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Workflow automation platforms have become essential for modern businesses looking to connect apps, automate repetitive tasks, and build scalable integrations. If you're trying to choose between n8n, Zapier, Make, and Pipedream for your automation needs, you've come to the right place. We used QBack to analyze over 1,900 G2 reviews, Reddit discussions, and current pricing across all four platforms to give you a clear picture of which one might work best for your team.
This comparison covers everything from no-code visual builders to developer-first code control. Whether you're a non-technical team wanting simple automations, a developer seeking code-level customization, or an enterprise requiring advanced governance, we break down the strengths, weaknesses, and true costs of each platform so you can make an informed decision.
Overview of Each Platform
n8n
What it is: n8n is a flexible AI workflow automation platform designed for technical teams. It allows users to build workflows with either code-level control or drag-and-drop functionality, offering both self-hosted and cloud-hosted options.
Target customers: Technical teams, including those in IT Ops, Sec Ops, Dev Ops, and Sales.
Key differentiators: Offers more freedom to implement multi-step AI agents and integrate apps, provides on-premise control or cloud convenience, features over 500 integrations, and emphasizes developer-friendly features and a self-hosted option.
Zapier
What it is: Zapier is a no-code workflow automation platform that connects thousands of web apps so users can automate repetitive tasks by creating "Zaps"—event-based workflows that move data between apps. It provides a visual editor, Tables for structured data, Interfaces for custom forms/apps, and AI-powered tools (Zapier Copilot, MCP).
Target customers: Non-technical teams, small and medium businesses, and enterprise teams looking to automate processes without developer resources; product teams, marketing, sales, support, and operations teams.
Key differentiators: Very large integration ecosystem (thousands of apps), strong no-code visual builder and templates, built-in AI features (Copilot and MCP), and unified platform (Zaps, Tables, Interfaces) for end-to-end automation. Zapier emphasizes ease-of-use and quick deployment for non-developers.
Make
What it is: Make is a visual, no-code/low-code automation platform (formerly Integromat) that lets users design, build, and run workflows (called scenarios) to connect apps and automate processes. It offers a drag-and-drop visual builder, extensive integrations (thousands of apps), and features from simple automations to advanced developer-style capabilities (API calls, custom apps, code modules, AI integrations).
Target customers: Freelancers and solopreneurs, SMB teams, agencies, and enterprises running mission-critical automation. Make's positioning lists Free/Core for individuals, Pro/Teams for growing teams, and Enterprise for large organizations.
Key differentiators: Visual-first scenario builder with granular control and debugging tools, large app/integration library (3,000+), credit-based usage model (fine-grained consumption tracking), on-prem agents & enterprise connectors, and new AI tool integrations (Make's AI toolkit and ability to use your own AI provider keys).
Pipedream
What it is: Pipedream is a developer-first integration and automation platform that lets teams connect APIs, build event-driven workflows, and write custom code steps (Node.js, Python, Go, Bash) without managing infrastructure. It provides prebuilt triggers and actions for thousands of apps, webhook endpoints, and tools for embedding integrations into products (Pipedream Connect) and AI agent integrations (MCP).
Target customers: Developers, engineering teams, startups building product integrations, and companies that need code-level customization for automations, including enterprises requiring compliance (SOC 2, HIPAA) and scale (Business plan with SLAs).
Key differentiators: Developer-first: full code support with npm/PyPI, GitHub sync, and local development workflows. Per-invocation pricing model and generous free tier for developers; integrated OAuth & credential management. Pipedream Connect & MCP features for building integrations into customer-facing products and AI agent tooling.
