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n8n vs Zapier (2026)

Side-by-side comparison of n8n and Zapier on BizOps Score, pricing, GitHub health, and self-hosting. Updated 2026-05-30.

🏆 WINNER
91
n8n
Automation
Open Source
Price: Free (self-hosted)
Stars: 47,000
View on GitHub →
vs
—
Zapier
Automation
Paid
Price: $299-$999/mo
Stars: N/A (paid)
Visit website →
💡 Verdict: n8n wins (BizOps Score 91/100)

n8n is open-source and free to self-host. Zapier is a paid proprietary tool. For teams prioritising cost and data ownership, n8n is the clear choice. Use our Stack Grader for a personalised recommendation.

Feature comparison
Metricn8nZapier
BizOps Score91/100N/A/100
LicenseOpen SourceProprietary
GitHub Stars47,000N/A (paid)
Monthly CostFree (self-hosted)$299-$999/mo
Self-hosting✓ Available✗ Cloud only
CategoryAutomationAutomation
Choose n8n when…
  • You want full data ownership and self-hosted control
  • Cost reduction is a priority — n8n is free to self-host
  • Your team has technical capacity to deploy and maintain
GitHub →
Choose Zapier when…
  • You need enterprise support and guaranteed SLA
  • Integration with existing enterprise stack is critical
  • Your team prefers clicking over coding
Website →
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