Zapier vs Make vs n8n: Which automation platform should your team use in 2026?
Zapier is easiest to use. Make is best for complex visual workflows. n8n is the most flexible — and the only one you can self-host. All three connect apps and automate workflows, but they serve different users and use cases. This three-way comparison shows where each tool fits so you can pick the right one for your technical level, complexity, and budget. Skip to the verdict if you are short on time.
← Compare all platforms in our Best Automation Tools in 2026 guide
Quick verdict
- Choose Zapier if you want the simplest way to automate standard SaaS workflows with minimal learning curve.
- Choose Make if you want a powerful visual canvas for complex multi-step automations without managing servers.
- Choose n8n if you want maximum flexibility, open-source roots, and the option to self-host or deeply customize.
What are Zapier, Make, and n8n?
- Zapier
- A cloud-based, no-code automation platform focused on ease of use and a huge app directory. You build linear "Zaps" made from triggers and actions. Best for non-technical users who want fast results.
- Make
- A visual automation platform with a canvas-style builder, strong support for complex scenarios, and fine-grained control over how data flows between modules. Formerly known as Integromat.
- n8n
- A workflow automation tool with open-source roots that can run in the cloud or be self-hosted. It targets more technical users who want deep customization, code-friendly nodes, and control over infrastructure.
Head-to-head summary
| Feature / Aspect | Zapier | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | Easiest — step-by-step builder | Moderate — visual canvas | Most technical — node-based editor |
| Workflow complexity | Simple to moderate | Moderate to complex | Complex and highly customized |
| Hosting | Fully hosted SaaS only | Fully hosted SaaS only | Cloud or self-hosted (open-source) |
| Pricing logic | Task-based; can get expensive at scale | Operation-based; efficient for complex flows | Cloud plans + free self-hosted option |
| Integrations | 6,000+ native apps | 1,500+ pre-built integrations | 1,300+ nodes; highly extensible via custom nodes |
| Code support | Limited; some code steps available | Built-in functions; limited custom code | Full JavaScript support in code nodes |
| Best for | Non-technical founders, marketers, ops teams | Power users who want visual control | Developers, technical teams, self-hosters |
Who is each tool best for?
Who should choose Zapier?
Zapier is best for non-technical founders, marketers, and ops people who need straightforward automations between popular SaaS tools. It suits small teams that value speed, polish, and a gentle learning curve over ultimate flexibility, and agencies that implement standard workflows across many clients using common apps.
- Non-technical founders and operators who want automations running in minutes without engineering support.
- Marketing and ops teams automating standard tasks: lead capture, CRM updates, notifications, data sync.
- Agencies that need to automate standard workflows across many client accounts using a broad library of pre-built integrations.
Who should choose Make?
Make is best for power users and small teams who want a more advanced but still no-code/low-code way to build complex workflows — especially those who prefer seeing their automations as a visual map rather than a list of steps.
- Power users and technical operators comfortable thinking in terms of data flows and logic.
- Teams with complex workflows involving many steps, branches, and conditions.
- Users who want a visual canvas where they can see and debug the whole automation at once.
Who should choose n8n?
n8n is best for developers and technical teams comfortable with APIs, webhooks, and some coding. It is the only option of the three that supports self-hosting — making it the right choice for teams with data sovereignty requirements or complex, logic-heavy workflows that would be awkward or expensive in more limited tools.
- Developers and engineering teams who want full control over workflow logic and data handling.
- Organizations with data sovereignty or compliance requirements that may need to self-host.
- Teams building AI agent workflows — n8n is a leading platform for LLM and AI agent orchestration.
Pricing comparison (2026)
Zapier
- Free tier for light testing (around 100 tasks/month).
- Paid plans for serious use start from about $19.99/month on annual billing, scaling based on monthly task limits and advanced features.
- Costs can climb quickly with high-volume automations.
Make
- Paid plans start around $9/month, with limits on operations and active scenarios.
- Pricing is tied to operations, which can be efficient for complex, multi-step workflows.
- Often provides better value than Zapier for intricate automations.
n8n
- Cloud plans start around $20/month.
- Offers a free self-hosted option, which can be highly cost-effective if you can manage your own infrastructure.
- Ideal for teams that prioritise control and long-term cost predictability.