G2 Ratings and Reviews Comparison
| Platform | G2 Rating | Review Count | Top Pros | Top Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| n8n | 4.8/5 | 166 | Flexibility and ease of automation (45), Ease of use (36), Integrations (27) | Steep learning curve (26), Difficult learning (11), Poor interface design (11) |
| Zapier | 4.5/5 | 1,495 | Easy automation (186), Ease of use (178), Integrations (152) | Expensive (89), Pricing issues (71), Complexity of custom Zaps (51) |
| Make | 4.8/5 | 270 | Accessible automation (16), Intuitive interface (13), Time-saving (7), Affordable (6) | Error handling issues (8), Complexity for certain tasks (6), Steep learning curve (3) |
| Pipedream | 4.6/5 | 16 | Developer-first/code support, Easy webhook debugging, Large integrations marketplace | Steep learning curve for non-developers, UI/navigation issues, Pricing concerns for small users |
What Users Are Saying
n8n receives high praise for its flexibility, extensive integrations, and self-hosting capabilities. Users appreciate "tons of integrations," "self-hosting works pretty well," and "Docker setup is painless." However, concerns include its suitability for large engineering organizations, maintainability at scale, debugging/observability challenges, and a steeper learning curve for non-technical users.
"Tons of integrations and predefined nodes out of the box. Self-hosting works pretty well. Docker setup is painless. But... n8n is more of a prototyping tool than something I'd trust for production-scale business logic." — Reddit user
Zapier is widely praised for ease of use, breadth of integrations, and being beginner-friendly and reliable for many common automations. However, frequent themes include pricing increases and high cost for heavy usage; reliability/monitoring issues where Zaps can break when connectors change; and interest in cheaper/more flexible alternatives.
"Zapier often just breaks. They change code or an app connector is depreciated and everything breaks." — Reddit user belleuvefineart
Make is consistently praised for being powerful, flexible, and often more capable (and lower cost) than Zapier for complex automations. Users appreciate the visual builder and the ability to create complex multi-step workflows. However, recent pricing/credits changes and the move toward enterprise features have caused worry about higher costs and complexity. Users report confusing error messages and a steeper learning curve for non-technical users.
"Make is super cool and can be used for things Zappier can't." — Reddit user
Pipedream is praised for developer-centric features (code steps, npm support), quick webhook debugging, and cost-effectiveness at scale compared to Zapier. However, pricing is perceived as steep for small projects; free tier is seen as too limited by some users. Learning curve and UI navigation friction exist for non-developers.
"We ran a similar flow for workshop bookings...ended up going with Pipedream. Cheaper than Zapier, and easier to maintain than n8n. Bonus: solid support for Shopify webhooks + HTTP steps for calendar APIs." — Reddit user
Pricing Comparison
| Platform | Free Tier | Starter/Pro | Team/Business | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| n8n | Community Edition (self-hosted, GitHub) | Starter: €20/mo (annual) 2.5K workflow executions Unlimited users & workflows | Pro: €50/mo (annual) 10K workflow executions Business: €667/mo (annual) 40K workflow executions SSO/SAML/LDAP | Custom pricing Concurrent executions, AI workflow credits, enterprise support |
| Zapier | Free: $0 100 tasks/month, unlimited Zaps, 2-step Zaps, Zapier Copilot | Professional: $19.99/mo (annual) Multi-step Zaps, unlimited Premium apps, webhooks, AI fields | Team: $69/mo (annual) 25 users, shared Zaps, SAML SSO, priority support | Custom pricing Unlimited users, advanced admin permissions, VPC peering, annual task limits, TAM |
| Make | Free: $0 1,000 credits/month, +2,000 apps, 15-min intervals | Core: $9/mo (10K credits) Unlimited scenarios, minute-level scheduling Pro: $16/mo (10K credits) Priority execution, custom variables | Teams: $29/mo (10K credits) Team roles, scenario templates | Custom pricing Custom functions, enterprise apps, 24/7 support, overage protection |
| Pipedream | Free: $0 100 credits/mo, 1M AI tokens, 3 active workflows | Basic: $29/mo (annual: $348) 2,000 credits/mo, 20M AI tokens, 10 active workflows Advanced: $49/mo (annual: $588) 2,000 credits/mo, 50M AI tokens, unlimited workflows | Connect: $99/mo (annual: $1,188) 10,000 credits/mo, Pipedream Connect in production, auth for 100 external users | Custom pricing Volume pricing, custom invoicing, priority integration development, HIPAA workloads, SLAs |
Pricing Insights
- n8n is unique in offering a free self-hosted Community Edition on GitHub. Paid cloud plans start at €20/month (annual billing) with execution-based pricing.
