AUTOMATION

Automation platform cost. Zapier vs Make vs n8n at your real volume.

The same workflow, priced three ways — tasks, operations, and executions don't mean the same thing. This calculator translates.

UPDATED · 2026-04-25 RATES · VERIFIED FROM EACH PROVIDER FREE · NO SIGN-UP

Compare automation platform costs

INTERACTIVE · LIVE · VOLUME-BASED PRICING

WORKFLOW RUNS / MONTH 5k runs

AVERAGE STEPS / WORKFLOW 4 steps

SELF-HOST n8n

Pricing is volume-tiered, not linear — each platform jumps to the next plan when you cross its quota line. Numbers below pull live from each vendor's public page (verified 2026-04-25).

The unit gotcha: Zapier charges per task (one step run). Make charges per operation (one module run). n8n charges per execution (one whole workflow, regardless of step count). That's why steps-per-workflow tilts the math.

PROVIDER / PLAN MONTHLY NOTES

Zapier

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Per-step pricing — every action in a Zap counts as a task.

Make

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Per-module pricing — cheaper than Zapier at the same step count.

n8n Cloud

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Per-execution pricing — step count doesn't add to the bill.

n8n Self-Host

VPS · COMMUNITY EDITION

Free software, but you maintain the server, backups, and updates.

Methodology. We size you into the smallest plan whose quota covers your projected volume. Zapier and Make multiply runs × steps (each step is billable); n8n Cloud counts the execution itself, regardless of how many nodes it contains. Self-host n8n is the Community Edition (open-source, free) on a small VPS estimated at ~$7/month — real costs vary with traffic, database size, and whether you run queue mode. Annual-billed prices are used where vendors discount annual contracts. We do not model promotional credits, app-tier add-ons, or premium-app surcharges. Always confirm with the vendor before signup. Verified 2026-04-25.

Picking the right automation platform is half the battle. We've migrated stacks before.

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