Make vs n8n
Updated October 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
Make
A visual automation platform where workflows are drawn as connected modules on a canvas.
n8n
A fair-code workflow automation tool you can self-host, with code steps and AI agent nodes.
The short answer
Both use a visual canvas for multi-step automations. Make suits non-developers and agencies who want a hosted, no-code tool with broad app coverage. n8n suits technical teams that want to self-host, write JavaScript or Python inside workflows, and build AI agents. The biggest difference is deployment: Make is cloud-only, while n8n offers a free self-hosted Community edition alongside its cloud plans.
Make or n8n: our take
On the surface the two look alike: workflows are chains of connected steps on a canvas, with branching, loops and HTTP requests for anything without a ready-made integration. Make, formerly Integromat, leans no-code. Routers, iterators, aggregators and error handlers cover complex logic without writing code, and it connects to 3,500+ apps. n8n assumes more technical comfort. Its 2,000+ integrations are fewer, but code nodes let you drop in JavaScript or Python, and it has become a popular choice for AI agents, with nodes for LLMs, vector stores, memory and human approvals.
Hosting and data control are where they split. Make runs only in its own cloud. n8n can run on your own server with Docker using the free Community edition, which keeps data in-house and removes usage charges beyond your hosting costs. Its source is available under the Sustainable Use License, a fair-code licence that allows free internal use but restricts offering n8n as a commercial service, so it is not open source in the OSI sense. SSO and Git-based version control need paid editions.
Pricing models differ too. Make charges credits, with a free plan that has no time limit. n8n's cloud and paid self-hosted plans charge per workflow execution rather than per step, starting at €20/month (annual) for 2.5K executions and €50/month (annual) for Pro with 10K executions, which favours long workflows with many steps.
Choose Make if the people building automations are not developers and you want nothing to maintain. Choose n8n if you have engineers, want data on your own infrastructure, or are building AI agent workflows that benefit from custom code.
Which should you pick?
Choose Make if…
- Ops teams and agencies building multi-branch automations on a budget
- Visual canvas shows complex logic clearly
- Strong data handling with routers, iterators and error handlers
Choose n8n if…
- Technical teams that want self-hosted automations and AI agents without per-task fees
- You need to host it on your own servers
- You need Self-hosted, which Make doesn't list
- Free self-hosted Community edition
- Priced per execution, not per step
About each app
What is Make?
Make, formerly called Integromat, is a no-code automation platform built around a visual canvas. Each workflow, called a scenario, is a chain of modules you can see and rearrange, with routers for branching, iterators and aggregators for handling lists, and detailed error handlers. That makes it popular with operations people and automation agencies who need more complex logic than a simple trigger-action tool handles comfortably, and the run history shows exactly what data passed through each step. It connects to thousands of apps, and anything with an API can be called through an HTTP module or custom app. Recent additions include AI agents, an MCP server, Make Grid for mapping all your automations, and an AI assistant that builds scenarios from prompts. Pricing is credit-based, with a free plan that has no time limit and paid tiers that add more credits, faster scheduling and team features. It is browser-based. The power comes with a steeper learning curve than Zapier.
What is n8n?
n8n is a node-based workflow automation platform popular with technical teams. Workflows are built on a canvas from nodes for apps, logic, HTTP requests and custom JavaScript or Python, and it has become a common choice for building AI agents, with nodes for LLMs, vector stores, memory and human-in-the-loop approvals. Its biggest difference from Zapier and Make is deployment: you can self-host the free Community edition with Docker on your own server, which keeps data in-house and avoids per-task charges, or pay for n8n's cloud. The source is available under n8n's Sustainable Use License, a fair-code licence that allows free internal use but restricts offering n8n as a commercial service, so it isn't open source in the OSI sense. Cloud and paid self-hosted plans are priced by workflow executions rather than individual steps, which makes long workflows cheaper. Business and Enterprise editions add SSO, Git-based version control and environments. The interface assumes some technical comfort.
Side by side
| Attribute | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Self-hosted |
| Best for | Ops teams and agencies building multi-branch automations on a budget | Technical teams that want self-hosted automations and AI agents without per-task fees |
| Status | Active | Active |
Verified facts, compared
Facts both apps publish, checked on each vendor's own site.
| Fact | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Integrations | 3,500+ apps | 2,000+ |
Make vs n8n pricing
n8n: free plan + paid
- Cloud starting price: €20/month (annual), 2.5K executions source
- Pro price: €50/month (annual), 10K executions source
- License: Sustainable Use License (fair-code) source
Platforms
| Platform | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Web | ||
| Self-hosted |
Make facts
3 of 3 verified- Free plan
- Yes, no time limit
- Checked Oct 25, 2026make.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Try it free Talk to sales No credit card required No time limit on free plan”
- Integrations
- 3,500+ apps
- Checked Oct 25, 2026make.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Make connects to 3,500+ apps out of the box, and anything with an API can be added as a custom integration.”
- Users
- 500,000+ teams
- Checked Oct 25, 2026make.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Why 500,000+ teams build with Make”
n8n facts
5 of 5 verified- Cloud starting price
- €20/month (annual), 2.5K executions
- Checked Oct 25, 2026n8n.io(opens source in a new tab)
- “20€ /mo, billed annually 2.5K workflow executions”
- Pro price
- €50/month (annual), 10K executions
- Checked Oct 25, 2026n8n.io(opens source in a new tab)
- “50€ /mo, billed annually 10K workflow executions”
- Self-hosting
- Yes, free Community edition
- Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.n8n.io(opens source in a new tab)
- “Without a license key, n8n runs as the free Community edition.”
- Integrations
- 2,000+
- Checked Oct 25, 2026n8n.io(opens source in a new tab)
- “Best app + software integrations Browse 2,000+ integrations for apps, services, and APIs, and build them into your workflows.”
- License
- Sustainable Use License (fair-code)
- Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.n8n.io(opens source in a new tab)
- “n8n uses the Sustainable Use License and n8n Enterprise License .”
Pros and cons of Make
- Visual canvas shows complex logic clearly
- Strong data handling with routers, iterators and error handlers
- Free plan with no time limit
- Steeper learning curve than Zapier
- Credit usage can be hard to predict
- Fewer app integrations than Zapier
Pros and cons of n8n
- Free self-hosted Community edition
- Priced per execution, not per step
- Code nodes and strong AI agent tooling
- Fair-code licence restricts commercial resale
- Less friendly for non-technical users
- SSO and version control need paid editions
Other apps to consider
Make vs n8n: common questions
Is Make better than n8n?
Both use a visual canvas for multi-step automations. Make suits non-developers and agencies who want a hosted, no-code tool with broad app coverage. n8n suits technical teams that want to self-host, write JavaScript or Python inside workflows, and build AI agents. The biggest difference is deployment: Make is cloud-only, while n8n offers a free self-hosted Community edition alongside its cloud plans.
Is Make free?
Make has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.
Is n8n free?
n8n has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.
Is Make or n8n open source?
Neither is open source.
Which platforms do Make and n8n support?
Make: Web. n8n: Web and Self-hosted.