- Zapier starts at $19.99/month for Professional, with task-based pricing and pay-as-you-go options. It's often cited as the most expensive option for heavy usage.
- Make offers the most affordable entry point at $9/month for Core, with credit-based pricing. Recent pricing changes (moving to credit system) have raised concerns among users.
- Pipedream has a free tier for developers but paid plans start at $29/month, making it pricier than Make for basic usage but cost-effective at scale for developers.
Cost considerations:
- n8n: Best value for technical teams willing to self-host; cloud pricing scales with executions.
- Zapier: Premium pricing for ease-of-use and extensive integrations; costs can escalate with volume.
- Make: Most affordable for mid-range usage; credit model requires careful monitoring.
- Pipedream: Developer-friendly pricing; cost-effective for high-volume, code-heavy workflows.
Positioning Map: Ease of Use vs Technical Control
The positioning map below illustrates where each platform falls on two key dimensions: Ease of Use (how quickly non-technical users can get started) and Technical Control (how much customization and code-level control is available).
CONTROL
CONTROL
Key Takeaways:
- Zapier prioritizes ease-of-use and breadth of integrations, making it ideal for non-technical teams and rapid deployment. It trades off deep customization for simplicity.
- Make strikes a balance, offering a visual builder with advanced features like routers, filters, and code modules, making it accessible to both non-technical users and developers.
- n8n and Pipedream are developer-first platforms that offer maximum technical control, self-hosting (n8n), and code-level customization (Pipedream), but require more technical expertise.
Reddit Sentiment and User Feedback
n8n
Positive:
- Users appreciate n8n's flexibility, extensive integrations, and self-hosting capabilities.
- Specific praise includes "tons of integrations," "self-hosting works pretty well," "Docker setup is painless," and being "powerful and flexible."
Negative:
- Concerns include its suitability for large engineering organizations, maintainability at scale, debugging/observability challenges, and a steeper learning curve for non-technical users.
- Some users find difficulty with large-scale maintainability, testing, and experience UI/UX friction.
Reddit discussions:
Zapier
Positive:
- Users praise Zapier for ease of use, breadth of integrations, and being beginner-friendly and reliable for many common automations.
- Some appreciate pre-built templates and rapid prototyping with minimal technical skills.
Negative:
- Frequent themes include pricing increases and high cost for heavy usage.
- Reliability/monitoring issues where Zaps can break when connectors change.
- Limited advanced features or expensive tiers for premium apps; support quality concerns.
- Interest in cheaper/more flexible alternatives (Make.com, n8n, self-hosted).
Notable quotes:
"Zapier doubled their prices 'overnight'... Make.com offers similar features for less" — Reddit user
"For a lot of businesses... having a fully managed solution with reliable uptime, pre-built integrations, and customer support is worth the investment." — zapier_dave
Reddit discussions:
Make
Positive:
- Users consistently praise Make for being powerful, flexible, often more capable (and lower cost) than Zapier for complex automations.
- They appreciate the visual builder, the ability to create complex multi-step workflows, and the large app/connectors set.
Negative:
- Recent pricing/credits changes and the move toward enterprise features have caused worry about higher costs and complexity.
- Users report confusing error messages, a steeper learning curve for non-technical users, and occasional frustration with debugging and support responsiveness.
Notable quotes:
"Yes lol.. just got an email, they're moving to a credit system. Basically means it is going to cost more to use Make going forward." — Reddit user
Reddit discussions:
Pipedream
Positive:
- Praised for developer-centric features (code steps, npm support), quick webhook debugging, and cost-effectiveness at scale compared to Zapier.
