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Zapier vs n8n: which automation tool should you choose in 2026?

Zapier is a hosted no-code tool billed in tasks; n8n bills per workflow run and can be self-hosted. Pricing, apps, webhooks, schedules and AI compared.

Published 20 October 2026. Prices and features from each vendor's own pages.

Zapiern8nvsPaid from$19.99/account$20/accountApps9,000+2,367Billed byTaskExecution

The short answer

ZapierPaid from $19.99/account

Choose it if you want the widest list of apps, at 9,000+.

n8nPaid from $20/account

Choose it if you want to self-host on your own servers with the free Community Edition.

PromptLabIn the CRM from $11.99/seat

Choose it if your automations start and end in the CRM: deals, quotes, tasks and messages.

Zapier and n8n both automate work between apps, but they suit different teams. Zapier is a hosted no-code platform that counts tasks. n8n charges for whole workflow runs, includes code steps, and can also be run on your own servers.

Below, the two are compared on price, how each one bills, apps, triggers, AI and hosting. Every figure comes from the vendors' own pricing and product pages; prices are per account a month, billed annually, at the smallest volume each paid plan starts with, unless we say otherwise.

Zapier vs n8n at a glance

With PromptLab in the third column: the same job done inside a CRM.

Zapier vs n8n, with PromptLab: prices and features
Checked on 20 October 2026Zapiern8nPromptLab
Pricing
Free plan100 tasks a monthSelf-hosted Community
Paid plans, a month$19.99 – $69per account$20 – $800per account$11.99per seat on Basic
Free trial14 days
BillingBilled annuallyBilled annuallyBilled monthly
Workflow automation
App integrations9,000+2,367Slack, Google Sheets
Billed byTaskExecutionSeat
WebhooksFrom$23.99/month
Scheduled runs
AI steps
Self-hosting

Pricing: $19.99 to $69 against $20 to $800

The entry prices are close. Zapier Professional is $19.99 a month for 750 tasks, and n8n Starter is $20 a month for 2,500 workflow executions. Zapier's Team plan is $69 for 2,000 tasks and 25 users. n8n's Pro is $50 for 10,000 executions.

n8n's top published plan is far higher. Business is $800 a month for 40,000 executions, and it is self-hosted only. Both tools have an Enterprise plan by quote. Paying yearly saves 33% on Zapier and 17% on n8n.

Tasks against executions

Zapier counts tasks. A trigger does not use one, but each successful action step does. Filter, Formatter, Paths, Delay and Looping steps are free. At the limit, Zaps move to pay-per-task billing or pause.

n8n counts executions. An execution is one full workflow run, however many steps it has, and n8n says it does not charge per step. Every n8n plan includes unlimited users and workflows. Starter allows 5 concurrent executions and Pro allows up to 50.

Apps, code and developer tools

Zapier lists 9,000+ apps, the longer list. n8n lists 2,367 integrations, includes all of them on every plan, and runs code steps in JavaScript or Python on every cloud plan.

Zapier's Free plan is limited to two-step Zaps, and multi-step Zaps start on Professional. n8n runs unlimited steps in a workflow. Zapier's paid plans are built around a visual no-code editor, while n8n adds code steps for teams that want them.

Webhooks, schedules and AI

Both start workflows from webhooks. Zapier lists webhooks as a Professional feature. n8n includes webhook triggers on every cloud plan. For schedules, n8n's Schedule Trigger node runs workflows at fixed intervals and times, like cron. Zapier has Schedule by Zapier for daily or weekly runs.

On AI, n8n includes Agents, MCP and AI nodes from Starter, with 1,600 Assistant credits a month. Zapier lists AI fields on Professional and sells Agents and Chatbots as separate add-ons.

Self-hosting and users

This is the clearest split. n8n can be self-hosted: the Community Edition is free and available on GitHub, and runs without a licence key. Zapier lists no self-hosted version.

On users, every n8n plan has unlimited users. On Zapier, Professional is one seat, Team includes 25 users, and unlimited users come with Enterprise.

We make PromptLab, so here is where it fits.

Or automate inside your CRM

PromptLab has workflows built in. They start on CRM events such as a new deal, a stage change, a quote status or an inbound email, WhatsApp or Telegram message, on a schedule or by hand. They create tasks, update records, assign owners and send emails or Slack, Telegram and WhatsApp messages.

Steps can run AI on the record, branch on conditions and wait. It connects to far fewer outside apps than a general automation tool, so keep one if you chain many of them. Incoming webhooks and HTTP steps come with Professional.

Sales automation in PromptLab
Try PromptLab freeIncluded in PromptLab Basic, from $11.99 a user a month, with a 14-day free trial.

Which should you choose?

Choose Zapier if…

  • You want the widest list of apps, at 9,000+.
  • Your team does not write code and wants a hosted tool.
  • You want a 14-day Professional trial with no credit card.

Choose n8n if…

  • You want to self-host on your own servers with the free Community Edition.
  • You want to pay per full workflow run, not per step.
  • Your team is comfortable with code steps in JavaScript or Python.

Choose PromptLab if…

  • Your automations start and end in the CRM: deals, quotes, tasks and messages.
  • You want AI steps that read the record without connecting two tools.
  • You'd rather pay per user than per task or operation.

Frequently asked questions

Is n8n better than Zapier?

It depends on your team. n8n suits teams that want self-hosting, code steps and per-run billing. Zapier suits teams that want a hosted no-code tool with 9,000+ apps.

Is n8n cheaper than Zapier?

At entry, the prices are close: $20 a month for 2,500 executions on n8n Starter against $19.99 for 750 tasks on Zapier Professional, both billed annually. The units differ, because n8n counts whole runs and Zapier counts each action step.

Can you self-host Zapier?

Zapier lists no self-hosted version. n8n can be self-hosted, and its Community Edition is free.

Does Zapier have a free plan?

Yes. Free includes 100 tasks a month and two-step Zaps. n8n's cloud plans start at Starter, but you can try it free, and the self-hosted Community Edition costs nothing.

Do Zapier and n8n support webhooks?

Yes. Zapier lists webhooks as a Professional feature, and n8n includes webhook triggers on every cloud plan.

Do I need an automation tool if my CRM has workflows?

Often not for work inside the CRM. PromptLab's workflows start on deals, quotes, tasks and messages and act on them, on every plan from $11.99 a user a month. Keep a dedicated tool when you chain many outside apps.

Sources

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