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n8n vs Zapier for Agencies (2026): Which Is Better?
By Red Kite Search Agency Created Updated 7 min read
Summary
Choose n8n for self-hosting, control, and low cost at volume. Choose Zapier for ease and the widest app coverage. Prices and ratings were checked in October 2026.
n8n vs Zapier: which is better for agencies in 2026?
n8n and Zapier sit at opposite ends of the automation range. Zapier is no-code, hosted, and easy. n8n is technical, self-hostable, and cheaper at volume.
We compared price, hosting, and reviews.
| Tool | Editorial score | Review-site ratings | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| n8n | 4.4 / 5 | G2 4.7 | Starter $20, Pro $50 and Business $800 a month on annual billing; Enterprise is quoted. A free self-hosted edition is available on GitHub. | Small teams to enterprises |
| Zapier | 4.4 / 5 | G2 4.5 | Free for 100 tasks a month. Professional from $19.99 and Team from $69 a month on yearly billing (the page says yearly saves 33%); Enterprise is quoted. | Individuals to enterprises |
How do n8n and Zapier compare on price?
n8n costs $20, $50, or $800 a month on annual billing, with a free self-hosted edition. Zapier has a free plan, and Professional starts from $19.99 and Team from $69 a month on yearly billing.
| Tool | Plan | Price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| n8n | Starter | $20 per month (annual billing) | 2.5K executions a month; 1 shared project; 5 concurrent executions; 1,600 assistant credits; forum support |
| n8n | Pro | $50 per month (annual billing) | 10K executions; 3 shared projects; 50 concurrent executions; admin roles; workflow history |
| n8n | Business | $800 per month (annual billing) | 40K executions; 6 shared projects; SSO and LDAP; multiple environments; Git version control; self-hosted only |
| n8n | Enterprise | Contact sales | Custom executions; unlimited projects; 200+ concurrent executions; SLA support; log streaming |
| Zapier | Free | $0 | 100 tasks a month; unlimited Zaps, Tables and Forms; two-step Zaps |
| Zapier | Professional | $19.99 per month (annual billing) | Starting from; multi-step Zaps, unlimited premium apps, webhooks, email and live chat support |
| Zapier | Team | $69 per month (annual billing) | Starting from; 25 users, shared Zaps and folders, shared app connections, SAML SSO, priority support |
| Zapier | Enterprise | Contact for pricing | Unlimited users, advanced admin and app controls, observability, technical account manager, annual task limits |
Which costs less at volume?
n8n, because it counts a whole workflow run as one execution however many steps it has, while Zapier counts every step as a task. Self-hosting removes the license cost entirely.
Zapier is cheaper to start, with a free plan and no servers to run.
A long, many-step workflow is where the gap is widest, so price your longest automation in both.
Which is easier for a non-technical team?
Zapier, by a wide margin. n8n assumes some technical comfort, especially if you self-host, and its support is forum-based until Enterprise.
If a non-developer will maintain the automations, choose Zapier.
For an agency, the people who will edit the automations matter as much as the people who build them, so pick the tool your team will actually keep tidy.
Run a short pilot with real client data before you commit, and keep notes on cost, time spent, and failures so the decision rests on evidence rather than on pricing pages.
Which offers more control?
n8n, with self-hosting, Git version control, multiple environments on Business, and hosted data in Frankfurt. Zapier offers shared folders, shared connections, and SAML SSO on Team but no self-hosting.
Neither page confirmed SOC 2, so ask both for documents.
If you are unsure, run one real client automation on each for two weeks and compare the cost and the hours spent maintaining it, since hidden upkeep often outweighs the license difference.
How do n8n and Zapier compare on integrations, security, and support?
Beyond price, agencies ask about connections to their other tools, what to tell clients about security, and how quickly they can get help. This is what each vendor states publicly, as checked in October 2026.
| Area | n8n | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Integrations | All integrations (nodes) included on every plan; a count was not stated | More than 9,000 apps |
| Security | SSO and LDAP on Business; enforced 2FA on Enterprise; Hosted data is stored in Frankfurt, Germany; self-hosted data stays where you host it; SOC 2 and GDPR status were not stated on the pages checked | SAML SSO on Team and Enterprise; SOC 2, GDPR and data hosting were not stated (the security page returned an error) |
| Support | Starter, Pro and Business: forum support; Enterprise: dedicated support with an SLA | Professional: email and live chat; Team: priority, 24/7 email and weekday live chat; Enterprise: screen-sharing support and a technical account manager |
| Apps | Mobile apps were not stated | Mobile apps were not stated |
What are the pros and cons of n8n and Zapier?
