Free Tier Comparison Table
| Platform | Volume Limit | Workflow Limit | Step Limit | Hosting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier | 100 tasks/month | Unlimited Zaps | Two-step only (1 trigger + 1 action) | Cloud |
| Make | 1,000 ops/month | 2 active scenarios | Unlimited steps | Cloud |
| n8n | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Self-hosted (Docker) |
Zapier Free — 100 Tasks, Two-Step Only
Zapier's free plan allows unlimited Zaps but limits each to two steps (one trigger, one action) and caps total task volume at 100 per month. For simple integrations — new form submission creates a Slack message — this works. For anything with branching, formatting, or multiple actions, you need the Professional plan at $29.99/month.
Critical detail:A multi-step Zap on a paid plan consumes one task per step. A 5-step Zap that runs 20 times uses 100 tasks. Zapier's free tier runs out fast once workflows have any complexity.
Make Free — 1,000 Operations, 2 Scenarios
Make's free tier is 10x more generous on volume (1,000 operations vs Zapier's 100 tasks) and allows unlimited steps per scenario. The constraint is 2 active scenarios — you can only have two automations running at once. For two high-value workflows, Make Free delivers real utility.
Best for:Users who need 1–2 complex automations with multiple steps. Make counts operations differently than Zapier counts tasks — a filter or router in Make uses one operation, making complex workflows more affordable.
n8n Community — Unlimited Everything, Self-Hosted
n8n's self-hosted Community edition is completely free with no limits on workflows, executions, or steps. The catch: you need to run it on your own infrastructure (Docker, VPS, or local machine). The cloud-hosted version starts at €20/month (~$22) for 2,500 executions.
Best for: Developers and technical teams who can manage a Docker container. If you have the skill to self-host, n8n Free is the most powerful automation tool at any price point, not just the free tier.
Also Free: Pipedream and Bardeen
Pipedream Free: 100 credits/month and 3 active workflows. Developer-focused with custom code (Node.js, Python). Best for technical users building API integrations.
Bardeen Free: 100 credits/month for basic browser-based automations. Chrome extension that automates web tasks. Good for web scraping and browser-native workflows, but the paid plans jump to $99/month.
Common Mistakes
- Comparing task counts directly. Zapier's 100 “tasks” and Make's 1,000 “operations” are not the same unit. A Zapier task is one step execution; a Make operation is one module execution. Make is more generous by any measure, but the accounting differs.
- Choosing Zapier Free for multi-step workflows. Zapier Free is two-step only. If your workflow needs a trigger + filter + two actions, you need Zapier Professional at $29.99/month. Make Free handles this for $0.
- Assuming n8n “free” means “no cost.” Self-hosting n8n requires a server ($5–20/month for a VPS) plus your time managing it. The total cost is $60–240/year in hosting alone, before accounting for maintenance time.
- Not testing all three before committing. All three have free tiers. Build the same workflow on each, compare the experience, and decide before you invest time building complex automations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which free automation tool is best for non-technical users?
Zapier Free. Its interface is the simplest, its integration library is the largest (7,000+ apps), and two-step Zaps cover basic integrations. If you need more than two steps, Make Free is the next-easiest option.
Is n8n really free?
The self-hosted Community edition is free with no usage limits. However, you need a server to run it. The cloud-hosted version starts at approximately $22/month (Starter plan, billed in EUR). For developers who can manage Docker, the self-hosted edition is genuinely unlimited at $0 in software cost.
Can I run a real business on Make Free with 2 scenarios?
If two workflows cover your critical automations, yes. Many small businesses only need 1–2 automations (e.g., lead capture to CRM, and order notification to Slack). The 1,000 operations/month limit handles moderate volume for most SMBs.
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