make.com vs n8n: Which Tool is Better for Workflow Automation?

Workflow automation tools like make.com and n8n help businesses streamline processes, reduce manual work, and boost efficiency. But which one is right for you?

In this detailed comparison, we’ll break down make.com vs n8n across:

• Pricing models (free vs. paid, cloud vs. self-hosted)

• Ease of use (no-code vs. low-code)

• Integration capabilities (pre-built apps vs. custom nodes)

• Workflow complexity handling (simple automations vs. developer-friendly customization)

• Scalability (small business vs. enterprise solutions)

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which tool aligns with your technical expertise, budget, and automation goals. Whether you’re a small business owner, developer, or automation enthusiast, this make.com vs n8n guide will help you choose the best workflow automation tool for your needs.

make.com vs n8n Features

Key Features of make.com

• Visual Scenario Builder: Easily design workflows

• Pre-built Templates: Quick automation setups

• Multi-step Automations: Complex workflows without coding

• Real-time Data Sync: Instant updates across apps

Key Features of n8n

• Self-Hosted Option: Full data control

• Custom Nodes: Developers can build integrations

• Error Debugging: Advanced logging for troubleshooting

• Flexible Triggers: Supports webhooks, cron jobs, and more

make.com vs n8n Pros and Cons

make.com Pros

• User-friendly, drag-and-drop interface

• 1,000+ app integrations

• Reliable cloud hosting

• Great for non-technical users

make.com Cons

• Limited customization for developers

• Operations-based pricing can get expensive

n8n Pros

• Free & open-source (self-hosted)

• Highly customizable for developers

• Strong community support

n8n Cons

• Steeper learning curve

• Requires self-hosting (unless paid cloud)

make.com vs n8n Differences

Before diving into specifics, let’s clarify the core differences between these two automation platforms.

make.com (Best for No-Code Users)

Type: Cloud-based automation tool

Best for: Non-technical users, marketers, small businesses

Key Strengths:

• Drag-and-drop visual builder

• 1,000+ pre-built app integrations

• Instant cloud hosting (no setup required)

• Beginner-friendly with templates

n8n (Best for Developers & Self-Hosting)

Type: Self-hosted, open-source automation

Best for: Developers, IT teams, privacy-focused businesses

Key Strengths:

• Free to use (if self-hosted)

• Highly customizable with code

• Full control over data (on-premise hosting)

• Strong community and extensibility

Which one wins? It depends on your needs. Let’s break it down further.

make.com vs n8n Comparison

Here’s a high-level overview of how these two tools stack up:

make.com vs n8n Features Comparison

Next, let’s compare each of their features in details.

1. make.com vs n8n Pricing Comparison

make.com Pricing (Subscription-based affordable cloud plans)

make.com follows a usage-based pricing model, charging per “operation” (each step in an automation).

make.com offers a free plan with limited operations, plus paid tiers:

• Basic ($9/month) – 1,000 operations

• Standard ($16/month) – 10,000 operations

• Pro ($29/month) – 50,000 operations

• Enterprise (Custom) – High-volume needs

Pros

• Predictable monthly costs

• Free plan available

• Scalable for growing businesses

Cons

• Can get expensive with high-volume workflows

• No self-hosting option

n8n Pricing (Free Open-Source vs. Paid Cloud)

n8n is free if self-hosted, but offers a paid cloud version for convenience.

n8n is open-source and free if self-hosted. Paid cloud options include:

• Starter ($20/month) – 10,000 executions

• Professional ($50/month) – 50,000 executions

• Enterprise (Custom) – Advanced features

Pros

• Free forever if you self-host

• No per-operation limits

• Ideal for privacy-conscious users

Cons

• Requires technical knowledge to set up

• Cloud version can be pricey

Verdict

• Budget-conscious & non-technical users? make.com (affordable cloud plans)

• Developers who want full control? n8n (free self-hosted)

If you want a free self-hosted option, n8n wins. For a ready-to-use cloud solution, make.com is more affordable for beginners.

2. Ease of Use (No-Code vs. Low-Code)

make.com: Best for Beginners

• No coding required: Drag-and-drop interface

• Pre-built templates: Quickly set up automations

• Intuitive UI: Easy to learn for non-developers

Best for: Marketers, solopreneurs, small businesses

n8n: Developer-Friendly Flexibility

• Low-code approach: Some JavaScript/JSON knowledge helps

• Node-based workflow editor: More granular control

• Debugging tools: Advanced error logs

Best for: Developers, IT teams, tech-savvy users

Verdict

• Make.com wins for simplicity

• n8n wins for customization

3. make.com vs n8n Integration Capabilities (Which Has More Apps?)

make.com Pros

• Wider range of pre-built connectors

• Easier to set up common workflows

n8n Pros

• Can connect to any API with custom nodes

• Better for niche or proprietary tools

4. make.com vs n8n Workflow Automation Comparison

make.com Workflows

• Multi-step automations (e.g., “When a new Shopify order comes in – Add to Airtable – Send Slack notification”)

• Error handling: Automatic retries

• Real-time sync: Instant updates

• Best for marketing, sales, and business automation

• Seamlessly connects CRM, email, social media, and databases

• Great for Zapier-like automations without coding

n8n Workflows

• Custom scripting (JavaScript functions)

• Webhook support: Real-time triggers

• Cron jobs: Scheduled automations

• Ideal for developers and IT teams

• Better for custom API integrations

• Supports on-premise automation for security-conscious users

make.com vs n8n: Final Verdict

For most users, make.com offers the best balance of simplicity and power. Its intuitive interface and vast app library make it the superior choice for workflow automation.

Pick make.com if you:

• Want a no-code, cloud-based solution

• Need quick setup with templates

• Use popular apps (Slack, Google Sheets, etc.)

Pick n8n if you:

• Prefer self-hosting & data control

• Are a developer or tech-savvy user

• Need custom API integrations

Conclusion

For most users, make.com is the better choice because it is easier to use, faster setup, and great for common business automations. For developers needing full control, n8n is unbeatable especially since it’s free if self-hosted.

• Choose make.com if: You want an easy, no-code automation tool with a wide range of integrations and cloud hosting. (Perfect for marketers, startups, and small businesses.)

• Choose n8n if: You need a free, self-hosted solution with deep customization for developers.

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