TL;DR. Pick n8n if you have a developer, want to self-host, run AI agents, or your Zapier bill cleared 200 USD/month. Pick Zapier if you have under 1,500 task runs/month and zero technical resources. Pick Make.com if you are a marketing team without a developer but you have outgrown Zapier's branching. SkynetLabs migrates clients off Zapier to n8n by default — the math stops favoring Zapier above 200 USD/month and the gap widens fast.
The 90-Second Verdict
n8n
Self-host free or n8n Cloud from 20 USD/month. 400+ integrations, Code node (JS + Python), AI Agent node, LangChain primitives, vector stores. Fair-code license, full repo on GitHub.
Best for: agencies, technical founders, AI workflow builds, anyone over 5K runs/month.
Zapier
Cloud-only, simplest UX, 6,000+ pre-built integrations — the largest catalog. Per-task pricing punishes scale. Limited branching. AI features added in 2024 but lag n8n.
Best for: non-technical founders, under 1,500 runs/month, obscure SaaS niche apps.
Make.com
Op-based pricing (cheaper than Zapier per "task"), the prettiest visual builder, strong scenario branching. Cloud-only, weak code escape hatch, weaker AI ecosystem than n8n.
Best for: marketing ops teams, mid-volume scenarios, no developer in seat.
Side-by-Side: 14 Criteria That Matter
| Criterion | n8n | Zapier | Make.com |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-hosting | Yes (Docker, free) | No | No |
| Free tier | Unlimited (self-host) | 100 tasks/mo | 1,000 ops/mo |
| Native integrations | 400+ | 6,000+ | 1,800+ |
| Code node | JavaScript + Python | JS only, paid plans | Limited HTTP only |
| AI Agent node | First-class, LangChain-style | AI Actions, basic | OpenAI module only |
| Vector DB nodes | Pinecone, Qdrant, Supabase, Weaviate | No native | Pinecone only |
| Branching/loops | Native + Switch + Loop | Paths (paid plans) | Strong, visual |
| Error handling | Per-node + workflow-level | Auto-replay only | Strong |
| Webhook support | Unlimited, free | Premium feature | Yes |
| Pricing model | Workflow execution | Per-task (punishing) | Op-based |
| Visual builder UX | Functional, dev-leaning | Cleanest for newbies | Prettiest, most intuitive |
| Open source | Fair-code, GitHub | Closed | Closed |
| SOC2 / GDPR | Self-host = your control | SOC2, GDPR | SOC2, GDPR, ISO |
| SkynetLabs default | Yes — primary stack | Migration source | Mid-tier client only |
Total Cost: 1k vs 10k vs 100k Runs/Month
This is the single chart that decides most migrations. Run a workflow that triggers a few thousand times per month? Zapier eats 30% of your software budget. Run more? It eats half.
Numbers updated May 2026 from each vendor's public pricing page. n8n self-hosted runs on a Hostinger KVM 2 (2 vCPU, 8GB RAM, 5–10 USD/month) which we have measured handling 100K+ executions monthly without hitting CPU.
When Zapier Actually Wins
Three scenarios. Honest accounting:
- You have under 1,500 runs/month. The 19.99 USD plan is fine, the UX is the easiest in the category, the time-to-first-Zap is 10 minutes.
- You depend on a niche SaaS Zapier supports and n8n does not. Zapier's 6,000+ catalog covers obscure industry tools (insurance, legal, niche e-commerce) that n8n only reaches via HTTP node. If you cannot afford a developer to write the HTTP wrapper, Zapier wins.
- You want zero ops. Even n8n Cloud requires understanding workflows. Zapier abstracts everything. For a non-technical solopreneur running 5 simple integrations, it is the right call.
When n8n Actually Wins
- Anything AI. Agents, RAG, multi-step LLM chains, vector store memory — n8n's lead is widest here and growing.
- Bills over 200 USD/month. Migration pays for itself in 60–90 days.
- Branching, loops, error handling. Zapier's Paths are limited; n8n is fully programmable.
- Self-hosted compliance requirements. Healthcare, legal, EU-residency clients — n8n on your own server with your own logs.
- Custom logic. The Code node turns n8n into a real ETL platform. Zapier's Code by Zapier is hobbled by quotas and timeouts.
The Migration Path
SkynetLabs migration playbook for clients moving from Zapier or Make to n8n:
- Audit: export every Zap/scenario, log frequency, classify by criticality.
- Rebuild: recreate as n8n workflows in a staging instance. Match input/output schemas exactly.
- Parallel run: for one billing cycle, both run in parallel. Compare outputs. Fix deltas.
- Cut over: point production webhooks to n8n. Disable Zapier Zaps. Keep Zapier active for 30 days as rollback insurance.
- Decommission: cancel Zapier. Archive logs. Document the new system in a runbook.
Typical timeline: 5 working days for 12 Zaps. Fixed price 1,500 USD. Average client saves 4,800–7,200 USD/year on platform fees alone, plus capability upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is n8n really cheaper than Zapier?
Yes, once you cross roughly 5,000 task runs per month. Self-hosted n8n on a 6 USD/month VPS handles 100,000+ runs at no marginal cost. Zapier on the same volume is 599+ USD/month on the Team plan. Break-even is around 1,500 runs/month against Zapier Starter.
Can n8n do everything Zapier does?
Functionally yes. 400+ native integrations, Code node (JS + Python), HTTP nodes for any REST or GraphQL API. Zapier wins on obscure SaaS pre-builds. n8n wins on branching, loops, error handling, code escape hatch.
Should I self-host or use n8n Cloud?
Self-host if you have a developer or run more than 10,000 executions/month. n8n Cloud (20 USD/month Starter) if you want zero ops and have under 5,000. SkynetLabs deploys client n8n on a 5–10 USD/month Hostinger KVM 2; the cost difference funds another headcount within a quarter.
How long does a Zapier to n8n migration take?
Three days to two weeks depending on volume. We rebuild Zaps as workflows, run both in parallel for one billing cycle, validate output parity, then cut over. Typical SkynetLabs migration: 12 Zaps in 5 working days, fixed 1,500 USD.
What about Make.com?
Make is the best mid-tier option for marketing teams without a developer. Cheaper than Zapier, more visual than n8n, op-based pricing. Cloud-only, no real code escape hatch. We migrate Make clients to n8n only when they outgrow branching limits.
Can I run AI agents inside n8n?
Yes. First-class AI nodes for OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, plus a LangChain-style Agent node, vector store nodes for Pinecone/Qdrant/Supabase pgvector, and a Code node for custom logic. AI workflows are where n8n's lead over Zapier is widest in 2026.