For agencies automating client work at volume, the three usually shortlisted are n8n, Make, and Zapier. The short version: Zapier is fastest to start and most expensive to scale, Make sits in the middle, and n8n is the most flexible and cost-effective once volume grows, especially self-hosted. Here is the honest breakdown.
| n8n | Make | Zapier | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost at scale | Lowest (flat / self-hosted, unlimited executions) | Mid (per-operation) | Highest (per-task, climbs fast) |
| Flexibility | Highest (code nodes, any API, full control) | High (visual, some code) | Lowest (rigid, prebuilt) |
| Self-hosting | Yes (own your data) | No | No |
| Learning curve | Steeper | Moderate | Easiest |
| White-label for clients | Yes (self-hosted) | Limited | No |
| Best for | Volume, custom logic, data control | Visual mid-complexity flows | Quick simple zaps |
For an agency running automations across many clients, n8n wins on cost and flexibility, and it can be self-hosted and white-labeled so client data stays yours. Zapier is fine for a few simple internal zaps but gets expensive fast. AOC builds primarily on n8n for exactly these reasons.
It is more involved than Zapier, which is why agencies often have it built and maintained for them rather than doing it in-house.
Yes. Most Zapier and Make workflows can be rebuilt in n8n, usually more cheaply and with more control.
n8n, especially self-hosted, where executions are effectively unlimited for a flat cost.
AOC builds and runs n8n automations for agencies, and migrates you off Zapier or Make. Describe it and get a scope back in seconds.
Scope a project →