Free Tier Comparison
| Feature | Zapier Free | Make Free | n8n Community |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usage Limit | 100 tasks/month | 1,000 operations/month | Unlimited (self-hosted) |
| Workflow Limit | Unlimited Zaps | 2 active scenarios | Unlimited |
| Multi-Step | No (two-step only) | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | 7,000+ apps | 1,800+ apps | 400+ nodes + custom HTTP |
| Hosting | Cloud | Cloud | Self-hosted required |
| First Paid Tier | Professional $29.99/mo | Core $10.59/mo | Starter $20/mo (cloud) |
The Task Counting Trap
Zapier counts each step in a multi-step Zap as a separate task. A 5-step Zap that runs once uses 5 tasks. On the free plan (100 tasks), that's only 20 runs per month. Make counts operations per module but gives you 10x the volume at the Core tier ($10.59/mo).
FAQ
Which automation free tier is most useful?
Make Free. 1,000 operations/month with multi-step scenarios is genuinely usable for a solo operator. Zapier Free's 100 tasks with two-step-only is very limiting.
Is n8n really free?
The self-hosted Community edition is free and unlimited. But you need a server ($5–$20/month for a VPS) and the technical ability to manage Docker. Cloud-hosted n8n starts at $20/month.