How much does n8n cost compared with Zapier in 2026?
On the pricing pages we read on October 5, 2026, n8n Starter is €20 a month, billed annually, with 2,500 executions a month. n8n Pro is €50 a month, billed annually, with 10,000 executions. Zapier Pro is $19.99 a month billed annually, or $29.99 billed monthly, with 750 tasks. Zapier Team is $69 a month billed annually, or $103.50 billed monthly, with 2,000 tasks.
If you have already chosen a platform, our Zapier automation services and n8n automation services pages explain how we build on each.
The headline price is not the number that decides the bill. What decides it is what one run counts as. n8n counts a run of the whole workflow. Zapier counts each action in the run. Two flows with the same price can cost very different amounts.
Where do these prices come from?
The n8n figures are from n8n's pricing page. The Zapier figures are from Zapier's pricing page, which showed a last-updated date of October 5, 2026. Both pages change without notice, so treat the table as a dated snapshot.
| Plan | Price | Included volume | Notes from the vendor page |
|---|---|---|---|
| n8n Starter | €20 a month, billed annually | 2,500 executions a month | Includes 1,600 Assistant credits a month |
| n8n Pro | €50 a month, billed annually | 10,000 executions a month | Includes up to 9,600 Assistant credits a month |
| n8n Business | €667 a month | 40,000 executions a month | Self-hosted only, not yet on Cloud |
| n8n Enterprise | Quoted | Custom | Dedicated support with an SLA |
| Zapier Free | $0 | 100 tasks a month | Two-step Zaps only |
| Zapier Pro | $19.99 a month annual, $29.99 monthly | 750 tasks a month and up | Multi-step Zaps, premium apps, webhooks |
| Zapier Team | $69 a month annual, $103.50 monthly | 2,000 tasks a month and up | Up to 25 users, shared workflows, SAML SSO |
| Zapier Enterprise | Quoted | Custom | Unlimited users, annual task limits |
Two details to note. The n8n Business price is in euros and is for self-hosted use only. Zapier says annual billing is 33% off its monthly rate, and a monthly plan can carry a higher overage rate than an annual one.
What counts as one run in n8n and Zapier?
n8n's pricing page defines an execution as a single run of your entire workflow, no matter how many steps it has. Zapier counts tasks per action. Zapier's task-usage help article, last updated August 21, 2026, sets the rules we use here: a standard action uses 1 task per successful run, a Code by Zapier step uses 1 task per run at standard runtime (more with extended runtime), and an MCP tool call uses 2 tasks per successful call. Zap triggers never use tasks. AI by Zapier steps cost more depending on the model tier. The help article does not give those tier counts, so we have not put a number on them.
That difference is the whole comparison. A workflow with four actions costs four tasks on Zapier and one execution on n8n. A workflow with one trigger and no actions is a different case, and it is worth checking how each platform counts it before you build.
A worked example: one lead, four actions
Take a common sales flow. A form submission starts the run. It then creates a contact in a CRM, sends a text, posts to Slack and adds a row to a sheet. The form is the trigger, which Zapier does not charge for, so there are four actions per lead. We assume every action is a standard action, with no code or AI steps, and that no step stops the run early.
- Zapier Pro: 750 tasks divided by 4 actions is about 187 leads a month before the plan limit.
- n8n Starter: 2,500 executions divided by 1 execution per run is up to 2,500 leads a month. The trigger and the four actions all sit inside one run.
The gap is large, and it is also the wrong way to pick a tool on its own. The example leaves out retries, filters that end a run early, and any code or AI step, which all change the count. It also assumes you need the flow to run every time a lead arrives, which is not always true. Run the same flow in a trial and read the usage screen before you commit.
Where does each one cost more?
Zapier is easier to predict for a short flow with a few steps, and its app library is much larger. The company reports more than 9,000 apps. n8n does not charge more for a longer chain of steps, so it tends to be cheaper for long flows. It is easier to exceed on many small triggers, because each trigger starts its own run.
Overage is where the bills surprise people. Zapier's pricing page says monthly plans are charged overage at 2.5 times the base task rate, and annual plans at 1.25 times if pay-per-task is turned on. A paid campaign that brings in a spike of leads is the usual trigger. n8n sets overage by plan, so read what your plan does after its limit before a launch.
Both vendors also sell AI in their own way. Zapier puts AI steps in the same task pool as everything else. n8n includes Assistant credits in each plan. Neither figure covers what your model provider charges for each model call, so check that rate separately.
Where do GoHighLevel and Airtable fit?
This page compares n8n and Zapier only. GoHighLevel and Airtable have their own plans, and they usually sit next to an automation tool rather than replacing it. A common setup uses GoHighLevel as the CRM, with n8n or Zapier handling the connections to forms, phone numbers and other tools.
If the CRM is the cost you need to control, compare it on its own. The GoHighLevel agency pricing research lists what agencies publish, and the GoHighLevel pricing calculator helps you estimate a plan. Airtable's ownership change, which can affect its pricing later, is covered in our Airtable research.
How should a sales team choose between them?
- Count your runs. Write down the leads, bookings or form submissions you get in an average month and in a busy month.
- Count steps per run. Multiply by the number of actions in the flow. On Zapier each action is billed. On n8n the run is billed.
- Price the busy month. Use the peak, not the average, and check what happens after the limit.
- Pick the smallest plan that holds the peak. Check the number again after the first full month.
Our free Zapier vs n8n cost calculator does this arithmetic with your own run and step counts. If part of the flow needs judgement, such as reading a messy email and deciding what to do, a common pattern is a workflow that calls an AI agent for that one step. Our AI workflow automation service covers that setup.
Frequently asked questions
Is n8n cheaper than Zapier?
For a long flow that runs often, usually yes, because n8n bills the run and not each step. For a team with many one-step automations on a low tier, Zapier can be cheaper. Count your own runs before you decide.
Does Zapier charge for triggers?
No. Zapier's task-usage help article says "Zap triggers never use tasks." The steps after the trigger are what count, which is why the example above counts four actions and not five steps.
Why are n8n's prices in euros?
The n8n pricing page lists euro prices. We have not converted them, because exchange rates move. Use the currency your invoice will be in.
Is there a free plan for either tool?
Zapier has a Free plan with 100 tasks a month and two-step Zaps. The n8n pricing page we read lists paid Cloud plans, so check whether it offers a trial before you commit.
These figures are a snapshot from October 5, 2026. Check each vendor's page before you buy. If you send us your run counts, we will tell you which plan we would start with. Contact us, or see the research section for the other figures we have traced.
