Side by side
| Zapier | Make | n8n | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How you build | A step-by-step list of triggers and actions | A visual canvas with branches, routers and loops | A visual canvas, with code steps where you need them |
| Learning curve | The gentlest of the three | Moderate; rewards people who think in flowcharts | Steeper; closest to a developer tool |
| How you pay | Plans by number of tasks run | Plans by number of operations run | Cloud plans by executions, or self-host the community edition |
| Where it runs | Zapier's cloud | Make's cloud | n8n's cloud or your own server |
| App connectors | The largest catalogue | A large catalogue, plus HTTP for the rest | A smaller catalogue, plus HTTP and code for the rest |
| Complex logic | Paths and filters; long Zaps get hard to read | Good at branching and handling lists of items | Good at branching, loops and custom code |
| Data stays with you | No | No | Yes, if you self-host |
Pick Zapier when
- The people who will own the flows are not technical
- Each flow is a few steps between well-known apps
- You value the widest choice of ready-made connectors over a lower bill
Pick Make when
- Flows branch, loop over line items or reshape data on the way through
- You want to see the whole flow on one screen
- Volume is high enough that per-task pricing starts to hurt
Pick n8n when
- You have someone comfortable with a server, or want it hosted for you
- Data has to stay on your own infrastructure for privacy or compliance reasons
- Flows need custom code, or you run enough volume that self-hosting pays off
What to check before you choose
List the apps each flow touches and confirm each tool has a working connector for them, not just a listing. Estimate how many runs a month you expect, then read each tool's current pricing page against that number; the models differ enough that the cheapest option changes with volume.
Then decide who will fix a flow when it breaks at 7am. That person's comfort level usually settles the choice.
Switching later
Moving between the three is a rebuild, not an export. Keep a short written note for each flow: what triggers it, what it changes and who depends on it. That note is what makes a later move, or a move to a custom integration, quick.
Updated 2026-10-23. General guidance, not advice for your situation; we scope each project in writing before any work starts.
Download the template
A Zapier to n8n starter: a Zap inventory sheet, a workflow laid out like a typical Zap, and an error alert so failures reach you. Free, with setup steps. You add your own accounts and settings.
Questions people ask first
Which one is cheapest?
It depends on volume and how many steps each flow has. Light use is cheap on all three. At high volume, Make and self-hosted n8n usually cost less to run than Zapier, but self-hosting has its own upkeep.
Is n8n really free?
The community edition can be self-hosted at no licence cost. You still pay for the server and for someone to keep it updated and backed up.
Can you move our Zaps to Make or n8n?
Yes. We list your flows, rebuild the ones worth keeping, test them side by side, and switch over one flow at a time.
Do we need one of these at all?
Not always. A single scheduled script or a native integration between two apps can be simpler. We will say so if that is the case.
Tell us what you need built.
Tell us the process and the tools involved, or call. We reply with questions or a written scope.
hello@pushbuild.com