Last Updated: May 2026
AI Automation Pricing Comparison 2026: All 15 Platforms
The complete pricing breakdown for every AI automation and agent platform we cover. Free tiers, entry-level plans, mid-tier, top-tier, and enterprise pricing — all in one place.
Pricing Model Breakdown
Understanding how each platform charges is as important as the sticker price. Different pricing models favor different usage patterns.
Per-Task / Per-Credit Pricing
Zapier, Make.com, Lindy.ai, Gumloop, Activepieces all use some form of per-action pricing. The key difference is granularity:
- Zapier charges per "task" — each action in a Zap counts. A 5-step Zap running once = 5 tasks.
- Make.com charges per "operation/credit" — similar to Zapier tasks but with more generous allocations per tier.
- Lindy.ai uses credits that incorporate AI model costs, so AI-heavy actions consume more credits.
- Gumloop uses credits that vary by node type — AI nodes cost more than simple data nodes.
Per-Execution Pricing
n8n charges per workflow execution (Cloud plans). One execution = one full workflow run, regardless of how many nodes it contains. This model favors complex, multi-step workflows.
Flat / Unlimited Pricing
Albato offers unlimited automations on its $15/month Pro plan (up to 2M transactions). n8n self-hosted is completely free with no limits. These are the most predictable cost models.
Per-Editor / Per-Seat Pricing
Voiceflow charges per editor ($60-150/month per seat). Botpress charges a base fee plus AI usage. This model can get expensive for larger teams.
Enterprise / Custom Pricing
Workato, Beam.ai, GetDynamiq do not publish fixed prices. Workato typically runs $40,000-250,000/year. These platforms target organizations where the automation cost is a rounding error compared to the processes being automated.
Cost at Scale: Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: Small Business (1,000 automations/month)
- n8n self-hosted: ~$10-20/month (VPS only)
- Albato Pro: $15/month
- Make.com Core: $10.59/month
- Zapier Professional: $29.99/month (750 tasks)
- Activepieces Plus: $25/month + ~$1/1,000 tasks
Scenario 2: Growing Team (10,000 automations/month)
- n8n self-hosted: ~$20-40/month (VPS only)
- Albato Pro: $15/month
- Make.com Core/Pro: $10.59-18.82/month
- Zapier Team: $103.50/month
- Gumloop Solo: $37/month (10,000 credits)
Scenario 3: High-Volume (100,000 automations/month)
- n8n self-hosted: ~$40-80/month (VPS only)
- Albato Pro: $15/month
- Make.com Teams: $34.12/month
- Zapier: $2,000-3,000+/month
- Workato Team: $2,000/month
Affiliate Commission Comparison
For content creators and review sites, affiliate commissions are a critical factor in platform recommendations. Here is the ranking:
- GetDynamiq: 50% recurring for 12 months (highest in category)
- Make.com: 35% recurring for 12 months
- Pipedream: 33% recurring for 12 months
- n8n: 30% recurring for 12 months
- Botpress: 30% recurring for 12 months
- Albato: 30% recurring lifetime (best long-term)
- Voiceflow: Up to 30% (agency partners)
- Activepieces: 10-25% tiered (up to 3 years)
- Lindy.ai: 20% recurring for 12 months
- Gumloop: 20% recurring for 12 months
- Bardeen: 20% recurring for 24 months
- Relevance AI: 15% recurring for 12 months
- Workato: 10% first-year ARR (credit only)
- Zapier: No affiliate program
- Beam.ai: No affiliate program
Our Recommendation
For most teams, Make.com offers the best value. Its Core plan at $10.59/month provides 10,000 credits, unlimited scenarios, and access to the best visual workflow builder on the market. If you need to minimize costs, n8n self-hosted is unbeatable at $0 software cost. If you need simplicity over everything else, Zapier remains the easiest to use — just be prepared for higher bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which AI automation platform is cheapest?
n8n self-hosted is the cheapest at $0 software cost (you pay only for hosting). Among paid cloud platforms, Albato at $15/month for unlimited automations is the cheapest. Make.com at $10.59/month is also extremely competitive for the features offered.
Which platform offers the best free tier?
n8n self-hosted offers unlimited free executions with full features. Among cloud platforms, Activepieces and Gumloop offer generous free tiers. Zapier's free tier (100 tasks/month with 2-step Zaps only) is the most restrictive among major platforms.
Why is Zapier so much more expensive?
Zapier charges per "task" (each action step counts separately), and prices escalate steeply. A 5-step Zap running once counts as 5 tasks. Combined with lower task allowances per tier compared to Make.com's credits or n8n's executions, Zapier costs 3-10x more than alternatives at equivalent volumes.
What is the difference between tasks, credits, and executions?
Zapier counts "tasks" (each action in a Zap). Make.com counts "operations/credits" (similar to tasks but with different granularity). n8n counts "executions" (each workflow run, regardless of steps). n8n's model is most favorable for complex, multi-step workflows.
Which platform is best for enterprise?
Workato is the leading enterprise iPaaS with 1,200+ connectors and Fortune 500 customers, but starts at $2,000/month. For mid-market enterprise, Make.com Teams ($34.12/month) or n8n Business ($800/month with self-hosting) offer better value.
Do any platforms offer lifetime deals?
Activepieces has offered lifetime deals through AppSumo in the past. Albato offers the best ongoing value with lifetime affiliate commissions (30% for as long as referred users pay). Most other platforms use standard monthly/annual subscription pricing.