n8n vs Zapier Comparison 2026

n8n vs Zapier:
Stop Paying the Task Tax

Why unlimited self-hosted n8n for $1.67/month destroys Zapier's expensive per-task pricing model. Complete feature, pricing, and migration comparison.

Unlimited
Tasks & Executions
95% Cheaper
Than Zapier
$1.67/month
vs $20-$600+

Trusted by 1,000+ teams who ditched Zapier's task limits

What is n8n?

n8n is a powerful, open-source workflow automation platform that lets you connect apps and automate tasks without code. Unlike Zapier, n8n is self-hosted, giving you unlimited executions, custom nodes, full data control, and zero per-task fees.

Unlimited Executions
No per-task pricing model
Open Source & Extensible
Custom nodes, full source access
Self-Hosted Control
Your data stays on your infrastructure

What is Zapier?

Zapier is a popular cloud-based automation platform that connects apps through pre-built integrations. While easy to use, Zapier charges per task executed, making it prohibitively expensive at scale. Most teams hit task limits quickly and pay $20-$600+/month.

Per-Task Pricing
Every execution costs money
Task Limits
Workflows stop when you hit caps
Closed Source
No customization or control

The Hidden Cost of Zapier's Task Model

Zapier's per-task pricing looks affordable until you actually use it. Here's the reality. Also see how this compares to Make.com vs n8n pricing.

How Zapier Costs Add Up

Zapier charges per "task" (each action in a workflow). This sounds reasonable until you realize:

  • $19.99/mo Starter: 750 tasks = runs out in 1-2 days for active workflows
  • $49/mo Professional: 2,000 tasks = insufficient for polling workflows
  • $299/mo Team: 50,000 tasks = still capped at scale
  • $599+/mo Company: 100,000 tasks = enterprise-level cost for basic automation

Annual cost: $240-$7,200+ per year with constant task anxiety

How n8n Eliminates Cost Anxiety

With self-hosted n8n on OpenHosst, there is no task-based pricing:

  • $1.67/month: Unlimited tasks, unlimited executions, unlimited workflows
  • No caps: Run workflows every minute, hour, or day without worrying
  • Predictable cost: $1.67/month forever, regardless of usage
  • Scale freely: Add more workflows without increasing your bill

Save $7,188/year vs Zapier Company plan ($599/mo)

Real-World Cost Calculation (Annual)

Usage Scenario Monthly Tasks Zapier Annual Cost n8n (OpenHosst) Cost Annual Savings
Light usage (few workflows) 2,000-5,000 $588/year $12/year $576/year
Medium usage (active automation) 10,000-20,000 $3,588/year $12/year $3,576/year
Heavy usage (polling + webhooks) 50,000-100,000 $7,188/year $12/year $7,176/year

n8n vs Zapier:
Complete Feature Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of every feature that matters for workflow automation. Get n8n self-hosted pricing from $1.67/month with unlimited executions.

Feature n8n (OpenHosst) Zapier
Monthly Cost (Starter) $1.67 $19.99
Task/Execution Limits Unlimited 750-100,000/mo
Workflow Count Unlimited Unlimited
Available Integrations 400+ built-in 7,000+
Custom Integrations Full Support Not Available
Code in Workflows JavaScript, Python Limited JS/Python
Self-Hosted Option Yes (Core Feature) No
Data Privacy Control Full Control Zapier Servers
Open Source Yes (Fair Code) No
Execution History Retention Unlimited 2 months (paid)
Error Workflow Handling Advanced Basic
Multi-User Collaboration Yes Yes (Team plan)
API Access Full REST API Yes
Visual Workflow Editor Yes Yes
Annual Cost Comparison $12/year $240-$7,200+/year

n8n vs Zapier vs Make (Integromat)

The three major workflow automation platforms compared across key metrics. For enterprise alternatives, see n8n vs Workato.

Category n8n (OpenHosst) Zapier Make
Entry Pricing $1.67/mo $19.99/mo $9/mo
Execution Limits Unlimited 750-100k/mo 1,000-10k/mo
Open Source Yes No No
Self-Hosting Yes No No
Visual Editor Advanced Simple Advanced
Code Support Full (JS/Python) Limited Limited
Data Control Your Servers Vendor Servers Vendor Servers
Learning Curve Moderate Easy Moderate
Best For Unlimited automation Simple workflows Complex scenarios

Why n8n Wins for Most Teams

No Limits

Run unlimited workflows without worrying about task caps

$1.67/month

95% cheaper than Zapier, 91% cheaper than Make

Full Control

Self-hosted with complete data sovereignty

What Users Say After Switching from Zapier

Real feedback from teams who migrated from Zapier to self-hosted n8n on OpenHosst.

Reliable n8n hosting with fast support and fair pricing

I have been using OpenHosst's n8n monthly plan for a while now, and the experience has been genuinely smooth. The service runs stable, and whenever I needed help, the support team replied fast and actually fixed the issue instead of delaying it. I have used other hosting providers like Hostinger before, but OpenHosst clearly stands out in terms of support quality and fair pricing. Overall, this has been my best hosting experience so far, and I am happy to keep using their service.

Verified n8n user • Migrated from Hostinger

How to Migrate from Zapier to n8n

Step-by-step guide to switch from Zapier to unlimited self-hosted n8n on OpenHosst. See our n8n cloud pricing breakdown to understand your savings.

