n8n vs Make: A complete comparison guide

Automation platforms are essential if you’re looking to reduce manual work, improve efficiency, and streamline your operations. These tools enable you to connect various apps and services, creating automated workflows that save you time and eliminate repetitive tasks.

Among the many automation tools available, n8n and Make stand out as two popular options. Both platforms offer visual workflow builders and extensive integrations, but they cater to different user needs in terms of pricing, usability, and customization.

This comparison is designed for developers, small-to-medium business owners, and other technical decision-makers. Whether you need a low-code tool to integrate apps quickly or a more flexible self-hosted solution, this guide will help you understand the strengths and limitations of both Make and n8n so you can choose the right platform for your business needs.

Understanding Make and n8n

Automation platforms help businesses automate tasks, but Make and n8n take different approaches to serving this need. Understanding their origins, core differences, and target audiences will help you determine which one better fits your business.

Make was founded in 2016 as Integromat and quickly gained popularity as a no-code automation platform that allowed users to create complex workflows with a visual interface. In 2022, the platform rebranded as Make, enhancing its design and functionality while maintaining its reputation for ease of use.

Launched in 2019, n8n is a workflow automation tool designed for users who need more customization and control over their workflows. Unlike most cloud-based automation platforms, n8n allows self-hosting, giving companies complete ownership over their data and workflows.

Core differences

The biggest differences between Make and n8n lie in their approaches to automation, outlined below:

• Make is a cloud-based SaaS platform with a user-friendly, drag-and-drop interface. It’s ideal if your business needs quick, no-code integrations without hosting infrastructure setup.
• n8n can be self-hosted or cloud-based. It offers more flexibility and allows for more advanced customization. While it also provides a visual workflow builder, you will need some technical knowledge to use it, especially if you’re self-hosting.
• Make is primarily a no-code experience with pre-built functions and modules. n8n allows you to write custom JavaScript code within workflows, making it more developer-friendly.
• Pricing models vary significantly. Make operates on a tiered subscription model with usage-based limits, whereas n8n offers its self-hosted version for free alongside a paid cloud option with more features.

Target audiences

Each platform serves a different type of user:

• Make is best for small businesses, marketing teams, and non-technical users who need an easy-to-use automation tool without coding.
• n8n is better suited to developers, tech-savvy users, and businesses that require self-hosting for security or compliance reasons. It’s ideal for those who need deeper customization.

If you’re new to workflow automation, it’s helpful to understand the fundamentals before choosing a platform.

User interface and workflow building

Exploring the user interface (UI) and workflow design experience is crucial when you’re choosing an automation platform. While both Make and n8n offer visual workflow builders, they cater to different skill levels.

Interface

Make features a modern and intuitive UI that represents workflows as connected bubbles (modules). Each module represents an app or function, and you can easily drag and drop connections between them. The interface makes it easy to see how data flows between steps, even if you’re a non-technical user.

n8n provides a flowchart-style interface similar to Make’s, but with a more technical feel. Nodes (workflow steps) are connected by lines, visually representing data movement. While still graphical, n8n’s UI has more options and flexibility, which may be overwhelming for a beginner.

Learning curve

When it comes to ease of learning, Make has the advantage. It is designed for non-technical users, making it easier to build workflows without prior automation experience. You can search for pre-built integrations, apply filters, and configure settings without needing to understand coding or API structures.

In contrast, n8n requires a steeper learning curve, especially if you plan to self-host or create custom integrations. While pre-made templates or basic workflows are easy to set up, you may need to understand JavaScript for more complex functions. But if you’re already familiar with automation concepts, the additional flexibility of n8n can be a major benefit.

Workflow designer

Both platforms offer powerful workflow-building tools, but they differ in their approaches to design:

• Make’s drag-and-drop workflow designer allows you to snap modules together seamlessly without writing code. It includes built-in tools for conditions, error handling, and scheduling. Users can test workflows step by step, making debugging easier.
• n8n’s workflow designer offers a more developer-centric approach, allowing you to modify input and output data, write custom functions, and integrate with APIs more flexibly. Its visual builder delivers a low-code – as opposed to no-code – experience.

Intuitiveness

• Make is highly intuitive to use, especially for beginners and business users. The workflow builder is designed to be user-friendly and visually guided, minimizing the need for technical knowledge.
• n8n may be intuitive if you’re a tech-savvy user, but it is definitely more complex. The additional customization options mean users may need to reference documentation or experiment with settings more frequently.

Skill level

• Make requires little to no technical expertise – you only need to configure predefined modules and connections.
• Basic scripting or API knowledge will benefit you when using n8n, especially on self-hosted setups or very complex workflows.

Core features comparison

Make and n8n both offer workflow automation, integrations, and error handling, but they differ in depth, ease of use, and flexibility.

