Quick Verdict
For most small businesses just starting with automation, we recommend starting on Make's free plan — it gives more room to experiment than Zapier's free tier before you hit a paywall, and the visual canvas scales well as your workflows get more complex. Move to n8n only once you have a specific reason to self-host, such as data privacy requirements.
If you run a small business, you are probably doing the same manual tasks over and over: copying leads into a spreadsheet, forwarding form submissions by email, or manually updating a CRM after every sale. Automation tools connect the apps you already use so those steps happen on their own, without anyone writing code.
The catch is that the three most popular options — Zapier, Make, and n8n — take very different approaches to pricing and complexity. This guide compares their official pricing, free plans, and the kind of business each one actually fits, so you can pick one without paying for features you will never touch.
Side-by-Side Snapshot
| Tool | Price | Free Plan | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier | $19.99/month billed annually or $29.99 billed monthly (Professional plan) | 100 tasks/month (two-step Zaps only) | 2026-09-24 |
| Make | $9/month billed annually (Core plan, 10,000 credits/month) | 1,000 credits/month | 2026-09-24 |
| n8n | €20/month billed annually (Starter plan, cloud; priced in EUR) | Free if self-hosted (Community Edition); 14-day cloud trial | 2026-09-24 |
Where These Numbers Come From
The prices and plan details in the table above are what we recorded for each tool, last checked on . Each section below links to the official site. Prices change often, so confirm the current price there before you decide.
Zapier
Verified 2026-09-24Overview
Zapier is the most widely used automation tool, connecting thousands of apps through simple trigger-and-action "Zaps." It favors ease of use over raw power, which makes it the easiest of the three to get started with in a single afternoon.
- The largest app integration library of the three, with pre-built templates for common workflows
- A visual, step-by-step editor that non-technical staff can learn without training
- Built-in filters and simple conditional logic ("only continue if...") without needing code
Small businesses that want the simplest possible setup and don't mind paying more per task as usage grows.
- Fastest to set up for common, simple automations
- Excellent documentation and community templates for almost any use case
- Pricing scales quickly once you need more than a light number of monthly tasks
Make
Verified 2026-09-24Overview
Make (formerly Integromat) uses a visual, node-based canvas where you can see an entire workflow as a flowchart. It supports more complex branching logic than Zapier at a noticeably lower starting price, at the cost of a slightly steeper learning curve.
- Visual flowchart-style builder that makes multi-step, branching workflows easy to follow
- Credit-based pricing (the Core plan includes 10,000 credits a month) that is usually cheaper than task-based pricing for busy workflows
- Built-in error handling and retry logic for each step in a scenario
Small businesses with multi-step or conditional workflows who want more control for a lower monthly cost.
- More automation power per dollar than Zapier for complex, multi-branch workflows
- The visual canvas makes it easier to debug exactly where a workflow failed
- The node-based interface takes longer to learn than Zapier's simpler step list
n8n
Verified 2026-09-24Overview
n8n is an open-source automation platform that you can self-host for free or run on n8n's own cloud. It is the most technical of the three, built for teams comfortable writing a little JavaScript when a built-in integration doesn't cover their exact need.
- Free and unlimited when self-hosted, since there is no per-task or per-operation billing
- Full code nodes for JavaScript/Python when a pre-built integration isn't flexible enough
- Open-source, so workflows and data never depend on a vendor staying in business
Technical founders or teams with some development experience who want unlimited automation without a rising monthly bill.
- No usage-based billing at all when self-hosted — genuinely free at any volume
- Full control over data, since self-hosted workflows never leave your own server
- Self-hosting requires basic server administration knowledge that Zapier and Make don't require
What to Weigh Before You Choose
Pricing Structure Details
Understanding how pricing is structured helps small businesses avoid unexpected costs. Check if plans include annual billing discounts and what additional fees might apply for extra features or usage.
Included Features and Limits
Clear knowledge of what's included in a plan prevents frustration from missing essential tools. Verify the number of actions, integrations, or data handling limits to ensure they meet business needs.
Billing and Payment Options
The payment method and currency flexibility affect financial planning and global operations. Ensure the tool supports the business's preferred currency and payment methods to avoid transaction issues.
Plan Flexibility and Scalability
As businesses grow, the ability to upgrade plans without significant disruption is crucial. Check if the tool offers smooth transitions to higher tiers with minimal downtime or cost increases.
Currency and Regional Availability
Different regions may have varying currency requirements and tax implications. Confirm the tool operates in the business's region and supports local tax regulations to prevent compliance issues.
Our Pick and Who It Fits
If you want the fastest possible setup and don't mind paying a bit more as you grow, Zapier is the safest starting point. If your workflows branch into multiple conditional paths, Make usually gives you more automation for the same budget. If you have any development experience and want to avoid usage-based billing entirely, n8n self-hosted is the only option with no ceiling on free usage.
Common Questions
What is the difference between Zapier and Make?
Zapier uses a simpler linear step editor and has the largest integration library, while Make uses a visual flowchart canvas that handles branching logic more efficiently and is usually cheaper for complex workflows.
Is n8n really free?
n8n is free and open-source when you self-host it on your own server — there is no usage-based billing. n8n also offers a paid cloud Starter plan at €20/month billed annually (n8n prices its cloud plans in euros) if you don't want to manage hosting yourself.
Do I need to know how to code to use these tools?
Zapier and Make are both designed for non-technical users and require no coding. n8n can also be used without code, but its advantage over the other two comes from optional code nodes for advanced cases.
Which automation tool is cheapest for a small business?
For light usage, Make's plans generally cost less than Zapier's for a comparable number of automated steps. For unlimited usage with no monthly bill increase, self-hosted n8n is the cheapest option, provided you're comfortable managing a server.
Can I switch between Zapier, Make, and n8n later?
Workflows are not directly transferable between platforms, since each uses its own automation format, but the underlying app connections (like your CRM or email provider) can usually be reconnected on a new platform without losing your account data.
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Pricing shown was accurate at the time of publishing and may change — verify on the official site.