- Users note it as a practical choice when code-level control and integrations are needed (notably good OAuth/auth flow handling).
Negative:
- Pricing perceived as steep for small projects; free tier is seen as too limited by some users.
- Learning curve and UI navigation friction for non-developers.
- Some reports of product stability and billing/support issues in Trustpilot threads.
Notable quotes:
"I quite like it, very intuitive and easy to manage (especially auth). however, their pricing strategy is something I have a hard time accepting: the free tier is unusable..." — Reddit user
Reddit discussions:
Key Features Comparison
| Feature | n8n | Zapier | Make | Pipedream |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No-Code Visual Builder | ✅ Yes (node-based) | ✅ Yes (linear Zaps) | ✅ Yes (scenario builder) | ⚠️ Limited (code-first) |
| Code-Level Customization | ✅ Yes (JavaScript/Python) | ❌ Limited | ✅ Yes (code modules) | ✅ Yes (Node.js, Python, Go, Bash) |
| Self-Hosting | ✅ Yes (Community Edition) | ❌ No | ⚠️ Limited (on-prem agents) | ❌ No |
| Integrations | 500+ | 7,000+ | 3,000+ | 3,000+ |
| AI Features | ✅ Yes (AI agents, AI modules) | ✅ Yes (Copilot, MCP) | ✅ Yes (AI toolkit) | ✅ Yes (MCP, AI tokens) |
| Webhook Support | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (advanced inspection) |
| Multi-Step Workflows | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (Pro+) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Real-time Collaboration | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Yes (Team+) | ✅ Yes (Team+) | ⚠️ Limited |
| Error Handling & Debugging | ✅ Yes (detailed logs) | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ Yes (visual debugging) | ✅ Yes (webhook inspection) |
| GitHub Sync | ⚠️ Self-hosted | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Execution Pricing Model | Execution-based | Task-based | Credit-based | Invocation-based |
| Enterprise Features (SSO, RBAC) | ✅ Yes (Business+) | ✅ Yes (Enterprise) | ✅ Yes (Enterprise) | ✅ Yes (Business) |
Use Case Recommendations
Choose n8n if:
- You're a technical team that values self-hosting and data control.
- You need a flexible, node-based visual builder with code customization (JavaScript/Python).
- You want to avoid vendor lock-in and run workflows on your own infrastructure.
- You need multi-step AI agents and extensive integrations (500+).
- Best for: DevOps, IT Ops, technical teams, agencies requiring white-label automation.
Choose Zapier if:
- You're a non-technical team that prioritizes ease-of-use and quick deployment.
- You need the largest integration ecosystem (7,000+ apps) and pre-built templates.
- You want AI-powered features like Copilot and MCP without writing code.
- You're willing to pay a premium for reliability, support, and managed infrastructure.
- Best for: Marketing, sales, support teams, SMBs, enterprises seeking turnkey automation.
Choose Make if:
- You want a visual builder with advanced features (routers, filters, code modules).
- You need a balance between ease-of-use and technical control.
- You're looking for cost-effective automation with a credit-based pricing model.
- You want to scale from simple automations to complex, multi-step scenarios.
- Best for: Freelancers, solopreneurs, SMB teams, agencies, enterprises with complex workflows.
Choose Pipedream if:
- You're a developer or engineering team that needs full code-level control.
- You want to write custom code steps (Node.js, Python, Go, Bash) without managing infrastructure.
- You need advanced webhook debugging and OAuth/credential management.
- You're building product integrations (Pipedream Connect) or AI agent tooling (MCP).
- Best for: Developers, engineering teams, startups, enterprises building custom integrations.
Potential Drawbacks and Limitations
n8n
- Learning curve: Steeper for non-technical users; requires some familiarity with nodes and workflows.
- Self-hosting complexity: While powerful, self-hosting requires infrastructure management and maintenance.
- Scale concerns: Some users report challenges with production-scale reliability and debugging.
