value: unlimited everything at $0 licensing. Deploy on a $5/month VPS and automate your entire business for the cost of a coffee.
n8n’s Strengths
- Free self-hosting: Unlimited workflows, unlimited executions, no feature restrictions. The cheapest automation platform — period
- Custom code nodes: Write JavaScript or Python within any workflow. When a pre-built integration doesn’t exist, write the API call yourself. Zapier and Make have limited code capabilities
- Execution-based cloud pricing: A 10-step workflow = 1 execution on n8n vs 9 tasks on Zapier. Complex workflows cost 5–10x less on n8n cloud than Zapier
- AI workflow support: Native nodes for OpenAI, Anthropic, local LLMs, vector databases, and chain-of-thought workflows. Purpose-built for AI automation that Zapier handles clumsily
- Self-hosted = data stays on your servers: For companies with data privacy requirements, n8n processes everything on your infrastructure. Zapier and Make route data through their servers
- Open source (fair-code): Inspect the code, contribute fixes, and understand exactly how your data is processed. Neither Zapier nor Make offers this transparency
n8n’s Weaknesses
- 400+ nodes vs Zapier’s 7,000+ apps: Smallest integration library. Major apps are covered but long-tail integrations often require custom HTTP nodes
- Self-hosting requires DevOps: Running n8n on your own server means managing updates, backups, monitoring, and scaling. Not for non-technical teams
- Cloud pricing isn’t cheap for simple workflows: n8n Cloud at $24/month for 2,500 executions isn’t cheaper than Make ($10.59 for 10K ops) for simple automations. n8n’s value is in self-hosting or complex multi-step workflows
- UX less polished: The workflow editor works well for developers but feels technical compared to Zapier’s consumer-friendly interface. Non-technical users need training
Cost Comparison at Different Volumes
Low volume (500 automations/month, simple 3-step workflows)
| Platform | Plan Needed | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| n8n self-hosted | Free | $5 (VPS) |
| Make Free | 1K ops covers it | $0 |
| Zapier Free | 100 tasks — not enough, need $29.99 | $29.99 |
| n8n Cloud | 500 executions within 2,500 | $24 |
Medium volume (5,000 automations/month, 5-step average workflows)
| Platform | Tasks/Ops Needed | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| n8n self-hosted | Unlimited | $10 (VPS) |
| Make Core | ~20K ops | $18.82 |
| n8n Cloud Pro | 5K executions | $60 |
| Zapier Team | ~20K tasks | $103.50+ |
High volume (50,000 automations/month)
| Platform | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| n8n self-hosted | $20–$50 (larger VPS) |
| Make Teams | $82 (multiple packs) |
| n8n Cloud | Custom (~$200+) |
| Zapier | $500+ (Enterprise) |
At every volume, self-hosted n8n is cheapest. Make is the cheapest managed option. Zapier is consistently the most expensive — 3–10x more than alternatives for equivalent automation volume.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Zapier | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|---|
| App integrations | 7,000+ (best) | 1,800+ | 400+ nodes |
| Visual builder | Linear (simple) | Canvas (best) | Canvas (good) |
| Error handling | Basic retry | Error routes (best) | Error workflow |
| Conditional logic | Paths (2 branches) | Routers (unlimited) | IF nodes (unlimited) |
| Custom code | Code by Zapier (limited) | Custom functions (limited) | JavaScript/Python (best) |
| AI/LLM nodes | ChatGPT action | OpenAI module | AI Agent nodes (best) |
| Self-hosting | No | No | Yes (free) |
| Open source | No | No | Yes (fair-code) |
| Webhook triggers | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Scheduling | Every 1 min (Team) | Every 1 min (Core) | Cron (any interval) |
| Learning curve | Low (10 min) | Medium (2–4 hrs) | High (1–2 days) |
| Support | Email + chat | Community (self-hosted) / Email (cloud) |
Who Should Pick What
Pick Zapier If:
- Your automations use niche apps that only Zapier integrates with (check the app directory first)
- Non-technical team members build and maintain workflows (simplest learning curve)
- You need automation working in 10 minutes, not 2 hours
- Budget is secondary to ease of use and support quality
- Your workflow volume is under 750 tasks/month (Professional plan covers it)
Pick Make If:
- Cost matters — 10–13x more operations per dollar than Zapier
- Complex workflows with branching, error handling, and data transformation are your use case
- You want the best visual workflow builder (canvas-based, not linear)
- Your apps are in Make’s 1,800+ integration library
- You’re comfortable with a moderate learning curve for significant cost savings
Pick n8n If:
- Self-hosting at $0 licensing is your target (technical teams with DevOps capacity)
- Custom code within workflows is needed (JavaScript/Python nodes)
- AI/LLM automation workflows are a primary use case (best AI nodes)
- Data privacy requires processing on your own infrastructure
- You’re a developer who thinks in code and wants maximum flexibility
Best for non-technical teams: Zapier — the easiest to learn, the most integrations, and the best support. Worth the premium for teams that value simplicity over savings.
Best value (managed): Make at $10.59/month — 13x more operations per dollar, better error handling, and a superior visual builder. The default recommendation for cost-conscious teams.
Best for developers: n8n self-hosted — unlimited automations at $0, custom code nodes, and the best AI workflow support. The power user’s choice.
Bottom line: Start with Make. If an integration is missing, check Zapier. If you need custom code or self-hosting, use n8n. Most teams don’t need Zapier’s premium pricing.
FAQ
Can I migrate from Zapier to Make?
No automated migration tool exists. You rebuild workflows in Make manually. The logic transfers conceptually but the implementation is different (Make’s canvas vs Zapier’s linear steps). Budget 30 minutes per simple Zap, 2–3 hours per complex one.
Is n8n self-hosted really free?
Yes. n8n uses a “fair-code” license (Sustainable Use License). Free for self-hosting with no feature restrictions. You can’t resell n8n as a service, but running it for your own business is fully permitted. You pay only for server hosting ($5–$50/month depending on workload).
Which is best for e-commerce automation?
Zapier has the most e-commerce integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, etc.). Make covers the major platforms. n8n handles Shopify and WooCommerce natively; others require HTTP nodes. For e-commerce-specific workflows, Zapier’s integration depth gives it an edge.
Can Make or n8n handle as much volume as Zapier?
Yes. Make handles millions of operations monthly for enterprise customers. n8n self-hosted scales with your server capacity — add more RAM and CPU for more throughput. Neither has fundamental volume limitations that Zapier doesn’t also have.
