Comparison · Updated April 2026
n8n vs Make
An in-depth comparison of n8n and Make across pricing, features, strengths, and ideal use cases — so you can pick the right tool for your workflow.
Quick verdict
Choose n8n if you need self-hosting, full data sovereignty, powerful AI agent workflows, or code-level customisation. Choose Make if you want strong automation power without the DevOps overhead of self-hosting, in a more polished visual environment.
n8n
Open-source workflow automation with self-hosting
Free (self-hosted) · Starter $24/mo
Full review →Make
Visual workflow automation with 1,000+ integrations
Free (1,000 ops/mo) · Core $9/mo
Full review →What is n8n?
n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool that can be self-hosted for complete data control or used as a cloud service. It supports 400+ integrations and has emerged as the leading tool for building AI agent workflows — with built-in nodes for OpenAI, Claude, Ollama, and Hugging Face. Code nodes (JavaScript and Python) allow unlimited customisation beyond what visual builders support. Self-hosting is free; you pay only for the server.
What is Make?
Make is a cloud-only visual automation platform with 1,000+ integrations, a polished drag-and-drop canvas, and built-in AI modules. It is more powerful than Zapier but less complex than n8n — the middle ground between simplicity and control. Make processes data in the cloud with no self-hosting option.
n8n vs Make: Self-hosted freedom vs cloud convenience
The decisive factor between n8n and Make is usually self-hosting. n8n's self-hosted option gives you unlimited workflows at zero software cost, full GDPR/HIPAA compliance, and maximum customisation. Make is cloud-only but is significantly more polished and faster to get started with.
| Feature | n8n | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosting | ✅ Free | ❌ Cloud only |
| App integrations | 400+ | 1,000+ |
| Code nodes | ✅ JS + Python | Limited |
| AI agent workflows | ✅ Best-in-class | Good (via HTTP modules) |
| UI polish | Functional | ✅ More polished |
| Free tier | Unlimited (self-hosted) | 1,000 ops/mo |
Choose n8n if…
You need self-hosted automation with full data control, advanced AI agent capabilities, and the flexibility of writing code inside your workflows.
View n8n →Choose Make if…
You want powerful visual automation in the cloud without managing servers — more control than Zapier, without the self-hosting complexity of n8n.
View Make →Frequently asked questions
Is n8n really free?
Self-hosted n8n is free with unlimited workflows and executions — you pay only for the server (typically $5–20/mo on a VPS). The cloud version starts at $24/mo. For high-volume automations, self-hosted n8n is the most cost-effective option available.
Is n8n harder to set up than Make?
Yes. Running n8n self-hosted requires Docker or Node.js knowledge and server management. Make is a cloud SaaS — just sign up and start building. For non-technical users, Make is the better choice despite having fewer integrations.
Which is better for AI agent workflows, n8n or Make?
n8n leads for AI agent workflows. Its Agent node natively supports tool use, memory, and multi-step reasoning with OpenAI, Claude, and local models via Ollama. Make can call AI APIs via HTTP but lacks n8n's dedicated agent infrastructure.
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