Make
vs ZapierLowest entry price (~$9/mo) with a simple per-operation model instead of Zapier's per-task.
alternatives
The cheapest alternative to Zapier is Make (~$9/mo). If you want to self-host, n8n can run on your own infrastructure. Below: the strongest alternatives, ranked, with the real reason to switch.
Pricing decoded and verified 2026-06-01 against each vendor's live page; volatile figures flagged "verify live".
Zapier is the incumbent no-code automation platform with the widest app coverage (8,000+ integrations), priced per task (each successful action step). Now layering on AI via Zapier Agents, Copilot, and Chatbots. The drawback: You pay per task, meaning per successful action step, not per Zap run, so one multi-step Zap multiplies task usage fast. The headline ~$20/mo only buys 750 tasks and the bill scales steeply with volume. AI features (Zapier Agents at ~$33/mo, Chatbots at ~$13/mo) are separate paid add-ons.
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Ordered by how cleanly they replace Zapier.
Lowest entry price (~$9/mo) with a simple per-operation model instead of Zapier's per-task.
Free to self-host and cheapest at scale; billed per full run, not per credit.
Biggest free tier (5,000 credits/mo) and strong for data-heavy flows.
The baseline against every option, decoded.
| tool | entry price | pricing model | free tier | self-host | mcp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier baseline | ~$20/moverify live | per-task | 100 tasks/mo | No | Both |
| ~$9/mo | per-operation | 1,000 ops/mo | No | Both | |
| €20/mo | per-execution | self-host free | Yes | Both | |
| $37/mo | per-credit | 5,000 credits/mo | No | Both |
Dirr is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Zapier. Tool names and logos are the property of their respective owners. Figures are decoded from public pricing and dated; verify volatile prices on the vendor site before buying.
The cheapest alternative to Zapier is Make (~$9/mo). For self-hosting, n8n can run on your own infrastructure. The right pick depends on whether you optimize for price, control, or hands-off automation.
Yes. n8n is free if self-hosted, and Gumloop's free tier gives 5,000 credits/mo. Most listed tools have a free plan to test before paying.
Common reasons: You pay per task, meaning per successful action step, not per Zap run, so one multi-step Zap multiplies task usage fast. The headline ~$20/mo only buys 750 tasks and the bill scales steeply with volume. AI features (Zapier Agents at ~$33/mo, Chatbots at ~$13/mo) are separate paid add-ons.