n8n vs Zapier
Is it time to switch? We break down the differences so you can stop bleeding money.
Choose n8n.
If you want to own your data, save money, and avoid vendor lock-in, n8n is open source and community-driven.
What Actually Matters
No fluff — just the differences that affect your decision
n8n is open source (Sustainable Use License). Zapier isn't. You can fork it, audit it, host it yourself — no permission needed. That matters.
n8n lets you self-host with Docker — your data, your rules. Zapier? Cloud only. If privacy matters, that's a dealbreaker.
n8n dominates with 207.3k GitHub stars vs 0. Bigger community = more plugins, more answers on Stack Overflow, faster bug fixes.
n8n is built in TypeScript — you can read the source, contribute, or fork it. Zapier is closed-source, so you're trusting their engineering.
Try both — most offer free tiers. The right pick depends on your stack size, team, and tolerance for DevOps.
n8n
Fair-code workflow automation tool. Easily automate tasks across different services.
Why Choose n8n
- ✓Self-hosted workflow automation with 400+ integrations
- ✓Visual node-based editor for complex multi-step workflows
- ✓JavaScript/Python code nodes for custom logic
Drawbacks
- ×Requires hosting knowledge
Zapier
The pioneer in workflow automation for everyone.
Why Choose Zapier
- ✓Connect 6,000+ apps without code
- ✓Easy visual workflow builder
- ✓Reliable trigger-based automation
Drawbacks
- ×Gets expensive fast (per-task pricing)
- ×Limited logic and branching on lower tiers
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