AI Workflow Automation
Three tools for connecting apps and automating repetitive work without writing code — Zapier, Make, and n8n — each increasingly baking AI into the builder itself. We've reviewed all three, plus how they stack up against each other.
What this category covers
Zapier is the category's original and most connected player — the largest app catalog, a simple linear builder, and now separate Zapier Agents and Chatbots products layered on top. Make (formerly Integromat) trades some of that app breadth for a more visual, branching canvas and meaningfully lower pricing. n8n is the open-source alternative — free to self-host indefinitely, with paid Cloud plans and native code steps for teams comfortable with a steeper learning curve. All three increasingly market AI features (AI-assisted building, AI agent steps, bundled AI credits), which is why we're covering them alongside the rest of the AI tools on this site.
Pricing at a glance
| Tool | Entry paid tier | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier | From $19.99/mo (Professional) | Yes — 100 tasks/mo, two-step Zaps | Largest app catalog, simplest builder |
| Make | From $12/mo (Core) | Yes — 1,000 operations/mo, 2 scenarios | Cheaper visual/branching automation |
| n8n | From €20/mo billed annually (Starter Cloud) | Free self-hosted (Community Edition) | Open-source, self-hosting, code flexibility |
Figures verified directly on each vendor's official pricing page in September 2026. Zapier and Make prices are in USD; n8n's Cloud prices are in EUR as published, with no self-hosting cost at all if you run its open-source Community Edition yourself. Check each review for the full plan breakdown and higher tiers.
Browse the reviews
Zapier
The category's biggest name — the largest app catalog and the simplest builder to learn first.
Read the reviewMake
A more visual, branching canvas than Zapier, at a noticeably lower price.
Read the reviewn8n
Free to self-host indefinitely, with paid Cloud plans for anyone who'd rather not run servers.
Read the reviewHead-to-head comparisons
Zapier vs Make
The largest app catalog and the simplest builder versus a cheaper, more visual, branching canvas.
Read the comparisonMake vs n8n
A fully hosted, polished SaaS versus a free, self-hostable open-source alternative.
Read the comparisonFrequently asked questions
Which is easiest for a beginner?
Zapier, by a clear margin — its linear, step-by-step builder has the smallest learning curve of the three. Make and n8n both use a more powerful but less immediately intuitive visual canvas.
Which is cheapest?
Make, at every comparable paid tier, or n8n if you're willing to self-host the Community Edition for free instead of paying for Cloud.
Do I need to know how to code for any of these?
No — all three are built around no-code, drag-and-drop workflows. n8n additionally supports optional JavaScript/Python code nodes for edge cases; Zapier and Make handle most branching and logic needs without any code at all.
Our take
Start with what you actually need to connect and how complex the logic is. If an uncommon app is the deciding factor, Zapier's catalog wins. If you need real branching without extra cost, Make is the stronger visual builder for the money. If self-hosting or open-source matters more than either, n8n is the only one of the three that offers it. Full detail in our Zapier review, Make review, n8n review, and the two head-to-head comparisons above.
Sources: pricing cross-checked against our own Zapier review, Make review, and n8n review, each verified directly on the vendor's official pricing page in September 2026.