Ni and Co containing HZSM5 zeolites were compared in the hydroconversion of n-heptane at 460-710 K and a pressure of up to 2 bar. Hydrocracking and hydrogenolysis were observed to be competing reaction pathways over CoHZSM5 and NiHZSM5. n-Heptane reacted directly to methane and small amounts of ethane over CoHZSM5, i.e., hydrogenolysis prevailed, over NiHZSM5 the main reaction products were propane and i-butane i.e., hydrocracking was dominant. With increasing hydrogen partial pressure hydrogenolysis decreased while hydrocracking increased over both metal containing ZSM5 zeolites.