Make vs n8n
Make and n8n are both visual automation platforms favored by power users, but they take fundamentally different approaches to hosting, pricing, and extensibility. Make is a fully managed cloud service. n8n is open-source and can be self-hosted or used as a cloud service. This comparison helps you decide which fits your team's technical capacity and requirements.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Cloud-only, managed by Make | Self-hosted (free) or n8n Cloud (paid) |
| Source code | Proprietary, closed-source | Open-source under the Sustainable Use License |
| Custom code | Limited to built-in functions and basic JavaScript in modules | Full JavaScript and Python code nodes with npm package support |
| App integrations | 1,500+ built-in integrations | 400+ built-in nodes, plus community-contributed nodes |
| Pricing | Operations-based, starting at EUR 9/mo for 10,000 ops | Free when self-hosted. Cloud starts at EUR 20/mo for 2,500 executions |
| UI polish | Highly polished visual canvas with clear data flow indicators | Functional node editor, improving steadily but less polished |
| AI and LLM support | OpenAI, Anthropic, and other AI modules available | AI Agent node, LangChain integration, vector store nodes, and custom AI chains |
| Data privacy | Data processed on Make's cloud infrastructure (EU-based) | Self-hosted option keeps all data on your own infrastructure |
When to choose Make
Make is the right choice when you want a fully managed platform with no infrastructure to maintain. Its polished interface makes building and debugging workflows fast, and the 1,500+ integrations mean most business apps are supported out of the box. Teams that lack DevOps capacity or prefer not to manage servers will find Make's cloud-only model simpler. It is also a better starting point for non-technical users who want visual automation without writing code.
When to choose n8n
n8n is the better option when you need self-hosting for data privacy, full code access for complex logic, or want to avoid per-operation costs entirely. Its JavaScript and Python code nodes let you write arbitrary logic, import npm packages, and build custom integrations without waiting for official support. For teams building AI workflows, n8n's LangChain integration and AI Agent node provide deeper control than Make's AI modules. The self-hosted version is free with no execution limits, which makes it cost-effective at any scale.
Verdict
Make wins on ease of use, polish, and breadth of integrations. n8n wins on flexibility, cost at scale, and data sovereignty. If your team can manage a Docker container or VM, n8n offers more power for less money. If you want zero infrastructure overhead and a smoother visual experience, Make is the pragmatic choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which platform has better AI integrations?
Can I switch from Make to n8n or vice versa?
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Last updated: March 2026