Zapier vs Make vs n8n: Which Automation Tool Is Right for You? (2026)
Zapier, Make, and n8n are the three dominant no-code automation platforms — but they solve different problems for different people. This guide breaks down exactly how they compare so you can pick the right one and start building.
If you already know what no-code automation is and just want the comparison, skip to the table.
Zapier vs Make vs n8n: The Full Breakdown
1. Zapier: Best for Beginners
The pitch: The largest ecosystem with the gentlest learning curve.
Zapier pioneered the no-code automation space and remains the most accessible option. Its “Zaps” use simple trigger-action logic that anyone can understand within minutes.
Strengths:
- 8,000+ app integrations (largest ecosystem)
- Intuitive interface, minimal learning curve
- Excellent documentation and templates
- AI-powered workflow suggestions
Limitations:
- Gets expensive at scale
- Limited branching and complex logic
- Less control over error handling
Best for: Small businesses, marketing teams, individuals wanting quick wins.
Pricing: Free tier (100 tasks/month), paid plans from $19.99/month.
2. Make (formerly Integromat): Best for Visual Workflows
The pitch: More power and flexibility at a lower price point.
Make uses a visual canvas where you can see your entire workflow as a flowchart. This makes complex, multi-step automations easier to build and debug.
Strengths:
- Visual flowchart-style builder
- Advanced branching and error handling
- More operations per dollar than Zapier
- Better data transformation tools
Limitations:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer integrations than Zapier (2,500+)
- Can feel overwhelming for simple tasks
Best for: Power users, agencies, complex multi-step workflows.
Pricing: Free tier (1,000 operations/month), paid plans from $9/month.
3. n8n: Best for Data Control
The pitch: Self-hosted, open-source, and developer-friendly.
n8n gives you full control over your automation infrastructure. You can run it on your own servers, keeping sensitive data in-house.
Strengths:
- Self-hosted option (full data control)
- Open-source with active community
- No per-operation limits on self-hosted
- JavaScript/Python code nodes for custom logic
Limitations:
- Requires technical setup for self-hosting
- Fewer pre-built integrations (1,100+)
- Less polished UI than competitors
Best for: Developers, privacy-conscious organizations, high-volume automation.
Pricing: Free (self-hosted), cloud plans from $20/month.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Zapier | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integrations | 8,000+ | 2,500+ | 1,100+ |
| Learning Curve | Easy | Medium | Medium-Hard |
| Visual Builder | Basic | Advanced | Advanced |
| Self-Hosting | No | No | Yes |
| Free Tier | 100 tasks/mo | 1,000 ops/mo | Unlimited (self-hosted) |
| Starting Price | $19.99/mo | $9/mo | $20/mo (cloud) |
| Best For | Beginners | Power users | Developers |
Want to see these tools in action? We put together a free PDF with 10 step-by-step workflows you can build in Zapier, Make, and n8n — from auto-saving email attachments to AI-powered lead enrichment.
Which Tool Is Right for You?
The 3-Question Framework
1. What’s your technical comfort level?
- “I want it to just work” → Zapier
- “I can handle some complexity” → Make
- “I want full control and can manage servers” → n8n
2. How complex are your workflows?
- Simple A→B connections → Zapier
- Multi-step with conditions → Make
- Custom code and data transformation → n8n
3. What’s your budget and volume?
- Low volume, willing to pay for simplicity → Zapier
- Medium volume, cost-conscious → Make
- High volume, have technical resources → n8n
Tool Selection by Use Case
| Use Case | Recommended Tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing automation | Zapier | Best integrations with marketing tools |
| Complex data workflows | Make | Superior data transformation |
| Privacy-sensitive data | n8n | Self-hosted keeps data in-house |
| Agency client work | Make | Better value for multiple workflows |
| Quick personal automation | Zapier | Fastest time to value |
| Developer-heavy team | n8n | Code nodes and API flexibility |
5 Workflows You Can Automate Today
1. Lead Notification and CRM Updates
The problem: New leads sit in forms while you’re in meetings. By the time you respond, they’ve gone cold.
