Automation · Cost comparison
n8n vs Make vs ZapierThe same workflow. Up to 10× cost difference.
Verdict
For workflows with more than 5 steps running more than 500 times per month, n8n is almost always the cheapest option — often by 5 to 10×. Make is cheaper than Zapier at equivalent volume. Zapier is only worth it if you need its 8,000+ native integrations and your workflow is simple and low-volume. Self-hosted n8n is free beyond a basic VPS (~$6–15/month).
Why the billing model is everything
These platforms all automate workflows but count usage completely differently. This is the only thing that matters when comparing costs.
| Platform | Billing unit | Example: 10-step workflow × 1,000 runs | Units consumed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier | Per task (each step) | 10 steps × 1,000 runs | 10,000 tasks | 3 |
| Make | Per operation (each module) | 10 steps × 1,000 runs | 10,000 operations | |
| n8n | Per execution (full run) | 1,000 runs | 1,000 executions | 3 |
Plan pricing — March 2026
Annual billing shown. Monthly billing is 15–33% higher depending on platform.
| Platform | Free | Entry paid (annual) | Mid tier (annual) | Self-host | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier | 100 tasks/mo | $19.99/mo — 750 tasks | $69.00/mo — 2000 tasks | No | 4 |
| Make | 1,000 ops/mo | $9.00/mo — 10000 ops | $16.00/mo — 10000 ops | No | 4 |
| n8n | Trial only | €20.00/mo — 2500 exec | €50.00/mo — 10000 exec | Free ✓ | 4 |
n8n prices in EUR · Self-hosted n8n: VPS ~$6–15/month
Real-world cost examples
The same workflow at different volumes. These are the numbers that actually matter.
Light automation — side project or small team
5-step workflow: trigger → filter → transform → email → log to sheet. Runs 200 times/month.
Zapier
$19.99
1,000 tasks — upgrade needed
Make
$0
1,000 ops — free plan sufficient
n8n Cloud
€20
200 executions — Starter plan
Mid-scale automation — growing business
10-step workflow: CRM sync + enrichment + notifications + logging. Runs 1,000 times/month.
Zapier
$69–$125
10,000 tasks — Team plan
Make
$29.00/mo
10,000 ops — Teams plan
n8n Cloud
€20.00/mo
1,000 executions — Starter plan
High-volume AI pipeline — production workload
15-step AI workflow: scrape → classify → LLM call → enrich → store → notify. Runs 5,000 times/month.
Zapier
$500+
75,000 tasks — enterprise pricing
Make
$79–$159
75,000 ops — higher tier needed
n8n self-hosted
~$10
Unlimited executions — VPS only
When to choose each
Cost is not the only factor. Here is when each platform actually makes sense.
n8n
Complex multi-step workflows at volume
AI/LLM workflows — best native support
Technical team comfortable with setup
Data residency or compliance requirements
Budget matters at scale
Make
Visual builder preferred over code
Low-to-medium volume automations
Non-technical team needs to maintain flows
Complex branching logic without code
Zapier
Need a niche app (8,000+ integrations)
Simple 2–3 step workflows at low volume
Non-technical team, fastest setup priority
Already on Zapier and volume is low
Get your exact number
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Prices updated daily · Last fetch: Mar 26, 2026
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