n8n vs Make

n8n and Make are two of the most popular AI automation tools on the market today, with both boasting visual drag-and-drop editors, user-friendly interfaces, large libraries of app integrations, and robust automation features.

However, there are significant differences in these two services, mainly in user friendliness and functionality. One platform is clearly made for power users, while the other is best suited for casual users.

I partnered with the Cybernews experts to review and compare both platforms. Below, you’ll find all the information you need to help you decide which workflow automation tool best suits your productivity needs. I analyzed key areas such as features, user interface, pricing, and customer support. Keep reading to learn which one is the ideal workflow tool for you.

Overview of n8n vs Make

Below, you’ll find an overview of the differences between n8n and Make. Both platforms are great options for workflow automation, but they differ in several key aspects.

Feature	n8n	Make
Rating	4.8/5	4.6/5
Price	Starts at €24/month (about $25.82/month)	Starts at $10.59/month
Integrations	400+	2,000+
Free version	✅ Yes, for non-business use	❌ No
Number of executions	2,500 executions (with unlimited steps)	10,000 steps
Workflow templates	1,500+	7,000+

n8n vs Make similarities

Both n8n and Make share key features that make them both excellent choices for automating workflows. According to my research, here are the main similarities between the two providers:

• Visual workflow building. Both platforms feature a drag-and-drop visual editor for building automations. Each one has an intuitive design that makes workflow creation and management accessible for users of all skill levels.
• App integrations. n8n and Make both integrate with the most popular productivity apps available, including tools like Slack, Google Drive, and Klaviyo. Integrations allow users to execute workflows without the need to switch between platforms.
• Workflow automation. You can use both n8n and Make to automate tasks by setting up triggers and actions. Task automation cuts down on time and labor by outsourcing menial or day-to-day activities to a powerful automation tool.
• Scheduling capabilities. Teams will enjoy the scheduling features offered by both n8n and Make. You can use either tool to schedule meetings and send reminders, updates, and reports.

n8n vs Make differences

The most notable difference between n8n and Make is that n8n has more features geared toward advanced users. Here’s a rundown:

• Deployment options. n8n offers both self-hosted and cloud-hosted options, giving users control over their data and setup. This self-hosted option is free but complicated to set up, making it ideal for tech-savvy individuals or teams that can afford an IT specialist. Meanwhile, Make is strictly cloud-based and fully managed with no self-hosting available.
• Pricing model. n8n charges per workflow execution, while Make bills per operation. This makes n8n ideal for more complicated multi-step workflows, while Make is great for simpler automations.
• User interface. Though both have a drag-and-drop interface, Make’s design is more polished and modern, making it the less intimidating option. n8n’s interface is functional and clean, but it’s more difficult to master than Make’s.

n8n vs Make: features and tech comparison

In this section, I break down each provider’s features across key categories. Keep reading below to see how n8n and Make compare. For an overview of their features, refer to the comparison table below.

Features	n8n	Make
Workflow automation	Node-based with custom JavaScript	Module-based, no-code
Integrations	400+	2,000+
Execution-based pricing	Charged per completed execution	Charged per operation
Data transformation tools	Advanced functions, like merging and splitting data sets	Simple functions, like data filtering
Scheduling and triggers	Web hooks, app events, manual triggers, multiple triggers in one workflow	Web hooks, app events, manual triggers

Workflow automation

When it comes to workflow automation, both n8n and Make utilize a drag-and-drop approach, simplifying the workflow creation process. However, the level of finetuning differs.

I found that n8n uses a node-based system combined with custom JavaScript for flexible, code-friendly workflows. This level of customizability is especially useful for developers and users who need fine control over their automation processes.

For example, you can use custom JavaScript to evaluate resumes based on specific keywords or qualifications, making candidate screening a streamlined process.

On the other hand, Make takes a module-based, no-code approach with visual scenarios, making it easier for non-technical users to design and automate workflows. Pre-built modules make creating triggers and events accessible, though this comes at the cost of the ability to finetune each step.

For instance, I can see this feature applied to easily automate employee onboarding with Make’s pre-built modules for sending welcome emails, adding staff to Slack channels, and scheduling orientation on Google Calendar.

If you're interested in building more advanced, AI-powered workflows, you might also want to explore the best AI agent builder for creating more sophisticated automation processes.

Make is the better choice for less tech-savvy users thanks to its intuitive and simple process, though it doesn’t provide the same level of control as n8n does.

Integrations

Integrations allow you to perform tasks across multiple platforms without the need to switch between apps or websites. Fortunately, both platforms support popular apps like Google Drive, Typeform, OpenAI, and Notion.

However, Make wins by a large margin as it has 2,000+ integrations while n8n only has 400+. Some integrations available in Make but not in n8n include Canva, Blogger, ManyChat, Buffer, and Etsy.

Make has over 2,000 integrations, allowing for better cross-platform productivity.

Execution-based pricing

n8n offers two deployment options. The self-hosting option is free of charge, though it requires skill and infrastructure that may not be available to most users. The cloud hosting option is the ideal option for most teams and individuals, though of course it requires a subscription.

Subscription-wise, the key difference between these two platforms is when they decide to charge you. n8n charges per completed workflow execution, while Make charges per step in your workflow.

Say you have a workflow with only two steps: first, it pulls data from your Gmail account; next, it adds a row to your Google Sheet containing the retrieved data.