The solution: Instantly notify your team and create CRM records when leads arrive.
- Form submission triggers Slack notification
- Lead data automatically added to CRM
- Follow-up task created with due date
- Welcome email sent within seconds
Getting started: Connect your form tool (Typeform, Google Forms) to Slack and your CRM.
2. Social Media Content Distribution
The problem: Posting the same content across 5 platforms takes 30 minutes per post.
The solution: Post once, distribute everywhere automatically.
- Publish to your primary platform
- Auto-reformat and post to other networks
- Track engagement in a spreadsheet
- Get daily performance summaries
Getting started: Connect your blog RSS feed or primary social account to other platforms.
3. Invoice and Payment Workflows
The problem: Chasing payments and manually creating invoices eats hours every week.
The solution: Automate the entire billing cycle.
- Project completion triggers invoice creation
- Invoice sent automatically with payment link
- Payment received updates accounting software
- Thank-you email sent to client
Getting started: Connect your project management tool to Stripe and QuickBooks/Xero.
4. AI-Powered Email Responses
The problem: Responding to repetitive emails takes hours of your week.
The solution: Let AI draft responses for common inquiries.
- Email received triggers AI analysis
- AI categorizes email type and urgency
- Draft response generated based on templates
- You review and send with one click
Getting started: Connect Gmail to OpenAI’s API through Make or n8n.
5. Customer Onboarding Sequences
The problem: New customers need welcome emails, account setup, and training—all manually triggered.
The solution: Automated onboarding that runs itself.
- New customer added triggers welcome sequence
- Account provisioned in your software
- Training materials sent on schedule
- Check-in tasks created for your team
Getting started: Connect your payment processor to your email marketing tool and project management system.
Key Takeaway: Start with one workflow that saves you at least 2 hours per week. That’s 100+ hours back per year from a single automation.
The Market Context
The no-code automation market has grown to over $45 billion in 2026. According to Gartner, 70% of new enterprise applications now use no-code or low-code technologies. This isn’t a niche — it’s how most software gets built now.
| Statistic | What It Means |
|---|---|
| $45B+ market in 2026 | Massive investment and tool maturity |
| 70% of new apps are no-code | Enterprise adoption is mainstream |
| 80% of low-code users outside IT | Business users leading adoption |
| 22.8% CAGR through 2035 | Sustained long-term growth |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need coding skills to use these tools?
No coding required for Zapier and Make. They’re designed for non-technical users with drag-and-drop interfaces. n8n offers code nodes for advanced users, but you can build workflows without them.
How much can I automate on the free plans?
- Zapier: 100 tasks per month (a task is one action in a workflow)
- Make: 1,000 operations per month
- n8n: Unlimited if self-hosted, or 2,500 executions on cloud free tier
For personal use or testing, free tiers are sufficient. Business use typically requires paid plans within a few weeks.
Can these tools connect to custom or internal apps?
Yes. All three support webhooks and API connections for custom integrations:
- Zapier: Webhooks and custom API integrations available
- Make: HTTP/API modules for any REST API
- n8n: Full HTTP request capabilities and custom code nodes
If your app has an API, you can connect it.
Is my data secure with these platforms?
Zapier and Make are cloud-based, meaning your data passes through their servers. Both are SOC 2 compliant with enterprise security features. For maximum data control, n8n’s self-hosted option keeps everything on your infrastructure.
What happens if a workflow fails?
All platforms include error handling and notifications. You’ll receive alerts when workflows fail, and you can set up retry logic. Make and n8n offer more advanced error handling with branching paths for different failure scenarios.
The Bottom Line
- Choose Zapier if you want the easiest start and broadest app coverage
- Choose Make if you need visual workflows and better value at scale
- Choose n8n if data privacy or self-hosting matters to you
Start with one workflow that saves meaningful time. Once you experience the relief of automation running in the background, you’ll find dozens more opportunities.
Want 10 ready-to-build workflows using these tools? Subscribe to Learn Automation and get the free PDF guide — step-by-step automations for Zapier, Make, n8n, and AI. One email per week, no fluff.