n8n VS Make: The Complete Comparison Guide

n8n.io and Make.com are two automation solutions, but the similarities end in visual scenarios. Under the hood, they have different approaches to flexibility, scaling, and cost. When you're choosing between these platforms, it's important to understand not only what integrations are available, but also how far you can go in building your own processes.

This comparison is an honest analysis of what each instrument benefits from and when one is definitely preferable to the other.

Understanding Make and n8n

Both Make and n8n are designed for the same purpose — to automate processes, eliminate routine and link disparate services into a single system. Now let's learn more about the key differences and who both platforms are for.

The main differences

Make is betting on simplicity. This is a tool with ready-made templates, a user-friendly interface and quick launch of scripts without having to understand the details. It is useful for tasks where speed and visibility are important, and complex logic is not required.

n8n, by contrast, offers more flexibility. There are more options for customization, conditional transitions, working with the API, and even writing your own code within scripts. The choice for those who want to build complex chains of actions, manage data more deeply and go beyond standard solutions.

Target audiences

Make is more often chosen by business users without technical training:

• marketers;
• project managers;
• small business owners.

If you need to quickly connect CRM, email, messengers and analytics, Make will do it effortlessly.

n8n, on the other hand, will be more interesting for technical specialists:

• developers;
• data analysts;
• DevOps engineers.

The platform allows you to build complex integrations, work with non-standard APIs and adapt processes to the company's specific tasks.

User interface and workflow design

To choose an automation tool, the list of functions is not enough. The picture only becomes clear when you can see how convenient it is to create and manage processes on a daily basis. Let's look at the parameters that make using the platform either easy or cumbersome.

Interface

Make's visual interface is built around simple logic: the script is a sequential scheme with modules connected by clear lines. Everything looks clean and transparent, which helps you quickly grasp the essence of work processes even without experience.

The n8n interface is visually similar but focused on greater depth. There are more customization options and the nodes themselves are more flexible. However, such an abundance of options requires more attention, especially at the development stage.

How easy it is to figure out

Make poses almost no obstacles at the start. Scripts are assembled quickly, the interface suggests the necessary steps, and ready-made templates cover typical tasks. You can start almost immediately.

n8n is noticeably more demanding. The platform is being revealed gradually: simple scenarios are easy, but complex connections will require understanding the API, query parameters, and data processing logic.

How the automation process is built

Make's designer focuses on speed and convenience. New modules are added in seconds, and popular integrations are available without additional configuration or code.

n8n offers an advanced designer. In addition to standard actions, conditions, filters, error handling, and code addition are available. This flexibility is especially useful when automation goes beyond basic scenarios.

Intuitiveness

Make was created with a focus on users who value speed. The platform is almost self-explanatory: most of the features are clear at a glance.

The n8n interface is slightly more complicated. It remains logical, but the depth of the settings means that the user is familiar with the basics of automation. This is not a minus, but rather a focus on the audience with a request for flexibility.

What skills will be needed

Make is suitable for a wide range of users. To get started, a basic understanding of cloud services and how to work with applications is sufficient.

A more serious level of training is desirable for n8n:

• understanding the data structure;
• API principles;
• basic knowledge of scripts.

Comparison of key features

When it comes to automation, tools don't just evaluate the appearance or accessibility of templates. The platform's strength lies in its core: the flexibility of scenarios, the breadth of integrations and, importantly, the ability to deal with errors without failures.

It's time to figure out what Make and n8n offer in these strategically important zones.

Parameter

Make

n8n

Automation flexibility

It works through ready-made modules: you select an action, set a trigger, and the script is ready.

It supports complex chains, conditions, data processing and extensive scenarios. You can also customize the execution schedule, which is convenient for regular tasks where stability is important.

It goes deeper and gives you more freedom. This is also a visual designer, but with the ability to add your own JavaScript, manage API requests, and work directly with databases.

It is especially useful if you need flexible customization of processes for yourself. Another strong point of n8n is the parallel processing of script branches, while in Make, the chain often goes in order.

Connecting external services

Make offers more than 1500 ready-made integrations at once: from Google Workspace to Shopify and CRM systems. Everything works out of the box, without having to manually configure anything.

n8n has a more modest choice of ready-made integrations — about 400, but here we rely on flexibility. You can build API requests yourself and write your own scripts to connect almost any system.

This approach is especially valuable if you work with non-standard software or the company's internal solutions.

Dealing with bugs

There are built-in solutions: automatic retries, clear rules for handling errors, and visual debugging of scenarios.

Try-Catch nodes are available to catch errors, custom recovery logic, send notifications, or rerun tasks. Everything is configured individually, for specific scenarios.

Pricing and subscription options

Make and n8n offer both free and paid solutions.

Free solutions

Both platforms have free access, but with different approaches and restrictions:

Make (cloud-based):

• Up to 1,000 operations per month (any action in automation is considered an operation)
• Limited access to premium integrations,
• For one user only,
• The script run interval is at least 5 minutes.

n8n (self hosting):

• Unlimited scripts and runs — you manage the server yourself,
• Without restrictions on integrations,
• Own hosting is required.

