Zapier bill doubled since I added the photo step — is n8n actually cheaper or just more work?

Replies

1. U

   Uma R. @uma-rMarketing lead · uses n8n, Airtable and Zapier

   Cheaper, yes, and it’s per workflow run not per step, which is what’s killing you on Zapier. But the first week is annoying. n8n cloud starter is fine if you don’t want to host. I moved four zaps and kept two on Zapier because the Airtable node in n8n was fiddly for one of them.

   Sep 4Tess H., Wyatt J., Vivi N. and others agree
2. V

   Vivi N. @vivi-nCommunity organizer · uses Airtable and n8n

   Before you move anything: does the photo need resizing in Zapier at all? Airtable attachments show thumbnails on their own. Dropping one step may be all you need.

   Sep 5Tess H., Wyatt J. and Wade C. agree
3. Z

   Zora B. @zora-bBookkeeper · uses n8n and Airtable

   Receipt Drop is all n8n on Railway. Cost is basically the Railway bill. Someone on here talked me through the setup in one call and I haven’t touched the server since. That said, I’d try to cut the photo step first, that’s the one costing you.

   Sep 5Tess H. and Uma R. agree
4. T

   Tess H. @tess-hDog walker · uses Airtable and Zapier

   Tried Vivi’s thing first and dropped the resize. Bill went down but not enough. Doing the n8n cloud trial this week, will report back.

   Sep 7Vivi N. agrees
5. W

   Wyatt J. @wyatt-jYouth pastor · uses Airtable

   I’m on Make for Camp Forms, cheaper than Zapier and I found it easier than n8n to look at. Just a third option.

   Sep 6
6. W

   Wade C. @wade-cReal estate photographer · uses Zapier and n8n

   Following, same math on my listing photo batches.

   Sep 11