Zapier
- Cost: Premium pricing can escalate quickly with volume, especially for premium apps and multi-step Zaps.
- Reliability: Zaps can break when connectors change; monitoring and error handling are limited on lower tiers.
- Limited customization: Advanced logic and code customization are restricted.
Make
- Pricing changes: Recent move to credit system has raised concerns about increasing costs.
- Error handling: Users report confusing error messages and debugging challenges.
- Learning curve: More complex than Zapier for non-technical users; requires understanding of routers, filters, and data flow.
Pipedream
- Free tier limitations: Free tier is very limited (100 credits/mo, 3 active workflows), making it less suitable for small projects.
- Developer-focused: Not ideal for non-technical teams; requires coding skills to leverage full potential.
- UI/navigation: Some users report navigational and UI issues in the project interface.
Final Verdict
All four platforms offer strong value propositions in the workflow automation space, but they target different audiences:
- n8n is best for technical teams that value self-hosting, data control, and flexibility. It offers a powerful, node-based visual builder with code customization, making it ideal for DevOps, IT Ops, and agencies.
- Zapier is the gold standard for non-technical teams that prioritize ease-of-use, breadth of integrations, and quick deployment. It's more expensive but offers unmatched simplicity and reliability.
- Make strikes a balance between ease-of-use and technical control, making it suitable for freelancers, SMBs, and enterprises with complex workflows. Its visual builder and credit-based pricing offer strong value.
- Pipedream is the developer's choice, offering full code-level control, advanced webhook debugging, and tools for building product integrations. It's ideal for engineering teams and startups.
Your choice should depend on your team's technical expertise, use case complexity, and budget:
- Non-technical teams seeking simplicity: Zapier
- Technical teams needing flexibility & self-hosting: n8n
- Teams wanting a balance of visual builder & code: Make
- Developers needing full code control: Pipedream
For teams looking to streamline feedback and collaboration across any of these platforms, QBack offers a unified solution for managing automation workflows and project feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which platform is best for beginners?
A: Zapier is the most beginner-friendly, with a simple linear workflow builder and extensive pre-built templates. Make is also accessible for users who want more control without writing code.
Q: Which platform is most cost-effective?
A: Make offers the most affordable entry point at $9/month. n8n is the best value for technical teams willing to self-host (free Community Edition). Pipedream is cost-effective at scale for developers.
Q: Can I self-host these platforms?
A: n8n offers a fully self-hosted Community Edition on GitHub. Make provides on-prem agents for enterprise customers. Zapier and Pipedream are cloud-only.
Q: Which platform has the most integrations?
A: Zapier has the largest integration ecosystem with 7,000+ apps, followed by Make and Pipedream with 3,000+ each, and n8n with 500+.
Q: Do any platforms support AI agents?
A: Yes, all four platforms offer AI features. n8n supports multi-step AI agents, Zapier has Copilot and MCP, Make offers an AI toolkit, and Pipedream provides MCP and AI token support.
Q: Which platform is best for enterprise use?
A: Zapier and Make offer robust enterprise features with dedicated support, SLAs, and governance. n8n is ideal for enterprises requiring self-hosting and data control. Pipedream supports HIPAA workloads and custom SLAs for enterprises.
Sources & Links
Competitor Websites and Pricing Pages
n8n:
Zapier:
Make:
Pipedream:
Reddit Discussions
n8n:
Zapier:
- r/automation - Is Zapier's Dominance Coming to an End?
- r/zapier - Anyone Running a Lot of Zaps Run Into Issues?
Make:
- r/Integromat - Think Make Will Update Pricing After New n8n?
- r/Airtable - What's the Deal with Make.com?
Pipedream:
- r/automation - Pipedream vs n8n
- r/MarketingAutomation - Zapier vs Pipedream vs n8n for Shopify
- r/pipedream community
Additional Resources
Ready to optimize your workflow automation? Explore QBack for seamless collaboration and feedback management across all your automation projects.