The Verdict
Our pick: Make. Make wins on pricing, out-of-the-box features, and ease of use, making it the better choice for most individuals and businesses. Its visual interface is more intuitive and its entry-level plans offer significantly more value for the cost.
However, n8n is the clear winner for technical teams who need maximum control and customizability. Its developer-first approach, open-source nature, and powerful self-hosting option provide unparalleled flexibility and reliability for those with the resources to manage it.
Pricing Comparison
Make More Affordable
Core plan, billed annually
Make uses a credit-based model where every action or step in a workflow costs one credit (called an operation). [8] This makes it extremely cost-effective for workflows with few steps, even if they run frequently.
n8n
Starter plan, billed annually
n8n Cloud charges per "execution," meaning a workflow run costs the same whether it has 2 steps or 200. [3] This can be more predictable for complex workflows but comes at a higher entry price. [17]
| Plan Tier | Make Price (Annual) | n8n Cloud Price (Annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo (1,000 operations) [1] | $0 (Community Edition, requires self-hosting) [3] |
| Core / Starter | $9/mo (10,000 operations) [1] | $20/mo (2,500 executions) [4] |
| Pro | $16/mo (10,000+ operations) [1] | $50/mo (10,000 executions) [3] |
| Teams / Business | $29/mo (10,000+ operations) [1] | $800/mo (40,000 executions, self-hosted) [4] |
| Enterprise | Custom Pricing [2] | Custom Pricing [9] |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| App Integrations | 3,000+ [32, 35] | 400+ official, 1,500+ total nodes [10, 21] |
| Visual Builder | Flowchart-style drag-and-drop [16] | Node-based canvas [15] |
| Custom Logic | Routers, filters, error handlers [14] | JavaScript code nodes, advanced branching [14] |
| AI Capabilities | Integrations with AI apps, AI agents in beta [1, 17] | Strong native support for AI, LangChain, self-hosted LLMs [17] |
| Templates | 7,900+ community templates [15] | Workflow library available |
| Custom Integrations | HTTP/API modules [14] | HTTP requests, custom node creation [10] |
Make's primary advantage is its vast library of over 3,000 pre-built app integrations, which dwarfs n8n's catalog of over 400 official integrations. [32, 21] This means for the average business user, it's far more likely that Make will connect to all their required tools without any custom setup. While n8n's total "node" count is higher when including community contributions, many of these require manual configuration and API knowledge to use effectively. [10]
Where n8n excels is in its depth for technical users. The platform is built for developers, offering superior control with features like custom JavaScript nodes, native support for advanced AI models, and the ability to build and share custom nodes. [14, 17] However, for out-of-the-box functionality across the widest range of SaaS applications, Make has a decisive lead.
Ease of Use
Make Easier to Use
- Intuitive, flowchart-style interface that's easy to grasp. [16]
- Designed for non-technical users to build workflows quickly. [23]
- Visual debugging shows real-time data flow. [14]
- Steeper learning curve than some tools, but manageable for business users. [37]
n8n
- Node-based canvas that is powerful but can look dense to newcomers. [16]
- Assumes technical fluency; users encounter expressions and API concepts early. [17]
- Some integrations require complex, multi-step manual setup. [15]
- Steeper learning curve, best suited for developers or technical teams. [23]
Both platforms use a visual builder, but they are designed for different audiences. Make's interface is a clean, flowchart-style canvas that is immediately more approachable for visual thinkers and non-developers. [12, 16] While powerful, its core functions are designed to be configured through a user-friendly interface rather than code.
n8n, by contrast, is developer-oriented. Its node-based system provides more granular control but requires a better understanding of technical concepts like APIs and data structures from the start. [17] For teams without dedicated technical resources, Make provides a much faster path from idea to a functioning automation. [23]
Reliability & Ecosystem
| Category | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Options | Cloud-hosted and fully managed [17] | Fully managed cloud or self-hosted [7] |
| Security Certifications | SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, SSO [20] | SOC 2 (on cloud plan), SSO, SAML, LDAP [17, 33] |
| Support | Standard support, Enterprise support available [28] | Community forum, dedicated support with SLA on Enterprise plan [18] |
| Scalability | Managed by the platform [17] | Managed (Cloud) or limitless via user's own infrastructure (Self-hosted) [16] |
| Ecosystem | Large user base, extensive template library [15] | Strong open-source community, highly extensible [14] |
Reliability & Support: n8n wins. While both platforms offer enterprise-grade security features like SOC 2 compliance and SSO, n8n takes the lead with two key advantages. [20, 33] First, its Enterprise plan offers dedicated support with a guaranteed Service Level Agreement (SLA), a critical feature for mission-critical workflows. [18] Second, the self-hosting option gives organizations complete control over their data, uptime, and security environment, allowing them to operate behind their own firewall—the highest level of reliability for companies with strict compliance needs. [7, 17]
Ecosystem & Scalability: Tie. This category is a draw because each platform excels in a different way. Make offers effortless scalability; as your usage grows, their cloud infrastructure handles it for you. [17] Its ecosystem is geared towards business users, with a massive library of over 7,900 templates to get started quickly. [15] n8n offers ultimate scalability and control through its self-hosted version, where performance is only limited by the hardware you provide. [21] Its ecosystem is its vibrant open-source community, which constantly contributes new nodes and provides support for highly technical challenges.
Who Should Pick What
Choose Make if...
- You prioritize ease of use and a fast setup.
- Your team is non-technical (e.g., marketing, operations, small business owners). [8]
- You need to connect to a wide variety of SaaS apps out of the box.
- Budget is a primary concern, and you need an affordable entry point. [8]
Choose n8n if...
- You are a developer or have access to a technical team. [14]
- You need to self-host your automation platform for security or data control. [16]
- Your workflows require custom code (JavaScript) or advanced AI logic. [17]
- You need ultimate control and are willing to manage the infrastructure. [7]
Also consider: Zapier. If you need the absolute widest range of app integrations (over 8,000) and an even simpler user interface for basic trigger-action workflows, Zapier is a strong, albeit often more expensive, alternative. [15, 17]
Our recommendation: start with Make
Make's combination of affordability, a massive integration library, and a user-friendly visual builder makes it the best choice for the majority of users.
Both platforms offer free tiers to test their capabilities.