Zapier vs Make vs n8n Pricing: Why Numbers Differ

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Comparing Zapier, Make, and n8n pricing side by side often produces confusing results because each platform charges for different units of work: Zapier bills per task, Make bills per operation, and n8n bills per execution. These units are not equivalent, so the headline numbers on pricing pages rarely line up without factoring in how each platform counts a single unit of work.

Background: What Each Platform Actually Sells

Zapier, Make, and n8n are all automation tools that connect apps and move data between them, but they were built with different philosophies. Zapier is a hosted, no-code service aimed at non-developers. Make (formerly Integromat) is also hosted and no-code, but it visualizes workflows as data pipelines. n8n is an open-source tool that can be self-hosted or used in the cloud, and it appeals to developers who want control over infrastructure.

Because the underlying architectures differ, each company defines a billable unit differently. Zapier counts a task as a successful run of a workflow step. Make counts an operation as a single action within a scenario, and a scenario can have many operations per run. n8n counts an execution as a complete run of a workflow, regardless of how many steps it contains. That single difference explains most of the apparent pricing gaps.

How Task, Operation, and Execution Counting Works

To compare prices fairly, you need to understand what triggers a charge on each platform.

Zapier task: A task is counted each time a Zap successfully completes an action. A Zap with a trigger and two actions uses three tasks per run (one for the trigger, one for each action). Filters and delays also count as tasks.
Make operation: An operation is counted for each module execution. A scenario with a trigger, a filter, and two data-processing modules uses four operations per run. If the scenario loops over multiple items, each iteration counts as additional operations.
n8n execution: An execution is counted once per workflow run, no matter how many nodes (steps) execute. A workflow with 10 nodes and one with 2 nodes both use one execution.

This means a single Zapier task is roughly equivalent to a single Make operation, but n8n executions are far coarser. A workflow that runs 1,000 times per month with 5 steps would consume 5,000 Zapier tasks, 5,000 Make operations, but only 1,000 n8n executions. That is why n8n often appears dramatically cheaper on paper.

Base Pricing Tiers and What They Include

As of early 2025, the entry-level paid plans for each tool look like this (prices are approximate and change frequently):

Zapier: Free plan with 100 tasks/month. Paid plans start around $19.99/month for 750 tasks, $49/month for 1,500 tasks, and $69/month for 2,000 tasks. Higher tiers add more tasks, premium apps, and faster update intervals.
Make: Free plan with 1,000 operations/month. Paid plans start around $9/month for 10,000 operations, $16/month for 30,000, and $29/month for 80,000. Make also offers a one-time “Core” plan for $9/month with 10,000 operations.
n8n: Self-hosted is free with no limits, but you pay for your own server. Cloud plans start around $20/month for 2,500 executions, $50/month for 7,500, and $100/month for 15,000. Self-hosted users only pay for infrastructure.

If you compare raw numbers, Make appears to give far more work for less money than Zapier. But you must multiply Make’s operations by the average number of steps per scenario to get a true apples-to-apples comparison. A 5-step scenario that runs 1,000 times uses 5,000 operations on Make, which fits in the $9/month tier. The same workload on Zapier uses 5,000 tasks, which requires the $69/month tier. n8n would use 1,000 executions, which fits in the $20/month cloud plan.

Hidden Costs and Limitations That Skew the Numbers

Beyond the base unit, several other factors make the published prices misleading.

Zapier’s task multiplier: Every step counts as a task, including triggers, filters, and even “delay” steps. A simple two-step Zap uses 2 tasks per run, so the effective cost per run is double the advertised task price.
Make’s operation multiplier: Each module in a scenario counts as an operation, and loops multiply operations by the number of items processed. A scenario that processes 100 items in a loop uses 100 operations per run, not one.
n8n’s execution limits: While executions are cheap, n8n cloud plans cap the number of workflow runs, not the number of steps. If you have many small workflows, you can hit the execution cap quickly. Self-hosted n8n has no such cap, but you must manage the server, updates, and security yourself.
Premium apps and features: Zapier charges extra for premium apps (like Salesforce or QuickBooks) on lower tiers. Make and n8n include most apps in all paid tiers, but n8n’s self-hosted version requires you to handle authentication and API rate limits yourself.
Update intervals: Zapier’s free and lower paid tiers poll for new data every 15 minutes or more. Make polls every 15 minutes on free, and n8n can poll as often as you configure, but more frequent polling uses more executions.

