n8n vs Zapier vs Make vs Custom Code: Which One Should Run Your Business Automation?

Описание и применение

Выбор платформы автоматизации зависит от количества шагов, объёма работы и технических навыков: Zapier подходит для простых задач, Make – для визуальных, ветвящихся процессов, n8n – для длинных, высокообъёмных рабочих процессов с фиксированной ценой, а собственный код необходим, когда нужны пользовательские интерфейсы или сохранённое состояние.

Задача

Choosing an automation platform that balances cost, control, and scalability for business workflows.

Результат

The guide demonstrates that Zapier is best for quick, low-step automations; Make suits visual, branching workflows at lower per-step cost; n8n excels for long, high-volume workflows with flat pricing and self-hosting; custom code is required when the automation needs user interfaces or persistent state.

Рабочий процесс

• Define the business workflow (e.g., lead capture → CRM update → email reply → Slack notification).
• Measure the number of steps and expected monthly volume.
• Calculate units per tool: tasks for Zapier, credits for Make, executions for n8n, server time for custom code.
• Compare units against each tool’s entry plan limits and pricing.
• Choose the tool that fits cost and technical requirements.
• If the workflow needs user interfaces or persistent state, opt for custom code (possibly with n8n for background jobs).

Доказательства

Zapier charges per action. Make charges per module. n8n charges per run.

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The same workflow, three bills. Zapier and Make count steps. n8n counts runs.

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Zapier: the easiest to start, the priciest per step

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Make: visual and cheaper per step

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n8n: flat pricing, self-hosting and code when you need it

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