Paid subscriptions

Platforms have different approaches to paid tariffs: Make counts the number of transactions, while n8n focuses on features and type of placement.

Make (from ~$9 per month):

• Increased transaction limits (from 10,000 per month),
• Faster script runs — from 1 minute,
• Advanced integrations and priority support,
• Team collaboration on advanced rates.

n8n Cloud (from ~$20 per month):

• Fully managed hosting,
• Payments depend on the amount of use,
• Advanced security measures and dedicated resources,
• The ability to use your own domain and teamwork tools at higher rates.

Business solutions

Both platforms offer enterprise packages:

Make Enterprise:

• Individual transaction limits,
• SSO support and compliance with security standards,
• Dedicated support and training for the team.

n8n Enterprise (cloud or own server):

• Full API access and unlimited scenarios
• The ability to host on your own servers or in a private cloud,
• Advanced security and priority support.

How platforms care about security

Both systems are equipped with a basic set of security features. But n8n has a major advantage: you can install it on your own server and fully customize it to your own rules.

What Make offers:

• Data transmission is encrypted all the way
• Flexible access settings for the team
• Integrations are secured with API keys and OAuth
• Regular updates and threat monitoring

And n8n has:

• Full control over security through self-hosting
• Support for various authorization methods, including tokens and SSO
• All data remains within your infrastructure, without being transferred to third parties
• Updates are coming from both the community and enterprise support

Compliance with regulations and standards

Make supports GDPR and SOC 2 standards and data storage in reliable cloud storage.

n8n offers the ability to deploy the system in a HIPAA, GDPR, or ISO compliant environment. And also — self-accommodation, which allows you to fully comply with the requirements of a particular industry.

How Make and n8n are used in practice

Today, Make and n8n cover a wide range of tasks, especially where you need to exchange data between services without unnecessary manual work.

• In online stores Make perfectly synchronizes orders with CRM and email platforms, simplifying the process. n8n also allows you to set up more complex integrations, including working with marketplaces and personalized notifications.

• For marketing Make combines ads, Google Sheets, and emails to automatically work with leads. n8n offers more options for fine-tuning, such as dynamic audience segmentation and working with external data.

• As part of customer support Make integrates with Zendesk or Freshdesk to automate ticket processing. n8n gives you more flexibility: you can customize analytics and automatic ticket distribution.

• To synchronize data Make easily combines data between systems using ready-made solutions. n8n is suitable for more complex data processing.

What about the results?

Let's consider real case studies of companies.

Musixmatch and n8n

When you're the world's largest lyricist provider with 80 million active users and collaborations with 1.2 million artists, any process inefficiency hurts your business

The solution was n8n. In two weeks, the team created a system where even employees without a technical background can receive complex data in a couple of clicks.

StepStone and n8n

Jobs came in doses of formats, and integrating each source tool engineers two whole weeks. The solution? n8n.

We raised two AWS instances with PostgreSQL, added AI for autocompletion, and the system flies.

Datatoolbox and Make

Datatoolbox, a marketing agency based in Düsseldorf, has turned automation into its competitive advantage. When it came to processing data from Facebook, Google, HubSpot, and LinkedIn, the old methods with VBA and Python scripts turned into chaos.

With Make's drag-and-drop interface and access to 2,200+ apps, the Datatoolbox team rebuilt the entire business:

• Customers fill out a form with their data sources
• The system itself cleans and structures information for analysis
• AI applications create individual strategies for each client
• Advertising campaigns are optimized in real time

PayWhiz and Make

Brooklyn-based HR and payroll solutions is faced with a classic dilemma of a growing business: how to automate file transfers to customers while ensuring the security of payroll data?

The combination of SFTP To Go and Make worked:

• SFTP To Go provides AES-256 encryption, storage in S3, and compliance with all regulatory requirements
• Make webhooks replaced outdated batch processing by running processes in real time
• Automatic file routes based on folder structure or file names
• Seamless integration with Google Cloud for data analysis and validation

The result is instant data delivery, 99.9% uptime with AWS, and, most importantly, full protection of sensitive information.

Implementation issues

Integration is not so perfect, and there are also some challenges.

Technical complexity

Make appeals for its ease of use, but when it comes to non-standard tasks, its capabilities are quickly exhausted. n8n offers much more flexibility and functionality, but requires certain technical competencies from the team.

Infrastructure issues

With Make, it's simple — you work in the cloud and don't think about infrastructure. But this has a downside: you have limited control over your data. n8n can be deployed on your own server, which gives you full control, but you'll have to set up and maintain yourself.

Economic aspects

With the increase in use, Make can seriously hit the budget. n8n looks more cost-effective at large volumes, but you need to take into account the additional costs of infrastructure and specialists.

What's the result?

Ultimately, which is better, n8n or Make?

It all depends on your tasks and opportunities.

• If you want to quickly automate processes without deep technical knowledge, use Make.
• If you care about flexibility, full control over the data, and you have technical resources, take a look at n8n.

Be honest about your needs and capabilities so that the tool solves problems rather than creates new ones.