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Side-by-side breakdowns of the top automation platforms. Find the right fit for your workflow.
Hosted no-code leader vs open-source self-hosted automation
Written & maintained by the DangWire Editorial Team · Last content review: October 2026 · How we research & update these pages
Zapier is the easiest way to start, but its free tier caps you at two-step Zaps with 100 tasks per month, and real logic like filters and paths starts at $19.99/mo. n8n gives you unlimited executions when self-hosted and full JS/Python power, at the cost of technical setup and maintenance. Pick Zapier for speed and breadth, n8n for control and scale at zero software cost.
| Feature | Zapier | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Visual workflow builder | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free tier | 100 tasks/mo, 2-step only | Self-host: unlimited |
| Pre-built integrations | 6,000+ | ~400 |
| Multi-step workflows | Pro only | ✅ |
| Filters & branching logic | Pro only | ✅ |
| Custom code execution | — | JS / Python |
| Self-hosting option | — | ✅ |
| Webhook triggers | ✅ | ✅ |
| Error handling | Basic | ✅ |
| Team collaboration | ✅ | Paid plans |
| Tier | Zapier | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 (100 tasks) | $0 (self-host) |
| Starter | $19.99/mo (Pro, billed yearly) | €20/mo (cloud) |
| Pro | $49/mo | €50/mo (cloud) |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom |
Zapier:
Simplest onboarding, guided templates, zero infrastructure
n8n:
Developer-oriented, JSON nodes, self-host maintenance
Zapier:
Non-technical users who want quick Zaps across a huge app library
n8n:
Developers who want self-hosting, data privacy, and full code control
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