Critical: These Platforms Count Differently
When we say “500 tasks/month,” we mean 500 complete workflow runs. Because each platform counts units differently, the same workflow consumes different amounts of each platform's quota. For a typical 4-step workflow:
| Platform | Unit | 500 Runs | 2,000 Runs | 10,000 Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier | Tasks | 1,500 tasks | 6,000 tasks | 30,000 tasks |
| Make | Operations | 2,000 ops | 8,000 ops | 40,000 ops |
| n8n Cloud | Executions | 500 exec | 2,000 exec | 10,000 exec |
Plans Used in This Analysis
| Platform | Plan | Price | Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier | Professional | $29.99/mo | 750 tasks/mo |
| Zapier | Team | $103.50/mo | 2,000 tasks/mo |
| Make | Core | $10.59/mo | 10,000 ops/mo |
| Make | Pro | $18.82/mo | 10,000 ops/mo |
| n8n Cloud | Starter | $20/mo | 2,500 executions/mo |
| n8n Cloud | Pro | $50/mo | 10,000 executions/mo |
| n8n | Community (self-hosted) | $0/mo | Unlimited |
Year 1: 500 Workflow Runs/Month
At 500 runs/month with 4-step workflows, Zapier needs the Professional plan (1,500 tasks fits in 750 only if workflows are 1–2 steps; realistic multi-step workflows need Team or careful batching). Make Core handles it easily. n8n Starter covers it with room to spare.
| Platform | Plan Needed | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier | Team ($103.50/mo for 2K tasks) | $103.50 | $1,242 |
| Make | Core (10K ops) | $10.59 | $127.08 |
| n8n Cloud | Starter (2,500 exec) | $20 | $240 |
| n8n Self-Hosted | Community (unlimited) | $0 + hosting | ~$60–$120 hosting |
Year 2: 2,000 Workflow Runs/Month
At 2,000 runs with 4-step workflows, Zapier burns 6,000 tasks/month — well beyond the Team plan's 2,000 task limit. You need custom/enterprise pricing or careful workflow consolidation. Make needs additional operations (8,000 ops, within Core's 10K limit). n8n Starter's 2,500 executions is tight; Pro at $50/mo gives comfortable headroom.
| Platform | Plan Needed | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier | Enterprise (custom pricing) | ~$250+/mo est. | ~$3,000+ |
| Make | Core (10K ops — still fits) | $10.59 | $127.08 |
| n8n Cloud | Pro (10K exec) | $50 | $600 |
| n8n Self-Hosted | Community (unlimited) | $0 + hosting | ~$60–$120 hosting |
Year 3: 10,000 Workflow Runs/Month
At 10,000 runs with 4-step workflows, Zapier consumes 30,000 tasks/month — deep into enterprise pricing territory. Make needs 40,000 operations (4x the Core plan's limit, so you buy additional ops or upgrade). n8n Pro handles 10,000 executions perfectly at $50/mo.
| Platform | Plan Needed | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier | Enterprise (custom) | ~$500+/mo est. | ~$6,000+ |
| Make | Teams + extra ops (40K ops needed) | ~$68–$100/mo | ~$816–$1,200 |
| n8n Cloud | Pro (10K exec) | $50 | $600 |
| n8n Self-Hosted | Community (unlimited) | $0 + hosting | ~$120–$240 hosting |
3-Year Total Cost Summary
| Platform | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier | $1,242 | ~$3,000 | ~$6,000 | ~$10,242 |
| Make | $127 | $127 | ~$1,000 | ~$1,254 |
| n8n Cloud | $240 | $600 | $600 | $1,440 |
| n8n Self-Hosted | ~$90 | ~$90 | ~$180 | ~$360 |
Key Takeaway
Over 3 years, Zapier costs roughly $10,000+ while Make costs ~$1,254 and n8n Cloud costs $1,440 for the same work. Make saves you ~$9,000 vs Zapier. n8n self-hosted is the cheapest at ~$360 but requires technical maintenance. Zapier's ease of use comes at a steep premium that compounds as volume grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Zapier so much more expensive at scale?
Can I self-host n8n to eliminate subscription costs?
Does Make Core really handle 2,000 workflow runs at $10.59/mo?
When does Zapier still make sense despite the higher cost?
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