Make vs n8n vs Zapier
Three ways to connect apps and automate workflows: Make (visual scenarios, credit-based), n8n (self-host for free or use the cloud) and Zapier (the largest app catalog).
Verdict
- 1
Pick Make
if you want the cheapest paid cloud plan with branching logic: Core is $9/mo billed yearly with credits; 1,000 free credits a month.
- 2
Pick n8n
if you or your client can run a server: the self-hosted Community Edition is free, and cloud starts at $20/mo billed yearly.
- 3
Pick Zapier
if you need the simplest setup and the widest app coverage, and can live with 100 free tasks and two-step Zaps on the free plan.
Bottom line: Make is the cheapest paid start; n8n removes per-run cloud costs if someone can maintain a server; Zapier is quickest when a client already pays for it.
Side by side
| Make | n8n | Zapier | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid plans | Free plan + paid plans | Free plan + paid plans |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| What the free plan gives | 1,000 credits a month. Most actions use 1 credit; some AI features use more. Error-handler and router modules don't use credits. | The self-hosted Community Edition is free; you pay for the server. Cloud plans have a free trial with no card required. | 100 tasks a month and two-step Zaps only (one trigger plus one action). |
| Plans and prices |
|
|
|
| Month 1 (our estimate) | Free: $0 | Community Edition (self-hosted): $12 | Free: $0 |
| Month 12 (our estimate) | Core: $10.59 | Pro (cloud): $50 | Professional: $19.99 |
| Commercial rights | Not a content generator | Not a content generator | Not a content generator |
| Learning difficulty | 3/5 The visual builder is friendly, but data mapping, iterators and error handling take real learning. | 4/5 Self-hosting needs Docker, servers and security; the editor itself is moderate. | 2/5 Simple Zaps are easy; filters, paths and formatters take practice. |
| Best for | Complex automations on a budget | Technical users and self-hosted automation | Simple automations across almost any app |
| Watch out for |
|
|
|
| Sources | Make pricing | n8n pricing | Zapier pricing |
| Full profile | Make profile · Official site | n8n profile · Official site | Zapier profile · Official site |
Every price and limit above comes from the linked vendor pages, read on . Month-1 and month-12 figures are our estimate of the plan a solo seller needs, not quotes. The order of the tools never depends on affiliate status.
Longer guide: our earlier comparison note.