Here is where each tool helps agencies and where it can get in the way, based on plan details and public feedback.
n8n pros
- Executions are counted per workflow run regardless of steps, starting at $20 a month for 2.5K executions on annual billing.
- All integrations are included on every plan.
- A self-hosted version is available on GitHub, and hosted data is stored in Frankfurt.
- Business adds SSO and LDAP, multiple environments and Git version control.
n8n cons
- Business costs $800 a month and is self-hosted only.
- Starter has 1 shared project and Pro 3.
- SOC 2, GDPR and an integration count were not stated on the pages checked.
- Enforced 2FA is Enterprise only, and dedicated support is Enterprise only.
Zapier pros
- More than 9,000 app integrations.
- A free plan with unlimited Zaps and 100 tasks a month.
- Professional from $19.99 a month on yearly billing, with multi-step Zaps, webhooks and live chat.
- Team adds 25 users, shared Zaps and folders, shared app connections and SAML SSO.
Zapier cons
- Prices rise with the monthly task tier and the listed prices are starting prices at the lowest tier.
- Free is limited to two-step Zaps and 100 tasks.
- Team starts at $69 a month and is needed for shared workspaces and SSO.
- Security certifications and mobile apps were not stated; client-specific app connections were not described.
What do reviewers say about n8n and Zapier?
G2 shows n8n at 4.7 from 319 reviews and Zapier at 4.5 from 2,088 reviews. n8n scores higher and Zapier has the far larger base.
| Tool | Source | Rating | Number of reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| n8n | G2 | 4.7 / 5 | 319 |
| Zapier | G2 | 4.5 / 5 | 2,088 |
Reviewer themes for n8n
- G2 shows n8n at 4.7 from 319 reviews.
- G2 data shows 87% of reviewers give five stars.
- Reviewers praise the visual workflow builder for designing complex automations.
Reviewer themes for Zapier
- G2 shows Zapier at 4.5 from 2,088 reviews.
- Reviewers value how easily it connects apps without code.
- AI steps, code and the SDK follow the same task-based pricing model.
How does setup differ between n8n and Zapier?
Getting value from either tool depends on how you set it up, and the first steps differ. Here is the practical starting point for each.
n8n: Try the self-hosted edition or a Starter plan with one workflow that matters.
Zapier: Start on the free plan and build one two-step Zap that saves time on a real client task.
What should agencies check before choosing between n8n and Zapier?
Small details in plans and limits decide whether a tool works in practice. Check these points for each tool during a trial on a real client account.
Before you buy n8n
- Decide between cloud and self-hosted.
- Estimate monthly executions.
- Read the licence terms.
- Try the self-hosted edition.
Before you buy Zapier
- Estimate monthly tasks per client.
- Decide who owns client connections.
- Ask for security documents.
- Start on the free plan.
How should you test n8n and Zapier before deciding?
The fairest test is to run both tools on the same real client account for two weeks, with the same people, and compare the results rather than first impressions.
What to measure
- How long it takes a new team member to be productive in n8n versus Zapier.
- How often people open each tool without being reminded.
- Whether the plan you need includes the features you tested, not just the entry price.
- How a client reacts if you invite them to either tool.
- How much time the team spends on notifications, setup, and cleanup each week.
Which should you choose: n8n or Zapier?
Choose n8n for self-hosting, control, and low cost at volume. Choose Zapier for ease and the widest app coverage.
Technical agencies lean toward n8n.
Choose n8n if
- You are a technical team.
- You want self-hosting and Git version control.
- You want execution-based pricing.
Skip n8n if
- You want a no-code, hosted tool only.
- You need SOC 2 stated up front.
- You cannot manage servers.
Choose Zapier if
- You want the widest app coverage.
- You want to start free and without code.
- You want shared folders and SSO on Team.
Skip Zapier if
- You run very high volumes on a tight budget.
- You need self-hosting.
- You need security certifications confirmed up front.
Frequently asked questions
- Is n8n or Zapier better?
- n8n for technical teams and cost at volume, Zapier for ease and coverage.
- Which is cheaper?
- n8n at volume, and Zapier to start.
- Which can be self-hosted?
- n8n.
- Which has more apps?
- Zapier lists more than 9,000, and n8n includes all its integrations on every plan.
- Which has a higher G2 score?
- n8n.
Sources
Prices, plan limits, and ratings were gathered in October 2026 from:
- n8n pricing page
- Zapier pricing page
- G2