n8n vs Zapier
Both automate work between your CRM and the rest of your stack, and both now build AI agents. The big differences are billing and hosting: n8n bills per workflow execution (not per step) and can be self-hosted for free; Zapier bills per task and only runs in its cloud, with 8,000+ app integrations.
| n8n | Zapier | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Workflow automation and AI agent builder you can self-host or use in the cloud, with HubSpot, Salesforce and AI Agent nodes. | AI agents on top of Zapier's 8,000+ app integrations, alongside Zaps, Tables and Forms. |
| Pricing | Starter €20/mo, Pro €50/mo, Business €667/mo billed annually (monthly billing costs more); Community Edition free to self-host | Free $0 (100 tasks/mo); paid from $19.99/mo and from $69/mo; Enterprise: contact sales |
| Pricing model | Public pricing | Public pricing |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| HubSpot | Yes | Yes |
| Salesforce | Yes | Yes |
| Last checked | 2026-10-18 | 2026-10-18 |
| Source | n8n.io | zapier.com |
Prices as shown on each vendor's site on 2026-10-18. Vendors change prices often, so confirm before you buy. Some links are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no cost to you. It never affects rankings.
Which one should you pick?
Pick n8n if…
you have someone technical, run multi-step workflows at volume (per-execution billing keeps cost flat), want self-hosting, or need custom code steps and an AI Agent node with human approval.
Pick Zapier if…
non-technical people will build the automations, you need a niche app that only Zapier connects to, or you want agents, Zaps, Tables and Forms in one hosted tool with a free plan.
Zapier: This is the 'build' option. Versus n8n: Zapier is faster to start, while n8n is cheaper at volume and self-hostable.
Read the full build-vs-buy guide for RevOps Copilots & Agent Builders →
FAQ
Does n8n or Zapier publish its pricing?
n8n: yes. Starter €20/mo, Pro €50/mo, Business €667/mo billed annually (monthly billing costs more); Community Edition free to self-host. Zapier: yes. Free $0 (100 tasks/mo); paid from $19.99/mo and from $69/mo; Enterprise: contact sales. Checked 2026-10-18 on the vendors' pricing pages.
Do n8n and Zapier work with HubSpot and Salesforce?
n8n: HubSpot yes, Salesforce yes. Zapier: HubSpot yes, Salesforce yes. "Unknown" means we could not confirm it on the vendor's site.
Is there a free plan for n8n or Zapier?
n8n: Yes. Zapier: Yes.
Should I build this in n8n instead of buying n8n or Zapier?
n8n: This is the build option. Pick it when you have someone technical and want cost control, self-hosting and custom code steps. Zapier: This is the 'build' option. Versus n8n: Zapier is faster to start, while n8n is cheaper at volume and self-hostable.
Keep comparing
n8n
Workflow automation and AI agent builder you can self-host or use in the cloud, with HubSpot, Salesforce and AI Agent nodes.
Zapier Agents
AI agents on top of Zapier's 8,000+ app integrations, alongside Zaps, Tables and Forms.