Compare/Head to head

Latenode vs Zapier

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Starting price

Latenode

$0.00012/CPU sec Free tier

Workflow automation for teams that want AI and code on the same canvas and would rather pay for runtime than per task. The free plan gives 10,000 CPU seconds a month and pay as you go has no base fee, so it suits recruiting ops and HR teams building multi step or high volume flows on a tight budget.

Where Latenode fits

  • Recruiting ops and HR teams automating multi step workflows across their stack
  • Builders who want to drop into JavaScript when no-code is not enough
  • Teams moving off per task pricing with high run volumes

Zapier

$19.99/mo Free tier 14 day free trial

Task-based automation across 9,000 apps, with an MCP server on every account. Free plan available; Professional starts at $19.99/mo billed monthly.

Where Zapier fits

  • Ops teams connecting SaaS apps without code
  • People who want Claude or ChatGPT to act in Gmail and Slack
  • Solo users who fit on one Professional seat
  • Orgs that may grow into Team or Enterprise

At a glance

DetailLatenodeZapier
Starting price$0.00012/CPU sec$19.99/mo
Free tier✓Yes✓Yes
Free trialNot on record14 day free trial
MCP server✓Yes✓Yes
Public API–No✓Yes
Listed underWorkflow automationWorkflow automation

Where they pull apart

Latenode

Stands out: Billing follows execution time, not steps, so a workflow with many branches and helper nodes costs no more than a short one that runs just as fast. Every plan, the free one included, gets the AI agent node, RAG storage, a headless browser for sites with no API, a built-in database and JavaScript with NPM packages.

Watch out: Runtime pricing is harder to forecast than a flat monthly plan, and paid AI or provider nodes are charged in PnP tokens on top of runtime. The free plan is capped at five active workflows, one parallel worker and three days of run history.

Not the right fit for

  • Buyers who want a fixed monthly price
  • Non technical users who never want to see code
  • Teams that need an HR specific product rather than a general automation platform

Zapier

Stands out: Zapier MCP is on every plan, including Free, and connects AI assistants to the same 9,000-app catalog.

Watch out: Each MCP tool call uses two tasks. Free Zaps are limited to two steps, and Professional is a single-user plan.

Not the right fit for

  • Builders who need self-hosting and per-execution billing
  • Heavy AI use where every MCP call costs two tasks

Pros and cons

Latenode

  • Free plan with 10,000 CPU seconds a month and no card needed
  • Billed by runtime, so extra steps do not multiply the bill
  • AI agents, RAG, headless browser and database on every plan
  • Usage based pricing is harder to budget than a flat plan
  • Paid AI and provider nodes cost PnP tokens on top of runtime
  • Free plan limited to five active workflows

Zapier

  • Free plan with 100 tasks a month
  • 14-day Professional trial, no card
  • MCP on every plan, including Free
  • Free Zaps stop at two steps
  • Professional is a single-user plan
  • Each MCP call uses two tasks

What each one costs

Latenode

$0.00012/CPU sec

Free is $0 a month with 10,000 CPU seconds, five active workflows and one parallel worker, and includes all apps, AI agents, RAG, the headless browser and the database. Pay as you go has no base fee: the first 10,000 CPU seconds each month stay free, then runtime is billed from $0.00012 per CPU second, falling in brackets to $0.00005 at high volume. It adds unlimited active scenarios, five parallel workers, 10 minute runs and 30 days of run history. Add-ons such as extra workers at $10 a month are optional, and paid AI or provider nodes use PnP tokens at $1 per token on top of runtime. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Zapier

$19.99/mo

Free covers 100 tasks a month. Professional starts at $19.99/mo and Team at $69/mo on monthly billing, with about 33% off when paid yearly; Enterprise is quoted. Agents and Chatbots are priced separately. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Is Latenode cheaper than Zapier?
Latenode starts lower, at $0.00012/CPU sec against $19.99/mo for Zapier. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try Latenode or Zapier for free?
Latenode and Zapier carry a free tier on our listing. Zapier offers a 14 day free trial.
Does Latenode or Zapier have an MCP server?
Latenode and Zapier ship a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?