The Real Workflow Automation Cost Comparison
Stop paying 300% markups on simple tasks. Compare Zapier, Make, and n8n to find the pricing model that scales without breaking your budget.
Why Most Automation Bills Are Out of Control
Most SaaS automation tools use a 'Task-Based' or 'Credit-Based' model. In these systems, every single step in your workflow is a billable event. If you build a sophisticated 10-step automation to handle a lead, you pay 10 times.
n8n changes the math. It uses an Execution-Based model. Whether your workflow has 2 steps or 200 steps, if it runs once, it counts as one execution. This decoupling of complexity from cost is why power users are migrating.
The Polling Tax
SaaS tools often charge you just for checking if there is new data. If you have a workflow that checks for a new email every minute, a SaaS tool might consume 43,000 tasks per month even if zero emails arrive. With n8n on Opsily, you only pay for the server. Idle workflows cost nothing extra.
TCO Comparison: 50k Monthly Units
How the workflow automation cost comparison math changes when you scale your operations.
Estimated costs based on March 2026 published SaaS tiers vs Opsily managed hosting.
Why Hosting n8n on Opsily Wins the Workflow Automation Cost Comparison
Get the power of self-hosted n8n without the DevOps headache.
Predictable Margins
Agencies use Opsily to provide fixed-price automation to clients. No more explaining why a busy month tripled the Zapier bill.
Strict Data Privacy
Your data never leaves the EU. All servers are located in Germany, providing full GDPR compliance out of the box.
Automatic Maintenance
We handle the updates, backups, and security patches. You focus on building workflows that grow your business.
Built for teams who need reliability
Saved per month by typical agency users
By switching from mid-tier Zapier plans to n8n on Opsily, teams reclaiming their margins immediately.
Start SavingMigration in 3 Steps
Moving your logic from Zapier or Make to n8n is simpler than you think.
Choose Your App
Select an app to get started.
Deploy n8n
Select n8n from the Opsily catalog. Your dedicated server in Germany is ready in under 3 minutes.
Import Templates
Browse 280+ free JSON templates to recreate your existing workflows instantly.
Go Live
Switch your webhooks over. Watch your execution count climb without your bill following suit.
Simple, Transparent Hosting
One flat fee. No task counting. Choose the server size that fits your automation volume.
Loading pricing...
Workflow Automation Cost FAQs
The primary difference lies between task-based and execution-based pricing. Tools like Zapier bill for every step in a workflow, meaning costs spiral as complexity increases. n8n uses execution-based pricing where a 10-step workflow costs the same as a 1-step workflow, provided they run on your own infrastructure like Opsily.
Ready to fix your automation costs?
Join 150,000+ developers and ops leads using n8n to build better workflows.