N8n vs Zapier – this is the question I’ve been asked countless times after years of working with automation tools. The answer isn’t as simple as I initially thought. Let me share what I’ve discovered through hands-on experience with both platforms, and hopefully save you some trial and error.
I can take you through what I have discovered and perhaps save you some of the headaches I had in finding out this stuff.
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My Zapier Experience: The N8n vs Zapier Journey Begins
My first experience was with Zapier since everyone was using it. My friend Sarah was also giving away on how she had automated her whole lead capture process and I decided that I had to get on board.
The thing with Zapier is that it is actually extremely simple to get going with. Like, embarrassingly easy. My initial automation was a connection of Google sheet to Slack, which took me about 10 minutes. N8n vs Zapier – Felt like a genius, honestly. The interface is simply intuitive. You take a trigger when this occurs, select an action do this thing and bang, you are ready.
Zapier is ideal in the case of simple stuff. I was linking everything to everything – email to spread sheets, forms to CRM systems, etc. The number of integrations they have is insane; more than 5,000.
Where Zapier Falls Short in the N8n vs Zapier Debate
Six months after using Zapier, I had to create something more complicated. I desired to make several sources of data, process some logic on this data such as; if this value exceeds X, then perform Y, otherwise perform Z, and then route this data to various destinations depending on the result.
That is when I knew that Zapier becomes expensive after a short period of time. The free plan is extremely restricted – it gives 100 tasks per month and when you do require multi-step workflows or desire to include conditional logic, you are looking at their professional plans which begin to accumulate. N8n vs Zapier – I was spending between 50-70 a month, and I did not even have that many automations.
And, another, and this irritated me more than it should have, all in Zapier is in the cloud. Your workflow is not really owned. Provided that they vary their prices or conditions then you are more or less stuck.
Discovering N8n: The Other Side of N8n vs Zapier
I came across n8n after I lamented about the Zapier prices in one of the forums online. One of them said it was an open-source alternative and I said open-source? That sounds complicated and it was a little more complicated at first.
This is a visual workflow builder that N8n possesses, though you would have to think differently. Rather than trigger-action, you are creating these node based workflows that can fork and combine and do whatever other manner of fancy thing there is. It certainly has a more steep learning curve than Zapier.
One entire weekend, I did nothing but played with n8n, twisted it, snapped and designed to twist it, and so on. But once it clicked? The possibilities opened up before man.
N8n vs Zapier: The Self-Hosting Thing
This is what persuaded me to use n8n seriously – it can be hosted locally. Now, I’m not super technical. I am not out here to write code all day. However, using a few tutorials and a Digital Ocean droplet which only costs me about 10 dollars a month, I was able to get n8n running on my own server.
This means a few things. Second, all my data remains on my server. N8n vs Zapier – Certain items I automate have sensitive business information and to be honest, it is much more comfortable to know that it is not going through the systems of another person.
I have experienced the times when I did something wrong and wasted hours by searching Google with error messages. I will not say that part is not frustrating.
N8n vs Zapier: Integration Differences
Zapier has much more integrations already built in – three times as many as n8n. However, this is what I have learned: the majority of the apps that I personally tend to use on a regular basis can be found on both platforms.
N8n also lacks everything Zapier has and also an option to write custom JavaScript or Python code directly within your workflows. I do not know how to program, but have studied enough to be able to do basic data manipulation. N8n vs Zapier – There are times when you just need to write a date in a particular way or you need to join two text fields together, with the specific logic and it is a game changer to write three lines of code rather than struggling with the limited inbuilt functionality.
N8n vs Zapier Cost: The Real Numbers
Money talks and that is important. They have plans starting at $20/month with 750 tasks, however, in case you want to use multi-steps Zaps or premium apps, it will cost you around 50-100 and above per month.
N8n cloud:- Begins at approximately $20/month with 2,500 executions
N8n self-hosted: This is basically free other than the costs of servers. I spend 10 dollars per month on hosting and am able to utilize infinitely many workflows. Then, n8n is much less expensive, so, in case you have a lot of automations, n8n is much less costly.
N8n vs Zapier: When Zapier Wins
Although all I mentioned about n8n, there are occasions that I resort to Zapier. I would use Zapier in case I have to connect something obscure in a hurry like some strange marketing tool that only Zapier can connect with. Their integration library cannot be compared.
Zapier wins. The configuration speed is a little higher and in the case that I am dealing with a non-technical person, I will suggest Zapier. My mom is likely to get a handle on Zapier. N8n would certainly not be figured out by her.
N8n vs Zapier: The Technical Skill Factor
This is important. n8n will annoy you if you do not feel at ease with such concepts as APIs, web hooks, JSON data, or server management. Zapier is not intended to be technical. N8n supposes that you will learn this stuff or that you know it.
I’m somewhere in the middle. I am able to confuse technical documentation and Google my way out of the majority of issues. Nevertheless I have friends who had looked at n8n and just said no, too much. Know yourself. Do not lie about your level of technical comfort. N8n vs Zapier – These are the days when I do use both. Shocking, right?
However, I maintain a Zapier account to have temporary connections and integrations that n8n does not serve so well. It is approximately 30/month and caters to 15-20 percent of my automation requirements.
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N8n vs Zapier: Final Verdict
In case you require the easiest, most convenient experience and are not afraid to pay it – choose Zapier. You will have your business off within no time and there is a massive community to assist you whenever you have a snarl-up.
In case you are technical or can learn, desire greater control, and must have a low-cost scale automation – n8n is, likely, your choice. You see, do as I do and have both. N8n vs Zapier – You are not supposed to say that you cannot.
Tools are not really that important as much as the real thing of automating the repetitive work in your life. I also made a lot of mistakes with both sites and I am still getting a feel for things. That’s what actually matters.
