Zapier vs. Make.com vs. n8n: An Honest Comparison (2026)

Looking for the right automation tool and confused by the options? Understandable. Zapier, Make.com, and n8n are the three major players in the no-code automation market – but they're fundamentally different. In this comparison, we show you which tool fits which use case, without the marketing fluff.

The Three Tools at a Glance

Zapier: The Market Leader

Strengths

Easiest to Use

Zapier is built for people who have never automated before. The interface is self-explanatory, and the documentation is excellent.

Most Integrations

With over 7,000 apps, you'll find almost any SaaS application. Even niche tools are often included.

Best Documentation and Community

Every app has examples, templates, and tutorials. When problems arise, you'll almost always find a solution.

Fastest Start

From account creation to your first "Zap" often takes just 10 minutes.

Weaknesses

Expensive When Scaling

Zapier charges per "task." With complex workflows, costs can explode quickly.

Limited Logic

Nested conditions, loops, and complex data manipulation are tedious or impossible.

No Self-Hosting

Data always goes through US servers. Problematic for GDPR-sensitive applications.

Vendor Lock-in

Exporting workflows is not possible. Switching means rebuilding.

Zapier Pricing (2026)

What is a Task?

Every action in a workflow (except the trigger) = 1 task. A workflow with 5 steps uses 4 tasks per execution.

Zapier is ideal for:

• Non-technical users
• Simple if-then automations
• US companies without GDPR concerns
• Quick prototypes

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Make.com: The All-Rounder

Strengths

Visual Workflow Builder

Make.com has the best visual interface. Complex workflows remain manageable through the drag-and-drop interface.

Excellent Price-Performance Ratio

Significantly cheaper than Zapier with more functionality. Operations instead of tasks = fairer pricing.

Powerful Data Manipulation

Arrays, JSON parsing, aggregators, iterators – Make can handle complex data structures.

EU-Based

Servers available in the EU. More GDPR-compliant than US alternatives.

Weaknesses

Steeper Learning Curve

The flexibility comes at a price: beginners need more time.

Fewer Integrations Than Zapier

1,500 apps is a lot, but some niche tools are missing.

No Self-Hosting

Those who want full data control need to look elsewhere.

API Limits on Basic Plans

Some features (e.g., webhooks) are only available on higher-tier plans.

Make.com Pricing (2026)

What is an Operation?

Every action (including the trigger) = 1 operation. Fairer than Zapier's task model.

Make.com is ideal for:

• Technically proficient users
• Complex, branching workflows
• E-commerce automation
• Mid-sized businesses and agencies

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n8n: The Outsider

Strengths

Open Source and Self-Hosted

Full control over code and data. No vendor dependency.

Free with Self-Hosting

Only server costs. Massive savings at high volumes.

Maximum Flexibility

JavaScript code directly in the workflow. No limits on logic.

German Provider

Developed in Berlin. GDPR-native. German documentation available.

Community Nodes

Missing an integration? The community or you can build nodes.

Weaknesses

Setup Effort for Self-Hosting

Docker, reverse proxy, SSL, backups – technical know-how required.

Fewer Native Integrations

400+ apps out-of-the-box. Many things are possible via HTTP requests, but that takes time.

Smaller Community

Fewer tutorials and templates than Zapier.

Cloud Still Young

n8n Cloud is relatively new and doesn't have all enterprise features yet.

n8n Pricing (2026)

*Server costs approximately $10-50/month

n8n is ideal for:

• Developers and technical teams
• Privacy-sensitive applications
• High automation volumes
• Startups with small budgets

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Head-to-Head Comparison

Price at 10,000 Executions/Month

Price Winner: Make.com (Cloud) / n8n (Self-Hosted)

User-Friendliness

User-Friendliness Winner: Zapier (beginners) / Make.com (advanced users)

Data Privacy & Compliance

Data Privacy Winner: n8n

Scalability

Scalability Winner: n8n (Self-Hosted)

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Decision Guide: Which Tool is Right for You?

Choose Zapier if:

• You're not technically inclined
• You're starting with few, simple automations
• Budget is not a concern
• US hosting is not a problem
• You need the largest app selection

Choose Make.com if:

• You want to build complex workflows
• Price-performance matters
• You prefer EU hosting
• You like visual workflow builders
• E-commerce is a focus

Choose n8n if:

• You have technical know-how (or access to it)
• Data privacy is highest priority
• You're automating high volumes
• You need maximum flexibility
• You prefer open source

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Our Conclusion

For Beginners: Start with Make.com. It's cheaper than Zapier and more flexible. The learning curve is manageable. For Professionals: n8n Self-Hosted offers the best price-performance ratio and maximum control. For Enterprises: Depending on priority – Zapier for easy adoption, Make.com for price-performance, n8n Enterprise for data control.

There is no "best" tool. There's only the best tool for YOUR use case.

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Next Steps

Not sure which tool fits your needs? We can help:

Free Tool Consultation – We analyze your requirements

Proof of Concept – We build the same workflow in all tools

Migration – We help you switch from one tool to another

Choosing the right tool is the first step. The right implementation determines success.