Trigger.dev vs make.com vs n8n vs Zapier (My honest review after 100 hours)

“Discover the best automation tool for your needs: Zapier, Make.com, n8n, or Trigger.dev. Read a 100-hour review of these platforms, including strengths, weaknesses, and expert recommendations for non-technical users, power users, and developers.”

🔥 The key takeaways from the article are:
🔥 Zapier is a simple but expensive option that’s best for non-technical users, with a limited learning curve but restricted workflow logic.
🔥 n8n offers open-source freedom, flexibility, and full control over data, making it suitable for power users and self-hosting fans.
🔥 Trigger.dev is built for developers, providing version control, TypeScript support, and direct code integration, making it ideal for developers who want to automate their workflows.

Trigger.dev vs make.com vs n8n vs Zapier (My honest review after 100 hours)

Automation tools promise to save time, but picking the wrong one wastes it. I’ve spent over 100 hours testing these platforms, building real workflows, and banging my head against their limitations.

I’m using A.I. and automation to produce content for 6 different websites. Every week, I get asked which tool is best. The answer isn’t simple – it depends on your technical skills, budget, and needs.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which platform fits your situation. Let’s break down the real strengths and weaknesses of each tool.

Why A.I. + automation is the ultimate productivity hack

Everybody knows A.I. can help improve your productivity. What they don’t know is that you can 2x or 100x your productivity based on how good you are. Most people just use ChatGPT and have a bunch of saved prompts they use. This is nice but it’s a 2x productivity hack.

If you have tasks that are repeatable, automation can really 10x your output. Imagine you have to run a SEO report weekly with A.I. analysis, automation no code tools can do it automatically while you sleep. I run my SEO reports at midnight every thursday, I’m literally sleeping while it works. If you master automation tools, you become a real A.I. expert.

The Learning Curve Reality

Each platform sits at a different point on the ease-of-use spectrum. Zapier is like riding a bike with training wheels – safe but limited. Make.com feels like a mountain bike – more powerful but requires skill. n8n is your custom-built road bike, while Trigger.dev is a full motorcycle – maximum power if you can handle it.

Here’s what I found:
• Zapier: 1-2 hours to build basic workflows
• Make.com: 3-4 hours to get comfortable
• n8n: 1-2 days to grasp core concepts
• Trigger.dev: 2-3 days for developers to start shipping

Zapier: Simple But Expensive

Zapier makes automation accessible to everyone. You can build basic workflows in minutes using their visual editor. Connect Gmail to Slack? Three clicks. Update Salesforce from Airtable? Five minutes tops.

But simplicity has a price:
• Limited workflow logic
• High monthly costs ($29-599/month)
• Restricted number of tasks
• Basic error handling

I built a customer onboarding flow in Zapier. It worked great for the first 50 customers. At 500 customers, the monthly bill hit $299. Th…0% less and offered better error handling.