n8n vs Make.com
Both promise to automate your workflows without code. One lets you own your data. The other just works.
n8n
If you're technical enough to self-host (or use their cloud), n8n gives you more power, more flexibility, and you actually own your workflows. Make is prettier and easier for non-devs, but n8n is the dev's choice.
The Zapier Alternatives
Zapier got too expensive, so everyone's looking for alternatives. n8n and Make.com are the two that keep coming up. They're both good, but they're built for different people.
n8n is open source, self-hostable, and built for developers who want control. Make.com (formerly Integromat) is polished, visual, and built for teams that want things to just work.
Quick Comparison
| Factor | n8n | Make.com |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosting | Yes (free) | No |
| Open Source | Yes (fair-code) | No |
| Visual Builder | Good | Excellent |
| Code Nodes | JavaScript, Python | JavaScript only |
| Integrations | 400+ | 1500+ |
| Free Tier | Unlimited (self-host) | 1,000 ops/month |
| Cloud Pricing | From $20/mo | From $9/mo |
| AI Features | AI nodes built-in | AI integrations |
Why n8n Wins for Devs
The self-hosting option is huge. Run n8n on a $5/month VPS and process unlimited operations. No per-operation pricing. Your workflows, your data, your rules.
The code nodes are also way more powerful. Write JavaScript or Python directly in your workflow. Access npm packages. Do actual programming when the visual builder isn't enough.
"n8n's fair-code license means you can self-host for free, but need a license for commercial redistribution. For most users, it's effectively open source."
Why Make.com Wins for Teams
Make's visual builder is genuinely nicer. The UI is cleaner, the learning curve is gentler, and non-technical team members can actually use it.
- More integrations: 1500+ vs n8n's 400+. More pre-built connectors means less custom work.
- Better templates: Make's template library is more polished and production-ready.
- Team features: Better collaboration, approval workflows, audit logs.
- No DevOps: You don't have to manage servers, updates, or backups.
The Pricing Reality
Make looks cheaper on paper ($9/mo), but operations add up fast. Every step in a workflow is an operation. A 5-step workflow running 1000 times uses 5000 operations.
n8n cloud is $20/mo, but you get 2500 executions (not operations). Self-hosted n8n is free forever, just pay for your server.
For high-volume workflows, n8n self-hosted wins on cost every time.
The AI Angle
n8n has native AI nodes for OpenAI, Anthropic, and local models. You can build AI agents, RAG pipelines, and chat workflows directly in n8n.
Make has AI integrations too, but they're more basic. If you're doing serious AI automation, n8n gives you more flexibility.
The Verdict
Use n8n if: You're a developer, want self-hosting, need custom code in workflows, or care about vendor lock-in. It's the power user's choice.
Use Make.com if: Your team is non-technical, you want the easiest onboarding, or you need integrations n8n doesn't have. It's the "just works" choice.
Skip both if: You just need simple automations. Zapier is more expensive but has the best UX for basic use cases.
n8n is what automation should be: open source, self-hostable, and infinitely customizable. It's more work to set up, but you get real ownership.