Automation
Three platforms doing the same job on three different pricing units — and only one of them can run on hardware you own.
Every tool in this category
| Zapier | Make | n8n | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 100 tasks/mo 1 trigger + 1 action | 1,000 operations/mo multi-step allowed | unlimited executions on your own server |
| Entry paid tier | $19.99/mo annual 750 tasks | $9/mo annual 10,000 operations | $0 licence + the server |
| Charged unit | action step that runs | module that executes | nothing metered |
| Self-hosting | not available | not available | Community Edition |
Checked August 2026 against each vendor's own pricing page. Annual figures unless stated.
4 pages
HEAD TO HEAD
Tasks vs credits, app catalog size, and where each platform actually wins.
THREE-WAY
Make changes the pricing unit. n8n changes who owns the infrastructure.
EXPLAINER
Triggers, actions, filters, and paths: how the pieces connect, with a real example.
EXPLAINER
What counts as a task, what happens at your limit, and why annual billing saves 33%.