Zapier AI vs Make vs n8n 2026: Best AI Automation Platform

Automation tools are the backbone of efficient business operations. In 2026, Zapier, Make, and n8n have all added AI capabilities to their platforms. This comparison helps you pick the right automation tool for connecting your apps and streamlining workflows.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Zapier	Make	n8n
Best For	Simple automations	Complex workflows	Self-hosted & developers
App Integrations	7,000+	1,800+	400+ (extensible)
AI Features	AI builder, code steps	AI modules	AI nodes
Free Tier	100 tasks/month	1,000 ops/month	Free (self-hosted)
Starting Price	$19.99/month	$9/month	Free / 20 EUR/mo cloud
Visual Builder	Linear	Canvas (branching)	Canvas (branching)
Open Source	No	No	Yes
Self-Hosting	No	No	Yes

Zapier: The Simplicity Champion

Zapier pioneered no-code automation and remains the easiest platform to connect apps. With 7,000+ integrations and a new AI-powered workflow builder, it makes automation accessible to anyone.

Strengths

• 7,000+ Integrations — The largest app library of any automation platform. If an app exists, Zapier probably connects to it.
• AI Workflow Builder — Describe what you want to automate in plain English and Zapier creates the workflow.
• AI Code Steps — Add custom code steps that AI writes for you, enabling complex logic without programming.
• Easiest Setup — Create simple automations in under 5 minutes.
• Tables — Built-in database for storing and processing data within workflows.

Weaknesses

• Expensive at scale — task-based pricing adds up quickly
• Linear workflow builder limits complex branching
• Multi-step Zaps require paid plans
• Limited data transformation compared to Make

Make: The Visual Workflow Master

Make (formerly Integromat) uses a visual canvas where you build workflows by connecting modules. It excels at complex scenarios with branching, loops, error handling, and data transformation.

Strengths

• Visual Canvas — Drag-and-drop builder with branching paths, routers, and iterators.
• Data Transformation — Powerful built-in functions for manipulating data between steps.
• Error Handling — Built-in error routes let you handle failures gracefully.
• Affordable — 1,000 free operations per month. Paid plans start at $9/month.
• Webhooks — Create custom webhook endpoints for real-time triggers.

Weaknesses

• Fewer app integrations than Zapier (1,800 vs 7,000)
• Steeper learning curve for beginners
• Operations-based pricing can be hard to predict
• AI features are less developed than Zapier

n8n: The Developer’s Choice

n8n is the only open-source option in this comparison. Self-host it for free and have complete control over your data and workflows. It appeals to developers and privacy-conscious organizations.

Strengths

• Free & Open Source — Self-host on your own server at no cost.
• Full Control — Your data never leaves your infrastructure. No vendor lock-in.
• Custom Nodes — Build custom integrations in JavaScript/TypeScript.
• Code + Visual — Switch between visual builder and code editor within the same workflow.
• AI Agent Nodes — Build AI agents that can use tools, search the web, and process data autonomously.

Weaknesses

• Requires server management for self-hosting
• Fewer pre-built integrations (400+)
• Smaller community than Zapier or Make
• Cloud version is newer and less mature

Pricing

Plan	Zapier	Make	n8n
Free	100 tasks/mo (5 Zaps)	1,000 ops/mo	Unlimited (self-hosted)
Starter	$19.99/mo (750 tasks)	$9/mo (10K ops)	20 EUR/mo (cloud)
Pro	$49/mo (2K tasks)	$16/mo (10K ops)	50 EUR/mo (cloud)
Team	$69/mo (2K tasks)	$29/mo (10K ops)	Custom

Which Should You Choose?

Zapier — Non-technical teams that need quick, simple automations across many apps. Best for connecting popular SaaS tools.

Make — Power users who need complex workflows with branching logic, loops, and data transformation at an affordable price.

n8n — Developers and organizations that want open-source, self-hosted automation with full data control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Make better than Zapier?

Make is better for complex multi-step workflows with branching and data transformation. Zapier is easier for simple automations and has more integrations (7,000+ vs 1,800+).

Is n8n really free?

n8n is free for self-hosting. Cloud-hosted n8n starts at 20 EUR/month.

Which automation tool has the best AI features?

Zapier leads with AI features including natural language workflow creation and AI code steps. Make and n8n support AI through API integrations.

Final Verdict

For simplicity, choose Zapier. For complexity and value, choose Make. For control and customization, choose n8n. Many teams start with Zapier for quick wins and migrate to Make or n8n as their automation needs grow.