What I learned after using both to run Ulka Rocks
Neither is strictly better. They're designed for different users and different needs. Here's how to choose.
"Which is better - n8n or Zapier?" is the wrong question. Neither is strictly better. They're designed for different users and different needs.
I've used both. Zapier for quick wins when I was starting out. n8n for the heavy lifting that now runs my ecommerce business while I have time to focus on jewelry design and customer service. Here's what I've learned.
Zapier is better for: Simplicity and a wide range of out-of-the-box integrations. Non-technical users. Quick connections between common apps. Simple, linear workflows.
n8n is better for: Flexibility and complex logic. Technical users (or those willing to learn). Custom workflows with branching, loops, and error handling. AI-driven automations. Cost-effective scaling.
| Factor | Zapier | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Business users, non-technical teams | Developers, power users, technical teams |
| Ease of use | Very easy, beginner-friendly | Steeper learning curve |
| Integrations | 8,500+ pre-built apps | 1,200+ native, unlimited via HTTP/API |
| Workflow complexity | Simple, linear workflows | Complex branching, loops, sub-flows |
| Customization | Limited | Full code support (JavaScript/Python) |
| AI capabilities | Basic AI actions, plug-and-play | Deep AI infrastructure, model chaining |
| Hosting | Cloud only | Self-hosted (free) or cloud |
| Pricing model | Per task (each step counts) | Per execution (whole workflow = 1) |
This is where I was confused when I started. Zapier charges per task - every action step in your workflow counts toward your bill. n8n charges per execution - one workflow run counts as one, regardless of how many steps are inside it.
Real example: Say you run 150 automations a month, and each one has about 10 steps.
For complex, multi-step workflows, n8n often costs half as much - and handles more sophisticated logic.
Here's what a single content workflow looks like for me:
One workflow. All of this happens automatically:
Pick a topic
Research the topic with multiple AI agents
Generate the full article
Fact-check against sources
Format with my brand voice
Generate content for each platform
Create images with AI to match the topic
Swap backgrounds to my brand colors
Apply my brand typography
Auto-post to social media
That's a lot of steps. In Zapier, I'd be paying for every single one. In n8n, it's one execution.
More importantly - Zapier can't do this easily. The AI chaining, the image manipulation, the custom logic that ties it all together. n8n can.
Choose Zapier if: You're non-technical, your workflows are simple (trigger, action, done), and you want something working in 10 minutes with zero learning curve.
Choose n8n if: You're willing to learn, you need complex multi-step workflows, you're building AI automations, or you want to scale without watching your costs multiply.
I chose n8n because I needed automations that actually replace work - not just connect apps. The learning curve was real, but now I have systems that run significant parts of my business while I focus on what I actually love doing.
That said - I know not everyone has the time or interest to build these from scratch. Which is why I'm packaging the workflows I've already built.
I'm packaging the exact workflows I use - so you can skip the learning curve. Join the list to get them first.
No spam. Just workflows when they're ready.
n8n is an open-source workflow automation platform that allows you to connect different apps and services. Unlike cloud-only tools, n8n can be self-hosted for free or used via their cloud service. It excels at complex, multi-step workflows with branching logic, loops, and AI integrations.
Neither is strictly better - they serve different users. Zapier is better for non-technical users who need simple, linear workflows with minimal setup. n8n is better for technical users or power users who need complex workflows, AI capabilities, custom code, and cost-effective scaling.
n8n charges per workflow execution (the entire workflow counts as 1), while Zapier charges per task (each step counts). For a workflow with 10 steps run 150 times monthly, n8n costs approximately $20/month for 150 executions, while Zapier costs approximately $40/month for 1,500 tasks. n8n can also be self-hosted for free.
n8n offers capabilities Zapier lacks: self-hosting option, complex branching and loop logic, custom JavaScript/Python code execution, deep AI model chaining and integration, sub-workflows, and more advanced error handling. It's designed for building sophisticated automation systems rather than simple app connections.
n8n has a steeper learning curve than Zapier. While Zapier can be mastered in minutes, n8n typically takes a few hours to days depending on your technical background. However, once learned, n8n allows you to build automations that would be impossible or very expensive in Zapier.
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