Zapier is the fastest way to connect two SaaS apps if you've never automated anything before. n8n is the right answer once your automation hits more than a handful of steps, needs branching or loops, or starts costing real money on per-task plans. The crossover usually happens around the 50,000-tasks-per-month line.
Open-source workflow automation with 400+ nodes, self-hostable for free, unlimited executions on your own server. Pair with pre-built templates from n8n Template Store for instant time-to-value.
Pricing: n8n: free self-hosted, n8n Cloud from €20/mo. n8n Template Store templates: one-time $7–$29 each, bundle covers full catalog.
SaaS automation platform with the broadest integration catalog (7,000+ apps). Per-task pricing, no self-hosting, optimised for the no-code beginner.
Pricing: Free tier (single-step Zaps only), Professional from $19.99/mo (2,000 tasks), Team from $69/mo, Enterprise custom.
| Feature | n8n | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hostable n8n self-host runs on a $5–$10/mo VPS with unlimited executions. | Yes | No |
| Pricing model | Free self-hosted; one-time template purchase | Per-task subscription ($19.99–$799/mo) |
| Integration count | 400+ native nodes + HTTP Request for any REST API | 7,000+ pre-built app integrations |
| Branching (if / switch / multi-path) | Yes | Paths feature — Professional plan and above |
| Loops & iteration over arrays | Yes | Limited (beta Looping feature) |
| Inline code (JavaScript / Python) | JavaScript or Python in every Code node | Code by Zapier (sandboxed, time-limited) |
| Sub-workflows / reusable components | Yes | No |
| Error handling & retry policies | Per-node retries + dedicated error triggers | Basic retries, no error-trigger workflows |
| Data residency | Your server (self-hosted) or EU (n8n Cloud) | US or EU (plan-dependent), Zapier-hosted |
| Learning curve | Moderate | Low |
| Ready-made workflow templates | Yes — n8n Template Store catalog, one-time purchase | Vendor template gallery (varies in depth) |
Self-hosted n8n runs unlimited executions on a $5/mo VPS. A workflow that processes 5,000 form submissions through 4 steps would burn 20,000 Zapier tasks in a day — that's the entire Professional plan in one day. n8n removes that meter entirely.
Iterating over an array in n8n is one node. In Zapier, looping over more than ~10 items requires the beta Looping feature plus workarounds. Multi-path workflows are gated behind Professional or higher.
Need to reshape JSON, parse a malformed date, or call a private API? Drop in a Code node. Zapier's Code by Zapier exists but is sandboxed, time-limited, and feels bolted on. n8n's Code node is part of the canvas.
n8n Template Store sells the workflow JSON directly — import it, paste credentials, activate. No marketplace markup on every execution.
Zapier wins when you need a one-step integration with a niche SaaS that has no public API but has a Zapier connector. The 7,000+ app catalog covers tools that n8n can only reach via custom HTTP requests.
You need a single-step automation between two SaaS tools, you have zero developer time, and your monthly task volume is under 750.
You're running more than 5,000 tasks/month, you need branching or loops, you want your data on your own server, or you'd rather pay once for a template than pay per task forever.
Pre-built n8n workflow template that automates lead generation with OpenAI. Live in about 10 minutes.
Pre-built n8n workflow template that automates content creation with Google Sheets. Live in about 15 minutes.
Pre-built n8n workflow template that automates finance with Stripe API. Live in about 20 minutes.
Want the full catalog? Browse every n8n Template Store template.