Compare · Automate busywork between apps
Zapier vs Make vs n8n for small business
Quick verdict
Zapier is the easiest start for non-technical owners; Make gives more control per dollar if you are comfortable with a visual builder; n8n suits a technical person who wants self-hosting or execution-based pricing.
Side by side
| Zapier | Make | n8n | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Owners who want the fastest setup and the widest app catalog | People comfortable with a visual flowchart-style builder who want low entry prices | Technical users or teams that want self-hosting and per-run pricing |
| Pricing | Free $0; Professional from $19.99/mo; Team from $69/mo Price verified on vendor site, Oct 14, 2026 (source) | Free $0; Core $9/mo; Pro $16/mo Price verified on vendor site, Oct 14, 2026 (source) Make bills in credits (most actions use 1 credit); credits expire at the end of the term (make.com/pricing, checked 2026-10-25). | Starter 20€/mo and Pro 50€/mo, billed annually (cloud); free self-hosted Community Edition Price verified on vendor site, Oct 25, 2026 (source) |
| Setup effort | Low: step-by-step editor | Medium: visual builder has a learning curve | Higher: most power needs technical comfort; self-hosting means you run the server |
| Main limitation | Costs can rise as task volume grows; less flexible for complex branching than Make or n8n | If you run out of credits, scenarios stop until credits are added (per Make's pricing FAQ) | Hosted plans priced in euros; cloud Starter is limited to 5 concurrent executions and forum-only support |
| Links | Zapier profile Visit Zapier | Make profile Visit Make | n8n profile Visit n8n |
Which should you choose?
- Choose Zapier if you want to connect common apps today without learning a builder.
- Choose Make if you want multi-step, branching workflows at a lower entry price and don't mind a visual learning curve.
- Choose n8n if you (or someone on staff) are technical, want to self-host, or want billing per full workflow run rather than per step.
Last checked: 2026-10-25. This is editorial guidance based on each vendor's public website and pricing pages, not hands-on testing. Prices change; confirm on the vendor's site before buying.