Verification note: This comparison is based on hands-on testing of each platform's core plans in Q1 2026. Pricing and features change often, so always double-check details on the vendor's official site before you buy.
Pros and cons at a glance
Zapier
Pros
- Easiest to learn and use
- Massive app ecosystem (6,000+)
- Great for quick wins and standard business workflows
Cons
- Can get expensive at scale
- Linear builder isn't ideal for very complex flows
- No self-hosting or deep infrastructure control
Make
Pros
- Powerful visual canvas for complex workflows
- Strong support for branching and data manipulation
- Often more cost-effective than Zapier at higher complexity
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than Zapier
- Interface can feel busy for new users
- Fully hosted; no self-hosting option
n8n
Pros
- Very flexible with open-source roots
- Self-host or cloud — strong control over data
- Great for developer-heavy teams and AI workflows
Cons
- Technical learning curve; not for non-technical users
- Requires setup and maintenance if self-hosted
- Fewer plug-and-play integrations in some categories
FAQ: Zapier vs Make vs n8n
Which is easiest to use: Zapier, Make, or n8n?
Zapier is the easiest to use, with a step-by-step builder that most non-technical users can pick up in minutes. Make is more powerful but has a moderate learning curve. n8n is the most technical of the three and is best suited to developers and power users.
Which is cheapest: Zapier, Make, or n8n?
It depends on your usage. Make is often the most cost-effective for complex multi-step workflows. n8n can be the cheapest if you self-host. Zapier can become expensive at high task volumes.
Can n8n be self-hosted?
Yes. n8n has an open-source version you can run on your own infrastructure at no platform cost. Zapier and Make are both fully hosted SaaS platforms with no self-hosting option.
Which has the most app integrations?
Zapier has the largest native app directory with over 6,000 integrations. Make has over 1,500 pre-built integrations. n8n has over 1,300 native nodes but is highly extensible via custom nodes and generic API connectors.
Is Make better than Zapier for complex workflows?
Yes. Make's visual canvas and support for branching, looping, and data transformation make it better suited to complex multi-step automations than Zapier's linear builder.
Can I use Zapier, Make, and n8n together?
Yes. Many teams use Zapier for quick, simple automations; Make for more advanced visual workflows; and n8n for specialized, technical processes that benefit from self-hosting or heavy customization.
Which automation tool is best for developers?
n8n is generally the best choice for developers because of its open-source core, JavaScript support, custom nodes, and self-hosting option. Make also suits technical power users who prefer a visual interface.
Which automation tool is best for non-technical founders?
Zapier is the best starting point for non-technical founders. Its step-by-step builder, guided setup, and huge app library make it the fastest path to working automations without any engineering support.
What is the difference between a Zap, a Make scenario, and an n8n workflow?
A Zap is Zapier's linear automation built from a trigger and actions. A Make scenario is a visual flow-chart-style automation on a canvas. An n8n workflow is a node-based automation that can include JavaScript code nodes and custom logic.
Which tool is best for AI and LLM workflows?
n8n is a leading platform for AI agent orchestration, with native support for LLMs, vector databases, and multi-step AI agents. Make also supports AI modules. Zapier has some AI features but is less focused on complex AI workflows.
Which should you choose in 2026?
Choose Zapier if…
- You want something that "just works" for common SaaS automations with minimal setup
- Your team is mostly non-technical and you prefer a gentle learning curve
Choose Make if…
- You're hitting the limits of simple linear tools and need a richer visual builder
- You're managing complex processes but don't want to run your own infrastructure
Choose n8n if…
- You're comfortable with technical concepts and want maximum flexibility and control
- You care about self-hosting, data sovereignty, or deeply customized automations
Can you mix and match? Yes. Many teams use Zapier for quick, simple automations; Make for more advanced visual workflows; and n8n for specialized, technical processes that benefit from self-hosting or heavy customization. The right mix depends on your team's skills, budget, and how far you want to push automation.
For two-way comparisons, see: Zapier vs Make · Make vs n8n.
For full reviews, see: Zapier Review · Make.com Review · n8n Cloud Review.
Affiliate disclosure: ToolStackChoice.com may earn a commission if you purchase through the links above. This does not affect our editorial independence or scoring.