For teams outgrowing Zapier or Make
n8n workflows built properly, documented, and handed over to you
Lead intake, CRM sync, WhatsApp, invoicing and reporting on n8n, with error alerts and version control, hosted where it suits you.
How n8n, Zapier and Make charge
| Criterion | Zapier | Make | n8n Cloud | n8n self-hosted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billing unit | Tasks: each successful action step | Credits: most actions use one credit | Workflow executions: one run of a whole workflow | Your server costs; the community edition is free to use |
| What makes the bill grow | More steps per run, more runs | More modules per run, more runs | More runs, not more steps | Server size and upkeep |
| Who maintains it | Zapier | Make | n8n | You, or someone you hire |
| Good fit when | Few, simple workflows and no developer | Visual scenarios at moderate volume | Long workflows run often, without managing a server | High volume, data kept on your own server |
Where the billing details come from
- Oct 2026Billing units as described on each product's pricing page when this page was reviewed: Zapier counts tasks, Make counts credits, n8n Cloud counts workflow executions regardless of the number of steps. Plans change, so check current prices before deciding.
How an n8n project runs
- 01
Map what you automate today
We list every existing automation: Zapier zaps, Make scenarios, spreadsheet macros, Apps Script and the manual steps people do from memory. You get a written plan of what moves to n8n, what stays inside your CRM and what is not worth automating.
- 02
Build it like software
Workflows are kept in version control, retry when a service fails, alert your Slack or Telegram when something breaks, and come with a short document your operations team can read. They run on n8n Cloud, a server you own, or a server we manage for you.
- 03
Hand over and support
Your team gets the workflows, the documentation and access to everything. We agree a support arrangement that suits you, from regular reviews to only being called when needed, and you can take it fully in-house at any point.
What teams build on n8n
Each of these includes retries, error alerts, version control and a named owner on your side.
Lead intake and CRM clean-up
Website forms, JustDial, IndiaMART and Meta lead ads normalised, checked for duplicates and pushed into HubSpot, Zoho or Sell.do with the source kept.
How AI lead qualification works on WhatsAppWhatsApp messages from CRM events
CRM changes trigger approved WhatsApp templates through your provider, and replies come back into the CRM as activities.
WATI, Interakt and AiSensy comparedInvoices and GST entries from payments
Razorpay, Stripe or Cashfree payments create invoices in Zoho Books or Tally, email the PDF and reconcile against the bank statement.
Automation for service businesses, enquiry to invoiceShopify orders to shipping
Paid Shopify orders create shipments, status changes go to the customer on WhatsApp, and returns are logged for the operations team.
WhatsApp automation for D2C brands explainedDaily reports from every source
CRM, payments, Shopify and ad platforms pulled into one dashboard every night, with an alert when a number moves outside its usual range.
Dashboards and internal tools for your teamAI steps inside a workflow
Classifying an email, reading an invoice or drafting a reply, with a person approving anything that goes out to a customer.
Automations and AI built for your business

Capability showcase: how we do this work · Operations & Internal Software
Dashboards and Internal Tools People Use
Read how we do this workCheck whether n8n is the right tool for you
The Automation Advisor asks about your team, your tools and the work you repeat, then suggests what to automate and which tools fit. Sometimes the answer is Zapier, Make or a feature you already pay for.
Open the full tool
Launch the interactive version in a new tab to plug in your numbers.
Open the toolFrequently asked questions
Should we use n8n Cloud or host it ourselves?
n8n Cloud is quickest to start and n8n maintains it. Self-hosting gives you control over where data lives and costs only the server, but someone has to keep it updated, backed up and monitored. If you have no one to do that, Cloud or a server we manage is usually the better choice.When is n8n cheaper than Zapier or Make?
Usually when workflows have many steps and run often, because n8n Cloud charges per workflow run while Zapier and Make charge per step. For a few simple automations, Zapier or Make can cost less and need no upkeep. We price your actual workflows on each option before recommending one.Who owns the workflows?
You do. Workflows are exported to a repository in your organisation's account, with documentation for each one: what triggers it, what it changes, how it retries and who gets alerted. If you take the work in-house, everything keeps running without us.What happens when a workflow breaks?
Failed steps retry automatically. Anything that still fails is set aside for review instead of being lost, and important workflows such as payments or customer messages alert your team immediately so you know before a customer does.Can n8n connect to Tally, Sell.do or IndiaMART?
Where a tool has an API, webhooks or a file export, n8n can usually work with it, and its code steps handle formats that ready-made connectors do not. We check each tool you use during the Consultation and tell you where a connection will be fragile.
Related guides
Pages that pair with an n8n project.
Last reviewed October 2026
Find out which of your workflows belong on n8n, and which do not.
In a Consultation we list what you automate today and what your team still does by hand. You get a plan: what to build, what to skip, the build cost and the timeline.
