Make vs n8n
Detailed comparison — pricing, features, pros & cons
Make — Make is a visual automation platform to connect apps and design workflows. It works best for Workflow designers and App connection specialists.
n8n — n8n is a fair-code, self-hosted or cloud-based workflow automation tool. It works best for Self-hosted tool users and Fair-code advocates.
This comparison covers pricing, key strengths and limitations, and what each tool does best to help you choose the right fit for your workflow.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Make | n8n |
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free / $9/mo | Free / $20/mo |
| Category | Workflow Automation | Workflow Automation |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Visual scenario builder provides detailed flow mapping with branching, routing, and error handling
- Operations-based pricing is often more cost-effective than task-based competitors
- Supports advanced data transformation directly within workflow modules
- Real-time execution logs make debugging and monitoring automation runs easier
Cons
- Learning curve is steeper than beginner-focused automation platforms
- Complex scenarios can become visually cluttered as workflows grow
- Execution limits on lower plans may affect large-scale automations
Pros
- Can be self-hosted, providing full control over data, infrastructure, and costs
- Supports custom JavaScript code nodes for highly flexible workflow logic
- Fair-code model avoids many platform restrictions common in SaaS automation tools
- AI workflow support includes integrations with LLMs, vector databases, and agent frameworks
Cons
- Self-hosting requires technical knowledge for setup and maintenance
- Smaller native integration library than Zapier
- Cloud version lacks some flexibility available in self-hosted deployments
Who Is It For?
Make is best for
- Workflow designers
- App connection specialists
- Visual automation users
- Workflow automation teams
Read full Make review → n8n is best for
- Self-hosted tool users
- Fair-code advocates
- Cloud-based automation users
- Workflow automation specialists
Read full n8n review → Which Tool Should You Choose?
- Workflow designers
- App connection specialists
- Visual automation users
- Workflow automation teams
- Self-hosted tool users
- Fair-code advocates
- Cloud-based automation users
- Workflow automation specialists
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Make better than n8n? +
Both Make and n8n are rated equally at 4.8/5. Make suits Workflow designers, while n8n is designed for Self-hosted tool users.
Which is cheaper, Make or n8n? +
Both tools offer free access. Make is freemium. Paid plans start from Free / $9/mo. n8n is freemium. Paid plans start from Free / $20/mo.
What is the main difference between Make and n8n? +
Make is a visual automation platform to connect apps and design workflows. n8n is a fair-code, self-hosted or cloud-based workflow automation tool. The key distinction is focus: Make is best suited for Workflow designers, while n8n works better for Self-hosted tool users.
Verdict
Based on our editorial ratings, Make scores higher (4.8/5 vs 4.8/5). Make is particularly well-suited for Workflow designers. That said, n8n remains a strong choice if self-hosted tool users is your priority.