Why SaaS Automation Tools Break Down at Scale
If you’ve worked with Zapier, Make, or similar automation tools, you probably noticed their costs quickly balloon as your workflows become more complex and frequent. These platforms typically charge per task or operation, and even a moderately busy workflow can easily cost hundreds of dollars monthly.
What Sets n8n Apart
n8n is an open source automation tool that you can self-host. Unlike SaaS platforms, it doesn’t charge per operation. Instead, your costs are mostly just your server bill — often $10–$20/month on a small VPS.
It also offers a real JavaScript Code node, providing much more control and flexibility than the limited scripting languages in many SaaS alternatives.
A Practical Example
Imagine a workflow that calls HubSpot, OpenAI, and Gmail sequentially 10,000 times per month across multiple clients. On Zapier or Make, this could easily cost between $200 and $400 each month.
On n8n, you just pay your VPS bill. You can pin API responses to nodes to speed up testing and save on API credits during development.
Downsides to Consider
n8n’s learning curve is steeper, and the user interface can feel rough. Some integrations may be missing or outdated. It isn’t the fastest setup for a quick, simple automation — SaaS tools still win there.
But if your workflows need conditional logic, custom code, or complex client-specific data handling, n8n’s control is priceless.
Takeaway
If you’re building automation that runs your business or services clients, self-hosting with n8n can dramatically reduce operating costs and give you unmatched flexibility. Spin up a small VPS, try the free self-hosted version, and see if it fits your workflow.