Real-World Cost Comparison Example

Let’s compare a typical small business workflow: new form submission → create contact in CRM → send email → add row to spreadsheet. That is 4 steps per run.

If the business receives 500 form submissions per month, the workload is:

Zapier: 500 runs × 4 tasks = 2,000 tasks. The $69/month plan covers 2,000 tasks, so cost is $69.
Make: 500 runs × 4 operations = 2,000 operations. The $9/month plan covers 10,000 operations, so cost is $9.
n8n cloud: 500 runs × 1 execution = 500 executions. The $20/month plan covers 2,500 executions, so cost is $20.
n8n self-hosted: 500 executions are free, but you pay for a server (e.g., $5–$20/month on a small VPS).

In this example, Make is the cheapest hosted option, and n8n self-hosted is the cheapest overall if you already have a server. But if the workflow has 10 steps instead of 4, Zapier’s cost jumps to $69 for 5,000 tasks (still within the $69 tier), Make uses 5,000 operations (still within $9 tier), and n8n still uses 500 executions. The relative gap narrows as workflows get longer.

How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Budget

Instead of comparing list prices, estimate your actual monthly workload first.

Count how many times each workflow runs per month.
Count the number of steps (including filters, delays, and loops) in each workflow.
Multiply runs × steps to get Zapier tasks or Make operations.
Count runs only to get n8n executions.
Add any premium app fees (Zapier only) and hosting costs (n8n self-hosted).

Then compare the total cost across plans. For simple workflows with few steps, n8n is often cheapest. For complex workflows with many steps, Make’s operation pricing can be more cost-effective than Zapier. Zapier remains the easiest to use and has the largest app directory, but it is usually the most expensive per unit of work.

Common Misconception: Free Plans Are Comparable

Many users compare free tiers and conclude that Make is more generous because it offers 1,000 operations per month versus Zapier’s 100 tasks. But those 1,000 operations might only cover 250 runs of a 4-step scenario, while Zapier’s 100 tasks cover only 25 runs of the same scenario. n8n’s self-hosted free tier is unlimited, but you must pay for hosting and maintenance. The free tier comparison is only meaningful if you factor in the same step multiplier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Zapier seem so much more expensive than n8n?

Zapier charges per task, and every step counts as a task. n8n charges per execution, which is one complete workflow run regardless of steps. A 5-step workflow uses 5 Zapier tasks but only 1 n8n execution, so n8n appears 5x cheaper for the same run count.

Can I use n8n for free forever?

Yes, if you self-host n8n on your own server. The software is open-source and free, but you pay for server hosting, maintenance, and any third-party services you use. n8n’s cloud plans are paid and have execution limits.

Does Make count operations the same as Zapier tasks?

Roughly yes, but not exactly. Make counts each module execution as an operation, and Zapier counts each step as a task. Both multiply by the number of steps, but Make also counts loop iterations as separate operations, which can inflate usage more than Zapier’s task count.

Which platform is best for a non-technical small business owner?

Zapier is the most beginner-friendly with a simple interface and extensive app support, but it is the most expensive. Make offers a visual builder that is also accessible, with a lower price point. n8n has a steeper learning curve and is better suited for those comfortable with code or self-hosting.

Can I switch from Zapier to Make or n8n without losing features?

Most common automations (form submissions, CRM updates, email sends) can be replicated on all three. However, some niche apps or specific triggers may only exist on Zapier. Check the app directory of each platform before switching, and be prepared to rebuild workflows manually.

Do these prices include VAT or other taxes?

No, the listed prices are typically pre-tax. VAT, sales tax, or other regional taxes may be added at checkout depending on your location. Also, prices are subject to change, so always confirm on the official pricing pages before committing.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.