Make vs n8n: Head-to-Head Comparison

Quick Verdict

Make is the better pick for complex visual scenarios at lower cost. n8n is the better pick for technical teams wanting self-hosted automation.

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At a Glance

Feature	Make	n8n
Best For	Complex visual scenarios at lower cost	Technical teams wanting self-hosted automation
Pricing	Free tier with paid plans	Free self-hosted community edition; paid cloud
Free to Start	Yes	Yes
License	Proprietary	Source-available
Deployment	Managed cloud	Self-hosted or managed cloud
Link	Visit Make	Visit n8n

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Detailed Breakdown

Make

Visual automation platform (formerly Integromat)

Pros:

• Visual scenario builder
• Powerful data mapping
• Lower cost per operation

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve
• Fewer integrations than Zapier

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n8n

Workflow automation with code when you need it

Pros:

• Self-hostable
• JavaScript and Python code nodes
• AI agent workflows

Cons:

• Fair-code license limits some commercial uses
• More technical than Zapier

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Key Differences

• Positioning: Make — Visual automation platform (formerly Integromat). n8n — workflow automation with code when you need it.
• Licensing differs: Make is proprietary while n8n is source-available.
• Deployment: Make — managed cloud. n8n — self-hosted or managed cloud.
• Pricing: Make — free tier with paid plans. n8n — free self-hosted community edition; paid cloud.
• Signature strength: Make — Visual scenario builder. n8n — self-hostable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Make better than n8n?

It depends on your requirements. Make is a strong fit for complex visual scenarios at lower cost, while n8n suits technical teams wanting self-hosted automation.

Is Make free to use?

Yes, you can start with Make for free. Pricing model: Free tier with paid plans.

Is n8n free to use?

Yes, you can start with n8n for free. Pricing model: Free self-hosted community edition; paid cloud.

Can I self-host Make or n8n?

Make is offered as a managed service: managed cloud. n8n can be self-hosted. Deployment options: self-hosted or managed cloud.

What are the main drawbacks of Make and n8n?

Make: steeper learning curve; fewer integrations than Zapier. n8n: fair-code license limits some commercial uses; more technical than Zapier.