For agencies automating client work at volume, the three usually shortlisted are , 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.
Answer a few and get a recommendation for your situation.
| 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.
Rough estimate. Real pricing depends on your plan and steps per run. n8n assumes self-hosting at a flat cost.
One message with what you want to automate. No spec, no discovery-call gauntlet.
Ayush replies within a day with what to build, on which tool, and roughly what it takes.
White-label, on tech you own, and kept running. You are never locked into us to keep it working.
AOC builds and runs n8n automations for agencies, and migrates you off Zapier or Make. Describe it and Ayush sends back a real scope. White-label, on tech you own, no obligation, reply within a day.