n8n vs Make vs Zapier: 2026 Pricing & Comparison

Q: Which is cheapest: n8n, Make, or Zapier?

n8n is cheapest if you self-host its free open-source Community edition. Among paid cloud plans, Make's Core starts at $9/month, n8n Cloud Starter at about €20/month, and Zapier Professional at $19.99/month billed annually (verified June 2026).

Q: Is Zapier or Make better for beginners?

Zapier is the simplest to start with and has the widest app library. Make offers a more visual, flexible canvas for multi-step workflows at a lower price, with a slightly steeper learning curve.

Q: Do I have to pick just one?

No. Many businesses use the simplest tool that fits each job. The right choice depends on volume, complexity, and how much control you need, which a quick audit can settle.

By Kashif Ibrar, founder of kashifibrar LLC · Published June 9, 2026 · ~6 min read

How much does each cost in 2026?

Free to start on all three. Among paid plans, Make Core is cheapest at $9/month; n8n Cloud Starter is about €20/month; Zapier Professional is $19.99/month billed annually. Self-hosted n8n is free and open-source.

Platform	Free tier	Cheapest paid	Pricing unit
Zapier	$0 — 100 tasks/mo (2-step Zaps)	Professional $19.99/mo (annual)	Per task
Make	$0 — 1,000 credits/mo (15-min interval)	Core $9/mo (monthly)	Per credit/operation
n8n	Free, self-hosted (open source)	Cloud Starter €20/mo (annual)	Per execution (not per step)

Verified June 9, 2026 from Zapier, Make, n8n. Tasks, credits, and executions are not equivalent units — compare against your real volume, not headline price alone.

Which is best for beginners?

Zapier. It has the largest app catalog and the gentlest learning curve, so a non-technical owner can ship a simple automation fast. The trade-off is per-task pricing that climbs with volume.

If you want more power without much more difficulty, Make's visual canvas handles branching and multi-step logic well at a lower entry price.

When should you choose n8n?

Choose n8n when you want to self-host for cost or data control, need custom code and complex logic, or want to avoid per-task pricing as volume grows. It's the most technical option and the most economical at scale.

Because n8n prices by workflow execution rather than per step, a single run with many steps counts once — which can be dramatically cheaper for complex automations. Self-hosting also keeps data in your own environment, which matters for sensitive workflows.

Which should a small business pick?

If you…	Pick
Want the simplest start, widest apps	Zapier
Want visual multi-step at low cost	Make
Need control, custom code, or scale economics	n8n

In practice I often mix them — the simplest tool that does the job. Setting these up reliably (with error handling and monitoring) is what my workflow & CRM integration service covers.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheapest: n8n, Make, or Zapier?

n8n if you self-host the free Community edition. Among cloud plans, Make Core ($9/mo) is the cheapest entry, then n8n (~€20/mo), then Zapier ($19.99/mo annual). Verified June 2026.

Is Zapier or Make better for beginners?

Zapier is simplest with the widest apps; Make is more visual and flexible at a lower price with a slightly steeper curve.

When should I choose n8n?

For self-hosting, custom code, complex logic, or avoiding per-task pricing at scale.

Do I have to pick just one?

No — use the simplest tool that fits each job. A quick audit settles it.

Service: Workflow & CRM Integration
Pillar: AI Automation for Small Business
Guide: How much does AI automation cost?

Sources

Zapier pricing (verified June 9, 2026). zapier.com/pricing
Make pricing (verified June 9, 2026). make.com/en/pricing
n8n pricing (verified June 9, 2026). n8n.io/pricing

n8n vs Make vs Zapier for Small Business: 2026 Pricing & Comparison