Automation capabilities

Make and n8n enable you to automate workflows by connecting different applications, but they take different approaches to automation logic and execution.

• Make allows you to create workflows using prebuilt modules that define actions and triggers. It supports multi-step workflows, including conditional logic, data parsing, and complex branching. You can also set execution schedules, making it ideal for automating recurring tasks.
• n8n provides a more flexible and developer-friendly automation system. It also features a visual workflow builder, but it allows you to add custom JavaScript functions, manipulate API requests, and even interact with databases. If you need advanced control over your automation logic, n8n will give you greater flexibility than Make.
• One advantage of n8n is its ability to process multiple branches simultaneously. In Make, execution typically follows a sequential path unless explicitly configured for parallel processing.
• Unlike Make, n8n allows self-hosting, giving your business complete control over its data and infrastructure. This is a significant advantage if your organization has strict compliance or security requirements.

Integration options

The power of an automation tool lies in its ability to connect with a wide range of apps and services.

• Make provides over 1,500 pre-built integrations for popular apps like Google Workspace, Slack, Shopify, WordPress, and CRMs. These integrations work out of the box, making it easy for you to connect your favorite tools.
• n8n offers over 400 integrations but compensates for this smaller number with greater flexibility. You can create custom API calls or write JavaScript functions to interact with virtually any application, making it a better fit if you have custom software or proprietary systems.
• Both platforms support webhooks, but n8n provides deeper API integration options, allowing you to manipulate API responses directly within workflows. This makes it an excellent choice if you need precise control over data exchanges.

Error handling

Robust error handling is essential for ensuring reliable automation. Both platforms handle failures gracefully, but with different approaches.

Make features built-in error-handling options, including:

• Auto-retry mechanisms for failed executions
• Error handlers to define fallback actions when a step fails
• Visual debugging tools that highlight where issues occur in a workflow

n8n offers greater flexibility in error management, allowing you to:

• Use Try-Catch nodes to handle exceptions
• Log errors for custom debugging
• Create custom recovery mechanisms, such as sending alerts or re-running failed jobs automatically

While Make provides a more user-friendly error-handling experience, n8n allows you to create highly customizable error-recovery strategies.

Both platforms are powerful in this regard, but the right choice depends on how much flexibility and technical control you need.

Pricing and Plans

Both Make and n8n offer free and paid plans, but they differ in pricing structure, scalability, and enterprise offerings.

Free tier

Both platforms offer free plans, each with different limitations:

Make free plan:

• 1,000 operations per month, an operation being any step in an automation
• Limited access to premium apps
• Single-user only
• Workflows run every 5 minutes at most

n8n free plan (self-hosted):

• Unlimited workflows and executions, since it runs on your own infrastructure
• No restrictions on app integrations
• Requires hosting

While Make’s free tier is somewhat easier to get started with (since it’s cloud-based), n8n’s free self-hosted option is better if you’re willing to manage your own infrastructure, as it imposes no usage limits. If you want to get set up quickly, Hostinger offers a 1-click n8n installation template with its VPS plans, which start at RM23.99/month.

Paid plans

Make uses a tiered pricing model based on operation limits, while n8n’s pricing is based on features and hosting preferences.

Make paid plans (starting at ~$9/month):

• Higher operation limits, starting at 10,000 operations per month
• Faster execution times, down to 1-minute intervals
• Advanced integrations and priority support
• Team collaboration features in higher tiers

n8n cloud (starting at ~$20/month):

• Fully managed hosting
• Usage-based execution limits
• Advanced security and dedicated resources
• Custom domain and team collaboration tools in higher tiers

Make’s lower-tier paid plans are generally more affordable for small businesses, while n8n’s least expensive cloud-based option provides greater flexibility at a higher price.

Enterprise options

For large companies, both platforms offer enterprise solutions with:

Make enterprise:

• Custom operation limits
• Single Sign-On (SSO) and security compliance
• Dedicated support and training

n8n enterprise (self-hosted or cloud):

• Full API access and unlimited workflows
• On-premise or private cloud hosting
• Advanced security features and priority support

Security and deployment options

Security and deployment flexibility are key considerations when choosing an automation platform, especially for businesses handling sensitive data. Make and n8n differ significantly in their approaches to security, hosting, and compliance.

Security features

Both platforms provide essential security measures, but n8n offers greater control due to its self-hosting capabilities.

Make:

• End-to-end encryption for data in transit
• Role-based access control (RBAC) for team collaboration
• Secure API keys and OAuth authentication for integrations
• Regular security updates and threat monitoring

n8n:

• Self-hosting allows full control over security configurations
• Supports custom authentication methods such as API tokens and SSO
• Data remains on-premise, reducing third-party exposure
• Community and enterprise security updates for self-hosted deployments

A major advantage of n8n is its ability to run on your own server, private cloud, or on-premise infrastructure, giving businesses complete data control. This is especially useful for industries with strict compliance requirements.

