Head to head

n8n vs Zapier

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

n8n

€20/mo Free tier Free trial

Workflow automation you can self-host free or run on n8n Cloud. Cloud Starter is €20/mo billed annually; n8n publishes prices in euros.

Where n8n fits

Technical teams that want to self-host for free
Builders who prefer per-execution billing
Teams that want to drive workflows from Claude via MCP
Companies under 100 staff looking at Business

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

Detail	n8n	Zapier
Starting price	€20/mo	$19.99/mo
Free tier	✓Yes	✓Yes
Free trial	Yes	14 day free trial
MCP server	✓Yes	✓Yes
Public API	✓Yes	✓Yes
Listed under	Lead generation, Sourcing	Lead generation, Sourcing

Where they pull apart

n8n

Stands out: Billing counts full workflow executions, not individual steps, and the Community edition is free to self-host.

Watch out: 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.

Not the right fit for

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

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

n8n

Free self-hosted Community edition
Billed per execution, not per step
MCP server and public API

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

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

n8n

€20/mo

Cloud Starter is €20/mo and Pro €50/mo, both billed annually (about 17% more month to month). Business is €667/mo billed annually and runs self-hosted. The Community edition is free to self-host, and Enterprise is quoted. n8n publishes these prices in euros. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 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 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Can you try n8n or Zapier for free?

n8n and Zapier carry a free tier on our listing. n8n offers a free trial. Zapier offers a 14 day free trial.

Does n8n or Zapier have an MCP server?

n8n and Zapier ship a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

Not the pair you wanted?

All n8n alternatives All Zapier alternatives Every Lead generation tool

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