n8n vs. Zapier vs. Make: Why Cost, Control, and AI Make n8n a Game-Changer for Automation

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Let’s cut to the chase: Zapier and Make (formerly Integromat) have dominated the no-code automation scene for years. But there’s a new contender that’s flipping the script — n8n. Imagine an automation tool that doesn’t nickel-and-dime you for every tiny action, lets you host it on your own server, and even lets you code custom solutions when you hit a wall. Sounds too good to be true? Stick around, and I’ll show you why n8n isn’t just another tool — it’s a paradigm shift.

Cost Savings: How n8n Pricing Model Beats Zapier and Make

The Elephant in the Room: Pay-Per-Action vs. Pay-Per-Workflow
Zapier and Make operate on a “pay-per-action” model. Every email sent, database query, or Slack message burns a task or operation. For small businesses, this adds up fast. Let’s break it down:

• Zapier: Starts at $19.99/month for 750 tasks. Need 100,000 tasks? That’ll cost you approximately $734/month.
• Make: Slightly cheaper at $181/month for 100,000 operations.
• n8n Cloud: Charges per workflow execution, not per…