Why I Stopped Using Zapier (And What I Use Instead)

For nearly three years, Zapier was the backbone of my automation stack. From connecting apps to building complex multi-step workflows, it handled everything I threw at it. But as my needs grew, I started hitting walls—and eventually, I made the switch to something better.

The Problem with Zapier

Don't get me wrong—Zapier is an excellent tool for beginners and simple automations. But when you start building more complex systems, you quickly run into limitations:

• Pricing that scales poorly: As your task count grows, costs can spiral out of control. I was paying over $500/month for what should have been basic operations.
• Limited logic and branching: While Zapier has Paths, complex conditional logic is clunky and hard to debug.
• No self-hosting option: Your data flows through Zapier's servers, which isn't ideal for sensitive information.
• Rate limits and delays: The 15-minute polling intervals and API rate limits can be frustrating for time-sensitive workflows.

What I Switched To

After evaluating several alternatives, I settled on n8n—an open-source workflow automation tool that you can self-host. Here's why it won me over:

"The best automation tool is the one that gets out of your way and lets you build exactly what you need."

1. True Self-Hosting

I run n8n on a simple VPS for about $10/month. No task limits, no data leaving my servers, and complete control over the infrastructure. For anyone handling sensitive data or working with clients who care about privacy, this is huge.

2. Visual Workflow Builder

n8n's interface is actually more intuitive than Zapier's once you get used to it. Workflows are displayed as node graphs, making it easy to see the entire logic at a glance:

// Example: Transform data in n8n
const items = $input.all();

return items.map(item => {
  return {
    json: {
      name: item.json.firstName + ' ' + item.json.lastName,
      email: item.json.email.toLowerCase(),
      createdAt: new Date().toISOString()
    }
  };
});

3. Custom Code Nodes

This is where n8n really shines. You can write JavaScript or Python directly in your workflows, giving you unlimited flexibility. No more wrestling with workarounds for simple operations.

The Migration Process

Migrating from Zapier to n8n took me about a weekend. Here's the high-level process I followed:

1. Exported a list of all active Zaps
2. Prioritized workflows by importance and complexity
3. Rebuilt each workflow in n8n, testing thoroughly
4. Ran both systems in parallel for a week
5. Gradually disabled Zaps as n8n workflows proved stable

The Results

After three months on n8n, here's what I've experienced:

Should You Switch?

Here's my honest take: it depends on your needs.

Stick with Zapier if:

• You're just getting started with automation
• Your workflows are simple (5 steps or less)
• You don't want to manage infrastructure
• Your budget isn't a concern

Consider switching if:

• You're hitting Zapier's limits regularly
• Your monthly bill is growing uncomfortably
• You need custom code in your workflows
• Data privacy is a priority
• You enjoy having more control

Final Thoughts

Making the switch from Zapier to n8n was one of the best decisions I made for my automation workflow. The initial learning curve was worth it for the flexibility, cost savings, and control I gained.

If you're curious about making the switch, I'd recommend spinning up a free n8n instance and rebuilding one of your simpler Zaps. You might be surprised how quickly you get hooked.

Have questions about n8n or automation in general? Drop me a message on Twitter—I'm always happy to chat about this stuff.