Zapier vs Make vs n8n — the three leading automation platforms of 2026, compared side by side. All three are excellent (we rate each 4.5/5); the right pick depends on how technical you are, how complex your workflows get, and whether you want to self-host. Pricing verified June 2026.
Quick verdict
- Choose Zapier if you want the widest app coverage and the easiest setup — ideal for non-technical users and simple-to-moderate automations.
- Choose Make if you want powerful multi-branch logic at the best price and don’t mind a short learning curve.
- Choose n8n if you’re technical, want to self-host for free (or build AI agents), and prefer predictable per-execution pricing.
Side-by-side comparison
| Zapier | Make | n8n | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Best for | Widest app coverage, easiest setup | Powerful visual workflows, best value | Self-hosting & AI agents, full control |
| Pricing model | Per task | Per operation (credits) | Per execution, or free self-host |
| Free tier | Yes (100 tasks/mo) | Yes (1,000 ops/mo) | Yes (self-hosted, unlimited) |
| Entry paid | $19.99/mo annual | $9/mo | Self-host free; cloud ~EUR24/mo |
| Integrations | 8,000+ | 3,000+ | 500+ |
| Ease of use | 5/5 (easiest) | 3.5/5 | 3/5 (technical) |
| Self-hostable | No | No | Yes (free) |
| AI agents | Basic (Copilot) | Yes | Best-in-class |
| Full review | Zapier review | Make review | n8n review |
The bottom line
For most non-technical teams, Zapier is the fastest path to working automations thanks to its unmatched app library. Power users who want deeper logic without code get the best value from Make. Technical teams who want to own their stack, self-host for free, or build AI agents should choose n8n. Pricing changes often — confirm current plans on each vendor’s site.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Zapier, Make, or n8n?
All three score 4.5/5. Choose Zapier for the widest app coverage and easiest setup, ideal for non-technical users. Choose Make for powerful multi-branch visual workflows at the best price. Choose n8n if you’re technical, want to self-host for free or build AI agents, and prefer predictable per-execution pricing.
How much do Zapier, Make, and n8n cost?
Zapier’s entry paid plan is $19.99/mo billed annually, with a free tier of 100 tasks/mo. Make’s entry paid plan is $9/mo, with a free tier of 1,000 operations/mo. n8n can be self-hosted for free and unlimited, or used in the cloud from roughly EUR24/mo.
Which tool is easiest to use?
Zapier is rated the easiest to use at 5/5, followed by Make at 3.5/5, with n8n the most technical at 3/5.
Which tool is best for AI agents or self-hosting?
n8n is the only one of the three that is self-hostable for free and offers best-in-class AI agent capability. Make also supports AI agents, while Zapier’s AI agent support (Copilot) is more basic.