The Definitive Automation Free Tier Table
| Platform | Monthly Volume | Unit | Active Workflows | Key Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier | 100/mo | Tasks (each step counts) | Unlimited Zaps | 2-step only (trigger + 1 action) |
| Make | 1,000/mo | Operations (each module counts) | 2 active scenarios | 2-scenario limit, not volume |
| n8n (self-hosted) | Unlimited | Executions | Unlimited | Self-host required (Docker) |
| Pipedream | 100/mo | Credits | 3 active workflows | Developer-focused, code required |
| Bardeen | 100/mo | Credits | Unlimited non-premium | Browser extension only, Starter $99/mo |
Volume Comparison: How Far Does Free Get You?
A typical 3-step automation (trigger + 2 actions) consuming differently across platforms:
| Platform | Cost per Run | Free Runs/Month | Cheapest Paid Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier | N/A (2-step only on free) | 0 (3-step needs Professional) | $29.99/mo (750 tasks) |
| Make | 3 operations | ~333 runs | $10.59/mo (10,000 ops) |
| n8n (self-hosted) | 1 execution | Unlimited | $0 (self-hosted) or $20/mo cloud |
| Pipedream | ~3 credits | ~33 runs | $29/mo (2,000 credits) |
Most generous free tier: n8n self-hosted (unlimited everything, but you manage the server). For cloud-hosted, Make Free (1,000 ops = ~333 three-step runs) gives you 10x more capacity than Zapier Free (100 tasks, 2-step only).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Zapier Free only allow 2-step Zaps?
Zapier gates multi-step Zaps behind the Professional plan ($29.99/mo). On Free, every Zap must be exactly one trigger + one action. This means no filters, no conditional logic, and no adding a Slack notification after creating a CRM record. It's the most restrictive free tier of any automation tool.
Is self-hosting n8n really free?
The software is free and open source. You pay for hosting: $5–20/month on Railway, Render, or a VPS. Plus your time maintaining it. For technical teams, this is the most cost-effective option at any volume. For non-technical teams, Make Cloud is the better choice.
What happens when I hit a free tier limit?
Zapier: workflows pause until next month or you upgrade. Make: scenarios stop executing. Pipedream: workflows queue and execute next month. None of the platforms charge overages on free — they stop, not bill.
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