Make vs n8n
Both are built for Automation & Agents — here's how Make and n8n actually differ on pricing, platform reach and where each one is strongest.
At a glance
| Attribute |  Make |  n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $9/mo | Freemium |
| Platforms | Web, API | Web, API, Self-hosted |
| Categories | Automation & Agents | Automation & Agents, Code |
| Integrations | Not listed | Not listed |
Where each stands
Make
Pros
- The visual canvas makes complex, branching logic far easier to follow than a linear builder
- Credit-based pricing is generally cheaper than task-based pricing at moderate volume
- Deep customization via HTTP modules and a custom-app framework when the app catalogue falls short
Cons
- The canvas has a steeper learning curve than simpler linear automation tools
- Smaller integration catalogue than Zapier for less common apps
- Debugging a large scenario with many branches can get visually cluttered
n8n
Pros
- The free self-hosted Community Edition has no execution caps and includes most integrations
- Mixing visual nodes with real code covers cases pure no-code tools can't reach
- Open source, so nothing about the workflow is locked into a vendor's cloud
Cons
- Self-hosting means owning the uptime, updates and security of the instance yourself
- The node-based canvas has a steeper learning curve than Zapier's linear Zaps
- Enterprise features like SSO and advanced RBAC are pricey relative to the free tier's generosity
Which should you choose?
Make is the better fit for:
- Building a multi-branch workflow that's easier to read as a diagram than a step list
- Automating data transformations across a chain of apps with conditional logic
- Orchestrating an AI step, such as summarizing or classifying, as part of a larger workflow
- Calling an API that has no ready-made connector
- Running a scheduled job that remembers what it did on the previous run
- Handing a colleague a workflow they can read and change without your notes
n8n is the better fit for:
- Self-hosting an automation platform to keep sensitive data off a third-party cloud
- Writing a custom JavaScript step where a pre-built integration doesn't exist
- Building an AI agent workflow that also needs to touch conventional business apps
- Running high-volume workflows on your own infrastructure without per-task pricing
- Reusing one workflow as a step inside several others
- Moving an automation off a per-task SaaS bill once the volume stops making sense
Looking for more options? Browse every tool in the Automation & Agents category.
Related comparisons
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