TL;DR
Zapier for simplicity and integrations. Make for complex workflows at lower cost. n8n for self-hosted open-source automation.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Zapier | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free-$20/mo | Free-$9/mo | Free (self-host) |
| Integrations | 7,000+ | 1,500+ | 400+ |
| Complexity | Simple | Complex | Complex |
| Self-host | No | No | Yes |
| Free tasks | 100/mo | 1,000/mo | Unlimited |
1. Zapier
Simplest automation tool. Connect apps with triggers and actions. 7,000+ integrations. Best for non-technical founders automating basic workflows. Gets expensive at scale.
2. Make (Integromat)
Visual workflow builder for complex multi-step automations. More powerful than Zapier at lower cost. Steeper learning curve but 10x more operations on free tier.
3. n8n
Open-source workflow automation. Self-host for free or use cloud ($20/mo). Full JavaScript support, fair-code license. Best for technical founders who want control and unlimited executions.
How We Chose These Tools
We built identical automations on each platform, comparing ease of use, pricing at scale, integration coverage, and power for complex workflows.
Key Takeaways
- Non-technical founder, simple automations: Zapier.
- Complex workflows on a budget: Make.
- Technical founder, unlimited runs: n8n.