Workflow automation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for businesses looking to scale, reduce manual errors, and boost productivity. As more teams lean on visual automation platforms to handle repetitive tasks, two standout contenders emerge: n8n and Make.com (formerly Integromat). If you’re wondering which one is better suited for your automation needs, this in-depth comparison of n8n vs Make will help you decide.
We’ll break down the key differences, strengths, and use cases for each platform, and provide practical examples to help you make an informed choice.
What Is n8n?
n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool that allows you to connect apps and services in a visual way. It’s known for its flexibility, extendability, and the ability to run self-hosted versions.
Key Features of n8n
- Open-source and self-hostable: You can run it on your own server for full control.
- Code-friendly: Offers low-code and advanced JavaScript-based logic.
- Supports 600+ integrations: Including apps like Slack, Gmail, Trello, Airtable, and custom APIs.
- Data ownership: Since you can self-host, your data never has to leave your environment.
Mini Use Case: Automating Lead Processing
Imagine your website’s form captures leads and stores them in Airtable. Using n8n, you can:
- Trigger when a new form submission is made.
- Check if the lead already exists in your Airtable database.
- If not, add it to Airtable and send a Slack alert to your sales team.
- Optionally trigger a personalized email via Gmail.
The entire workflow can run on your own server, making it ideal for data-sensitive environments.
What Is Make.com?
Make.com is a popular visual automation tool that allows you to build workflows (called scenarios) using a drag-and-drop interface. It’s entirely cloud-based and emphasizes user-friendliness, making it a go-to for non-developers.
Key Features of Make.com
- User-friendly visual interface: Build complex automations with almost no coding knowledge.
- Prebuilt templates: Easily get started with hundreds of scenario templates.
- Supports over 1,500 apps: One of the broadest integration libraries available.
- Robust error handling: Catch errors at different stages of a scenario and either retry or route accordingly.
Mini Use Case: E-commerce Order Notifications
If you run a Shopify store, with Make you can:
- Trigger when a new order is placed.
- Extract order details and filter based on product SKUs or value.
- Send automatic shipping details via Gmail.
- Update your Google Spreadsheet for bookkeeping.
All without writing a single line of code.
n8n vs Make: Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Below is a simplified comparison highlighting the core differences between n8n vs Make.
| Feature | n8n | Make.com |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Self-hosted or cloud | Fully cloud-based |
| Learning Curve | Steeper for beginners | Beginner-friendly UI |
| Integrations | 600+ (open-source community adds more) | 1,500+ integrations |
| Pricing | Free (self-hosted) to Pro plans | Free tier, scalable Pro plans |
| Flexibility | High — advanced customization possible | Moderate — depends on built-in functions |
| Open Source | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Developer Friendly | ✅ Very | ❌ Limited |
Pro Tip: If you want to automate complex processes with lots of custom logic and own your infrastructure, go with n8n. If you need speed, simplicity, and best-in-class UI, Make.com is the winner.
Ease of Use and Learning Curve
n8n: For Technical Users and Developers
n8n is powerful but assumes some technical familiarity. You’ll benefit from basic JavaScript knowledge and understanding of APIs. The node-based interface is intuitive once you get used to it, but can overwhelm beginners.
Ideal for:
- Developers and data engineers
- Teams with in-house tech talent
- Privacy and data-sensitive businesses
Make.com: For Non-Technical Users
Make’s visual experience is polished and beginner-friendly. You can click your way through most flows with minimal setup. It also offers detailed error messages, built-in tools like delay, iterator, and filters, and guided templates.
Ideal for:
- Marketers and small business owners
- Agencies
- Rapid deployment without coding
Integration Capabilities
n8n Integration Flexibility
Because it’s open-source, developers can build connectors to any API relatively easily. Plus, n8n supports webhooks, commands, and custom scripts to connect services that aren’t officially supported.
Example: You can connect a rarely-used CRM via its API by writing a custom node or function—that’s hard to do in most no-code platforms.
Make’s Massive Integration Ecosystem
Make offers more “official” integrations out of the box—over 1,500 as of 2024. This includes popular CRMs, e-commerce platforms, social media, and cloud tools. You can also use custom HTTP modules if needed, but it’s not as flexible as n8n for complex API logic.
Hosting and Data Security
n8n for Privacy and Control
n8n can be self-hosted on platforms like AWS, Docker, or your own server. That means your automation data never leaves your environment—a major plus for GDPR, HIPAA, or enterprise security compliance.
Make for Convenience
Make is fully managed, which means no hosting work on your end. However, it does involve sending data through Make’s servers—something to consider if data sovereignty is important to you.
Pricing and Scalability
n8n Pricing
- Free if self-hosted.
- Paid cloud plans start around $20/month.
- Unlimited workflows, but workflow execution limits apply on paid tiers.
If you’re comfortable setting up your infrastructure or using Docker, n8n gives you near-zero-cost automation power.
Make.com Pricing
- Free tier available with 1,000 operations/month.
- Paid plans scale up based on number of operations and team members.
Great for solopreneurs or teams that need plug-and-play scalability.
Which Should You Choose?
The final verdict on n8n vs Make depends on your needs:
Choose n8n if:
- You need full control over data and hosting.
- You work with complex or uncommon APIs.
- You have technical skills (or access to developers).
- You want an open-source, customizable solution.
Choose Make.com if:
- You prefer an easy, cloud-based, no-code experience.
- You need lots of app integrations and templates.
- You work in marketing, sales, or e-commerce.
- Your priority is speed over customizability.
Both tools are incredibly powerful—just optimized for different users.
FAQ
Can I use both Make and n8n together?
Yes! Some teams use Make for lighter, front-end automations and n8n for backend or custom API workflows. Both offer webhook integrations that can communicate with each other.
Is it hard to self-host n8n?
Not really. With Docker, you can deploy n8n in minutes. However, you’ll need to manage server resources and backups yourself.
Does Make offer data encryption?
Yes, Make uses HTTPS and standard encryption protocols for data in transit and at rest, but data does go through their servers.
Which is better for startups?
If your startup needs to move fast and iterate, Make.com is ideal. If you’re building around automation as a core part of your product, n8n may offer better flexibility in the long run.
Whether you’re a solopreneur automating lead gen or an enterprise managing complex business logic, choosing between n8n vs Make comes down to your technical comfort level, need for control, and the complexity of your workflows. Both are excellent—just for different reasons.