Tasks, credits and executions: compare automation costs

Draw one actual workflow

List the trigger, filters, branches, app actions and retry behavior. Estimate runs for a normal month and a peak day. Keep unsuccessful work and deliberate replays visible in the scenario rather than assuming every run succeeds once.

Tasks and credits can grow with steps

Zapier meters billable action tasks. Make meters credits, and module activity and AI features affect consumption. A ten-step workflow run can therefore differ from one billed unit. Read the rule for the selected action, especially for bulk operations.

Executions answer a different question

n8n Cloud counts workflow executions and lists unlimited steps. The observed Starter offer includes 2,500 executions/month. This makes the number of workflow runs a useful starting point, while concurrency and plan controls still matter.

AI changes the estimate

Activepieces lists one credit for a standard flow run, with separate AI step rates and a BYOK option. Bringing a provider key moves part of the charge to that provider; it does not make inference free. Include both invoices in the estimate.

Trial failure handling

Disconnect an app, trigger a retry and inspect the history. Check who receives an alert and how a duplicate action is prevented. Compare the cost of a reliable complete process, including maintenance, rather than the cheapest nominal billing unit.

Sources

Figures in this guide come from the suppliers’ official pages, checked on 11 October 2026. Confirm the plan you buy at checkout.

Zapier: official product and plan documentation · Evidence: documentation · Oct 11, 2026

Make: official product and plan documentation · Evidence: documentation · Oct 11, 2026

n8n: official product and plan documentation · Evidence: documentation · Oct 11, 2026

Activepieces: official product and plan documentation · Evidence: documentation · Oct 11, 2026