Zapier vs Make vs n8n: The Definitive 2026 Comparison for Business Automation

Choosing an automation platform is one of the most consequential decisions for a small business. We built identical automations on Zapier, Make, and n8n to find out which actually performs best.

For simple automations under 5 steps, Zapier wins. The interface is intuitive. The app library is massive. Setup takes minutes. But costs escalate quickly as complexity increases.

For complex workflows with branching logic, Make dominates. The visual builder handles conditional paths elegantly. Data transformation is more powerful. And pricing is significantly lower than Zapier at scale.

For technical teams wanting full control, n8n is unbeatable. Self-hosting eliminates ongoing costs. Customization is limitless. But the learning curve is steep and maintenance falls on you.

Cost comparison on identical workflows: A 10-step automation processing 1,000 tasks monthly costs $49/month on Zapier, $16/month on Make, and $0 on self-hosted n8n (plus server costs around $10/month).

Reliability testing showed interesting results. Zapier had 99.9% uptime. Make had 99.7%. Self-hosted n8n depends entirely on your infrastructure. For business-critical automations, reliability matters.

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The best automation is invisible. It works in the background while you focus on what actually matters to your business.

Integration breadth: Zapier has 5,000+ apps. Make has 1,500+. n8n has 400+ built-in plus unlimited custom integrations. If your tools are common, all three work. For niche software, Zapier usually has it.

Our recommendation: Start with Make for the best balance of power and cost. Use Zapier for simple automations where speed matters. Consider n8n when you have technical resources and want to eliminate recurring costs.

The platforms are converging. Zapier is adding complexity features. Make is improving ease of use. n8n is growing its app library. Check back in a year and this comparison might be different.