n8n vs Zapier: Self-Hosting Comparison
Should you self-host n8n or use Zapier? This detailed comparison analyzes costs, features, privacy, and customization between self-hosted n8n automation and cloud-based Zapier. We examine total cost of ownership, workflow limitations, data privacy implications, and technical requirements to help you make an informed decision about your automation infrastructure strategy.
Key Comparison Factors
Critical aspects to consider when choosing between self-hosted and cloud automation:
- Total Cost Analysis Compare monthly costs, scaling expenses, and long-term financial implications.
- Data Privacy Evaluate who has access to your workflow data, API keys, and business logic.
- Workflow Limitations Assess execution limits, workflow counts, and integration restrictions.
- Customization Capability Compare ability to create custom integrations and modify automation behavior.
- Technical Requirements Understand setup complexity, maintenance needs, and required technical expertise.
- Vendor Lock-in Risk Analyze migration difficulty and dependency on specific platforms.
n8n vs Zapier: Detailed Analysis
In-depth examination of how these automation platforms differ:
- Cost Structure n8n requires fixed VPS hosting costs ($10-50/mo) while Zapier uses usage-based pricing ($20-500+/mo).
- Privacy Model Self-hosted n8n keeps all data on your infrastructure. Zapier requires trusting third-party with business logic.
- Feature Comparison Both offer visual workflow builders. n8n provides open-source flexibility; Zapier has more pre-built integrations.
- Scaling Economics n8n costs remain fixed as usage grows. Zapier costs scale linearly with execution volume.
n8n Self-Hosted vs Zapier Feature Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of capabilities and costs:
| Feature | n8n (Self-Hosted) | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost (Heavy Use) | $20-50 (VPS) | $200-500+ |
| Workflow Limits | Unlimited | Plan-Based (5-Unlimited) |
| Execution Limits | Hardware-Limited Only | 100-2M per month |
| Data Privacy | Complete Control | Third-Party Access |
| Custom Integrations | ✓ Full Code Access | Limited to Platform |
| Setup Complexity | Moderate (Technical) | Easy (No Setup) |
| Vendor Lock-in | None (Open Source) | High |
| Pre-built Integrations | 350+ Nodes | 5000+ Integrations |
Start Self-Hosting n8n Today
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