By contrast, Make is fully cloud-based, meaning all workflows run on its servers. While convenient, this limits customization and data control.

Compliance standards

For businesses with regulatory requirements, both platforms offer compliance features:

Make:

• GDPR and SOC 2 compliance
• Data hosted in secure cloud environments

n8n:

• Can be deployed in HIPAA, GDPR, or ISO-compliant environments
• Self-hosting ensures compliance with specific industry regulations

Use cases and implementation

Both Make and n8n offer powerful automation capabilities, but their effectiveness depends on specific business needs and implementation challenges. Below, we explore common use cases, real-world success stories, and potential hurdles businesses may face when adopting these platforms.

Common scenarios

E-commerce automation:

• Make: Syncs Shopify and WooCommerce orders with email marketing tools, CRM, and inventory management systems.
• n8n: Custom API integrations for marketplaces, real-time order tracking, and personalized customer workflows.

Marketing automation:

• Make: Connects Facebook Ads, Google Sheets, and email platforms to automate lead generation and follow-ups.
• n8n: Advanced campaign triggers, dynamic audience segmentation, and data enrichment with external APIs.

Customer support and ticketing:

• Make: Integrates helpdesk platforms (Zendesk, Freshdesk) with Slack or CRM tools for seamless ticket management.
• n8n: Custom workflow automation for AI-driven ticket routing and support analytics.

Data synchronization:

• Make: No-code connectors for syncing databases and cloud storage services.
• n8n: Real-time data transformation and complex API interactions for enterprise data flows.

Success stories

Make:

• Scentia, a company specializing in educational services, faced challenges in managing its client onboarding process. In collaboration with automation agency Makeitfuture, Make was deployed to automate repetitive tasks, resulting in a time savings of approximately 10 hours per week.
• A construction company sought to improve its proposal submission and approval processes. Make streamlined the entire process of proposal creation to approval, leading to a 90% increase in overall workflow efficiency and an 80% reduction in human error incidents.

n8n:

• Bordr is a company that assists individuals relocating to Portugal. It used n8n to automate operational workflows, which became pivotal in scaling this side project into a six-figure business within months.
• As a leading language operations platform, Unbabel used n8n to develop an advanced peak management system. This system allowed for the rapid engagement of additional editors to validate automated translations, effectively reducing workload during peak periods.

Implementation challenges

Technical expertise:

Make: Designed for users with minimal technical background, offering a user-friendly interface. However, it may lack the depth required for complex customizations.

n8n: Provides extensive customization capabilities but necessitates a higher level of technical proficiency, especially for setting up self-hosted environments and creating intricate workflows.

Hosting and maintenance:

Make: Operates on a cloud-based model, eliminating the need for users to manage infrastructure but offering less control over data hosting.

n8n: Offers self-hosting options, granting full control over data and security configurations. This approach requires users to handle server maintenance and updates.

Scalability and cost:

Make: Features a tiered pricing structure based on usage, which can become costly as automation needs grow.

n8n: While the self-hosted version can be more cost-effective for extensive automation, it demands investment in infrastructure and technical resources.

Conclusion

Choosing between Make and n8n depends on your specific business needs, technical expertise, and automation goals. Both platforms offer powerful workflow automation, but they cater to different user groups.

Choose Make if:

• You need a no-code, user-friendly automation tool with a visual workflow builder.
• You want quick and easy integration with a wide range of apps.
• You prefer a fully managed cloud solution without the need for self-hosting or maintenance.
• Your team includes non-technical users who require an intuitive interface.

Choose n8n if:

• You need self-hosting capabilities for data privacy, compliance, or security reasons.
• You want greater flexibility with advanced workflow customization, API integrations, and JavaScript support.
• You have technical expertise or a development team that can handle deployment and maintenance.
• You require scalability without restrictive usage limits, especially for high-volume automation.

Key factors you should consider:

• Ease of use – Make is beginner-friendly, while n8n requires some technical knowledge.
• Hosting & data control – Make is cloud-based, while n8n allows self-hosting.
• Customization & flexibility – n8n offers more advanced customization and scripting options.
• Pricing & scalability – Make has usage-based pricing, while n8n’s self-hosted version removes execution limits.
• Security & compliance – n8n is better suited for organizations needing on-premise data control.

Ultimately, the right choice depends on your automation needs, budget, and technical capabilities. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, cloud-based automation tool with extensive integrations, Make is the best choice. If you need greater flexibility, self-hosting, and advanced customization, n8n is the better option.

N8n vs Make FAQ