1

Document Workflows

List all your active Zaps, their triggers, actions, and filters. Screenshot complex logic.

2

Sign Up for OpenHosst

Start your 7-day free trial. We'll provision your dedicated n8n instance with SSL in minutes.

3

Rebuild & Test

Recreate workflows in n8n's visual editor. Most Zapier integrations have n8n equivalents.

4

Switch & Save

Activate n8n workflows, pause Zapier Zaps, and cancel your Zapier subscription. Save 95%.

Common Migration Challenges (Solved)

Missing Zapier integrations?

n8n has 400+ nodes, plus you can build custom integrations with HTTP Request or JavaScript nodes.

Complex Zap logic?

n8n supports advanced branching, error handling, and JavaScript/Python code blocks for complex scenarios.

Need migration help?

Our support team assists with workflow migration at no extra cost during your trial. We've migrated 100+ teams from Zapier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about n8n vs Zapier comparison. Learn more about n8n open source benefits.

Is n8n better than Zapier?

Yes, for most use cases. n8n offers unlimited executions for $1.67/month (vs Zapier's $20-$600+/month with task limits), full data control with self-hosting, custom integrations, and advanced workflow capabilities. Zapier is easier for beginners, but n8n provides far better value and flexibility.

How much cheaper is n8n compared to Zapier?

n8n on OpenHosst costs $1.67/month with unlimited executions. Zapier costs $19.99-$599+/month with strict task limits (750-100,000 tasks). For medium usage (10,000+ tasks/month), n8n saves 95-98% annually—that's $3,576-$7,176 in savings per year.

Can n8n do everything Zapier can do?

n8n has 400+ built-in integrations covering most popular apps (Google, Slack, Airtable, etc.). While Zapier has 7,000+ integrations, n8n allows you to build custom integrations using HTTP Request, webhooks, or JavaScript/Python code—something Zapier doesn't fully support. For missing integrations, n8n's flexibility often provides better solutions.

What are the main differences between n8n and Zapier?

Key differences: (1) Pricing model—n8n is flat $1.67/month, Zapier is per-task; (2) Self-hosting—n8n runs on your infrastructure, Zapier is cloud-only; (3) Customization—n8n supports custom nodes and code, Zapier is limited; (4) Data control—n8n keeps data on your servers, Zapier processes it on theirs; (5) Execution limits—n8n has none, Zapier caps tasks strictly.

Is n8n harder to use than Zapier?

n8n has a slightly steeper learning curve than Zapier, but OpenHosst makes self-hosting effortless—no server setup required. Both platforms offer visual workflow builders. n8n's interface is actually more powerful, with better debugging, execution history, and workflow visualization. Most users are productive within 1-2 hours.

Can I migrate my Zapier workflows to n8n?

Yes, most Zapier workflows can be recreated in n8n. Document your Zaps (triggers, actions, filters), then rebuild them in n8n's visual editor. OpenHosst's support team assists with migration at no extra cost during your 7-day free trial. We've successfully migrated 100+ teams from Zapier.

Does n8n have as many integrations as Zapier?

n8n has 400+ native integrations compared to Zapier's 7,000+. However, n8n's HTTP Request node, webhook support, and JavaScript/Python code nodes let you connect to any API without waiting for official integrations. For most business use cases, n8n covers all essential apps and offers more flexibility for custom connections.

What is the difference between n8n and Zapier pricing?

Zapier charges per task executed: $19.99/mo (750 tasks), $49/mo (2,000 tasks), $299/mo (50,000 tasks), or $599+/mo (100,000+ tasks). n8n on OpenHosst costs $1.67/month with unlimited executions—no per-task fees, no limits, no overages. For active automation, n8n is 95-98% cheaper.

Is n8n vs Make vs Zapier comparison important?

Yes. n8n ($1.67/mo, unlimited), Make ($9-$299/mo, 1,000-10,000 operations), and Zapier ($20-$600/mo, 750-100,000 tasks) all have different pricing models. n8n wins on cost and flexibility with self-hosting and open source. Make offers complex scenario building but still has limits. Zapier is easiest but most expensive.

Can I use n8n for free like Zapier's free plan?

Zapier's free plan is very limited (100 tasks/month, 2-step Zaps). n8n itself is open source and free, but you need hosting. OpenHosst offers a 7-day free trial with unlimited executions, then $1.67/month—far more generous than Zapier's free tier and cheaper than any paid Zapier plan.

Why do people switch from Zapier to n8n?

Top reasons: (1) Zapier's task limits stop workflows unexpectedly; (2) Task costs scale unpredictably as usage grows; (3) No data control—everything runs on Zapier's servers; (4) Can't build custom integrations; (5) Annual costs reach $3,000-$7,000+ for medium-heavy usage. n8n solves all these problems for $12/year.

Is n8n open source while Zapier is not?

Yes. n8n is open source (fair-code license), meaning you can inspect the code, contribute features, and self-host without vendor lock-in. Zapier is closed-source proprietary software. This makes n8n more transparent, customizable, and future-proof—you're never locked into one vendor.

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Join 1,000+ teams who switched to unlimited n8n automation for $1.67/month. No task limits, no overage fees, no surprises.

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