Now, n8n considers this whole workflow as one execution, charging you only once. On the other hand, Make considers it two steps and will charge you twice. This means that if you have complex, multi-step workflows, it’s cheaper to go with n8n. Meanwhile, workflows with few steps but that run often may be cheaper with Make.

n8n is the clear choice for users who have complex workflows that involve multiple steps.

Data transformation tools

Make has built-in functions for filtering, mapping and formatting data within modules. These are intuitive but limited to predefined options. For example, you can convert date formats or filter email lists. While effective, these functions may be insufficient for more complex workflows.

On the other hand, n8n lets you merge and split datasets, allowing for better data manipulation and more customized workflows. It also allows users to write custom code, allowing for better flexibility in data processing.

Compared to Make, n8n provides users with greater control over data processing and management.

Scheduling and triggers

Make supports real-time triggers through webhooks or app events, as well as scheduled runs (for example, every 15 minutes). These options make it easy to automate tasks such as generating daily reports, scheduling meetings, and sending out weekly newsletters.

n8n, on the other hand, does all that and more. You can further customize triggers by combining multiple triggers in a single workflow. For example, you can set up a workflow that is executed based on a webhook; however, if that fails, the workflow falls back automatically to a scheduled check.

Being able to combine multiple triggers allows for more complex workflows and covers a wider variety of needs.

User experience

Both n8n and Make have drag-and-drop builders with polished designs, though Make feels more beginner-friendly to me. Its colorful and minimalist design is less intimidating, and the implicit simplicity of its module-based process is a big advantage.

When it comes to building a workflow, clicking the start button immediately brings up familiar options like Google Sheets, Airtable, Notion, and WordPress.

On the other hand, the node-based interface from n8n appeals to more technical users. There’s a sleeker feel to n8n’s interface, but it can also be daunting to use because of the customization options.

Looking at n8n’s workflow creator gives me the impression that it has a steeper learning curve – and it does.

One distinct disadvantage is that n8n’s trigger and action options lack help text. Whereas Make describes what each action does, n8n users are left to infer meaning from the name of the action alone.

n8n’s configuration pop-up also uses more technical terminology. For example, in the field your account details, n8n asks for “Credentials” while Make asks for “Connections.” While tech users will know immediately what a credential is, casual users are more likely to understand account connection.

Overall, while power users might not mind n8n’s interface, I believe most users will likely prefer Make’s look and feel.

Community and customer support

Both platforms offer various ways to connect to their dedicated communities.

n8n’s open-source community is active and helpful on its official forum, Discord server, X (formerly Twitter) account, LinkedIn page, and YouTube account. Its GitHub repository has 70,000 stars and counting. You can also find public templates on n8n’s website, which showcases over 1,500 workflow automation templates that cover AI, sales, IT, marketing, finance, HR, and other departments.

As for support, you can find extensive documentation on the n8n website, plus its guide on self-hosting. However, email support is exclusive to Power and Enterprise users.

Meanwhile, you can find Make on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube. The Make Help Center doesn’t have as impressive documentation, but it’s a good place to start if you’re facing issues.

Where Make’s community shines is its templates gallery, which boast over 7,000 templates covering a wide variety of tools, like ChatGPT, Telegram, Gmail, Facebook Ad Leads, and more.

Plans and pricing (+ comparison table)

n8n and Make employ different pricing schemes, with n8n charging you per workflow execution and Make charging you per step of your workflow.

The Starter plan from n8n for €24/month (about $25.82/month) covers 2,500 workflow executions (with unlimited steps) and 5 active workflows at a time. While not a lot, it does allow for unlimited users per plan.

By contrast, Make’s cheapest paid plan ($10.59/month) covers 10,000 operations (or steps), unlimited active scenarios, and unlimited users. Make also has a free tier, though it’s limited to only 1,000 operations per month.

Determining the most affordable option isn’t a straightforward process. If your workflows consist of multiple steps, then n8n may be the cheaper option for you. However, Make may have better value for your money if you have simpler workflows.

For example, let’s say I have a workflow with five steps that I need to run 2,500 times per month. Here’s how each platform will charge me:

• n8n will count this as 2,500 executions, meaning I meet the limit of my Starter plan.
• Make will count that as 12,500 steps, so it exceeds the Core plan, and I might see overage costs.

For more information on the platforms’ pricing plans, refer to the below table.

Feature	n8n starter plan	Make core plan
Starting price	€24/month (about $25.82/month)	$10.59/month
Number of workflows	2,500 executions (with unlimited steps)	10,000 steps
Number of active automatic operations	5	Unlimited
Number of users	Unlimited	Unlimited
Number of integrations	400+	2,000+
Execution log	7 days	7 days

Final word on the n8n vs Make comparison

When comparing n8n and Make, it’s clear that each platform suits a different kind of user based on skill level and automation needs.

Without a doubt, n8n is best suited to developers who need advanced features and granular control over their workflows. With its node-based system, availability for custom code, advanced data processing tools, multi-trigger support, and self-hosting options, n8n appeals to users who prioritize customizability and cost-efficiency. For a deeper look, check out our n8n review.

On the other hand, Make is more suitable for beginners or non-tech-savvy teams who need a user-friendly and accessible no-code workflow tool. With Make’s module-based approach, thousands of app integrations, and pre-built templates, this platform is ideal for basic but effective workflows.

Between the two, it’s hard to make a definitive ruling of which is best. The right workflow tool for you is n8n if you’re an expert who values flexibility, while Make is ideal if you’re new to automation and prefer simplicity.

FAQ