How does Make compare to n8n for workflow automation?
Quick Answer: Make is best for non-technical users who want a visual cloud-based workflow builder with competitive pricing (from $9/month for 10,000 operations). n8n is best for technical teams who want to self-host (free with unlimited workflows) or need code-level flexibility with JavaScript and Python nodes. Make has more integrations (1,800+ vs 400+), while n8n offers open-source control and zero per-execution costs when self-hosted.
Make vs n8n: Complete Comparison for 2026
Make and n8n are two of the most popular workflow automation platforms, but they serve different needs. Make is a cloud-hosted visual automation builder known for its intuitive interface and competitive pricing. n8n is a self-hostable, open-source platform built for technical teams who want maximum flexibility and control.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Cloud-only | Self-hosted + Cloud |
| Open source | No | Yes (fair-code) |
| Pricing model | Operations-based | Executions-based (cloud) / Free (self-hosted) |
| Free tier | 1,000 ops/month | Unlimited (self-hosted) |
| Integrations | 1,800+ | 400+ |
| Code support | Limited (JavaScript in text parser) | Full (JavaScript and Python nodes) |
| Target user | Business users, ops teams | Developers, technical teams |
| Visual builder | Excellent (canvas-based) | Good (flow-based) |
| Error handling | Built-in error routes | Try/catch with error trigger |
| Data transformation | Strong built-in functions | Code nodes for full flexibility |
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 1,000 ops/month, 2 scenarios | Unlimited (self-hosted) |
| Starter | $9/month (10,000 ops) | $20/month (2,500 executions) |
| Mid-tier | $16/month (10,000 ops, more features) | $50/month (10,000 executions) |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Custom pricing |
Make uses operations-based pricing, where each action in a workflow counts as one operation. n8n cloud uses execution-based pricing, where each workflow run counts as one execution regardless of the number of steps. For workflows with many steps, Make can cost more per run.
When to Choose Make
- You prefer a visual, drag-and-drop interface — Make's canvas-based builder is widely regarded as the best visual workflow editor in the market
- The team is non-technical — Make is easier to learn for business users and operations teams
- Organizations need strong data transformation — Make's built-in text, math, date, and array functions handle most transformations without code
- Organizations want competitive pricing — Make's free tier (1,000 ops) and paid plans are generally cheaper than Zapier
- Organizations need complex branching — Make handles parallel execution, routers, and error routes natively
When to Choose n8n
- Organizations want to self-host — n8n is free to self-host with unlimited workflows and executions, ideal for data privacy and cost control
- The team is technical — n8n's code nodes (JavaScript and Python) give developers full programming flexibility
- Organizations need custom integrations — n8n makes it straightforward to build custom nodes or call any API via HTTP request nodes
- Organizations want open-source — n8n's source code is available on GitHub with 50,000+ stars and an active community
- You are cost-sensitive at scale — Self-hosted n8n has zero per-execution costs, making it the cheapest option for high-volume automation
Verdict
Choose Make if organizations want the best visual automation experience for non-technical users with competitive cloud pricing. Choose n8n if organizations want self-hosting capability, open-source flexibility, or need code-level control over existing workflows. Both are excellent Zapier alternatives that outperform it in specific areas.
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