n8n vs Zapier: which should builders use?
Both automate workflows across apps and both have AI agent features. n8n is fair-code and self-hostable, and bills per workflow execution. Zapier is a hosted no-code platform with the biggest app ecosystem.
 n8n |  Zapier | |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | n8n Cloud or self-host | Hosted only |
| License | Sustainable Use License (fair-code) | Proprietary |
| Billing unit | Workflow executions (unlimited steps) | Tasks |
| AI | AI agent nodes | Zapier Agents and Copilot |
| Pricing (approx.) | Cloud Starter ~€20/mo and Pro ~€50/mo (billed annually); self-hosting available | Free plan; Professional from ~$19.99/mo; Team from ~$69/mo |
| Our rankings | #1 in Agents & automation | #2 in Agents & automation |
Pick n8n if…
You're technical, want to self-host, or run many-step workflows.
Pick Zapier if…
You want the easiest setup and the widest app coverage.
Our verdict
n8n ranks #1 in our agents and automation ranking for builders; Zapier is #2 and the best pick for non-technical teams.
Pricing is approximate and was checked against vendor pages in Oct 2026. Confirm on n8n and Zapier before you buy.