Work Insiders directory

n8n alternatives

4 tools our write-ups put next to n8n, with starting price, free tier, MCP and API side by side.

n8n from €20/mo Free tier Free trial MCP server API

The short answer

Zapier : USD task-based cloud automation if you do not want to self-host. From $19.99/mo
Cargo : GTM-specific orchestration if the workflows are enrichment plays. From $165/mo
Apify : Actor store if scraping is the job, not general workflow nodes. From $19/mo
HubSpot : Native HubSpot workflows if your CRM already automates the stack. From $20/seat/mo

Why people look past n8n

Cloud prices are published in euros only. The Cloud trial is capped at 1,000 executions, and unused AI Assistant credits do not roll over.

What we noted

Cloud prices published in euros only
Cloud trial capped at 1,000 executions
Unused AI credits do not roll over

Not the right fit for

Buyers who need a USD Cloud price
Non-technical users who will not work with nodes

Worth keeping in mind: Billing counts full workflow executions, not individual steps, and the Community edition is free to self-host.

n8n alternatives compared

Tool	Free tier	From	MCP	API	Head to head
n8n (the one you are on)	✓Yes	€20/mo	✓Yes	✓Yes
Zapier USD task-based cloud automation if you do not want to self-host.	✓Yes	$19.99/mo	✓Yes	✓Yes	Head to head
Cargo GTM-specific orchestration if the workflows are enrichment plays.	✓Yes	$165/mo	✓Yes	✓Yes	Head to head
Apify Actor store if scraping is the job, not general workflow nodes.	✓Yes	$19/mo	✓Yes	✓Yes	Head to head
HubSpot Native HubSpot workflows if your CRM already automates the stack.	✓Yes	$20/seat/mo	✓Yes	✓Yes	Head to head

What each one does differently

Zapier

$19.99/mo Free tier 14 day free trial MCP API

Why it comes up: USD task-based cloud automation if you do not want to self-host.

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.

Best for

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

Read the Zapier write-up n8n vs Zapier

Cargo

$165/mo Free tier Free trial MCP API

Why it comes up: GTM-specific orchestration if the workflows are enrichment plays.

Stands out: No feature gating: every credit tier gets the same agents, workflows and integrations.

Watch out: The bill is driven by credits, not seats. The $165 pack covers 1,500 credits, and SSO starts on the 17,000-credit pack at $1,190/mo.

Best for

GTM engineers routing enrichment into the CRM
RevOps teams running agents and plays on one meter
Teams already on HubSpot or Salesforce

Read the Cargo write-up n8n vs Cargo

Apify

$19/mo Free tier MCP API

Why it comes up: Actor store if scraping is the job, not general workflow nodes.

Stands out: Hosted MCP at mcp.apify.com plus a Store of ready-made Actors, on a prepaid usage meter with overage billed on paid plans.

Watch out: Unused prepaid usage expires each cycle. Usage beyond Starter's $19 is billed on the next invoice, and residential proxy costs extra per GB.

Best for

Builders running scrapers and agents in the cloud
GTM teams buying ready-made Store Actors
Desks that want MCP to search and run Actors

4.8 on Capterra from 538 reviews

Read the Apify write-up n8n vs Apify

HubSpot

$20/seat/mo Free tier MCP API

Why it comes up: Native HubSpot workflows if your CRM already automates the stack.

Stands out: A real free CRM for two users, plus a hosted MCP server at mcp.hubspot.com and a full public API.

Watch out: Professional and Enterprise carry required one-time onboarding fees ($1,500 and $3,500). The free CRM stops at two users.

Best for

Revenue teams that want CRM, email and sequences in one login
Recruiters using HubSpot as a recruiting CRM and outreach hub
Teams connecting AI agents through HubSpot's MCP server

4.5 on Capterra from 4,485 reviews

Read the HubSpot write-up n8n vs HubSpot

Common questions

What is the best n8n alternative?

It depends on what sent you looking. Our write-ups put Zapier closest to n8n. Why it comes up: USD task-based cloud automation if you do not want to self-host. The table above shows all 4 on price, free tier, MCP and API.

Is there a free alternative to n8n?

Yes. Zapier, Cargo, Apify and HubSpot carry a free tier on our listing, so you can try the product without a card. Free tiers are capped, so check the limits against your volume before you move a team across.

What is the cheapest n8n alternative?

Of the published starting prices here, Apify is lowest at $19/mo. Starting price is the entry plan, not the seat count you will end up on, so read the plan table on each listing.

Which n8n alternatives have an MCP server?

Zapier, Cargo, Apify and HubSpot ship a first party MCP server, so you can drive them from Claude or ChatGPT without building against the API yourself.

Does n8n have a free trial?

n8n offers a free trial on our listing. Trial terms move, so confirm on the vendor site before you plan around it.

Keep looking

Back to the n8n write-up Every Lead generation tool we list Search the whole directory

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?