Dev Tools · 1h ago
n8n vs Zapier: Self-hosted automation saves $800/year for 12 workflows
n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool that competes with Zapier and Make. A 6-month test running 12 workflows on a $6/month VPS saved over $800/year compared to Zapier's $73.50/month plan. The tool offers 400+ integrations, custom JavaScript nodes, and version control via git.
Meridian48 take
The cost savings are real for high-volume users, but self-hosting overhead (Docker, SSL, monitoring) means n8n is best for developers willing to trade time for money.
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n8n review: I automated 12 saas.pet workflows with it in 6 months →
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workflow-automationopen-source