Make vs n8n (2026): Which Workflow Automation Tool Is Better?
By ToolVS Research Team · Updated April 9, 2026 · Based on 30+ hours of testing
Quick verdict: Pick n8n if you want self-hosting, code execution inside workflows, and unlimited automations at zero cost. Pick Make if you prefer a polished visual canvas and need more pre-built connectors without touching code. n8n wins 6-4 overall, mainly on pricing and developer flexibility.
Our Verdict
Make
- Beautiful drag-and-drop canvas
- 1,800+ app connectors
- Generous free tier (1,000 ops)
- No self-hosting option
- Operations-based pricing adds up
- Limited code execution
Deep dive: Make full analysis
Features Overview
Make (formerly Integromat) is a visual automation platform with a canvas-based workflow builder. It connects 1,800+ apps and handles complex scenarios with routers, iterators, and error handlers. With 7,450+ G2 reviews at 4.7/5, it is one of the highest-rated automation tools.
Pricing Breakdown (April 2026)
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1,000 operations/mo, 2 scenarios |
| Core | $9/mo | 10,000 operations/mo, unlimited scenarios |
| Pro | $16/mo | 10,000 ops, custom functions, priority |
| Teams | $29/mo | 10,000 ops, team features, roles |
| Enterprise | Custom | SSO, dedicated support, SLA |
Who Should Choose Make?
- Visual thinkers who love drag-and-drop workflow design
- Teams that need complex branching without writing code
- Businesses already in the Make ecosystem with existing scenarios
- Users who want more power than Zapier at a lower cloud price
n8n
- Self-host = unlimited free
- Full JS + Python code nodes
- Open source (fair-code)
- Fewer built-in connectors (400+)
- Self-hosting requires DevOps
- Visual builder less polished
Deep dive: n8n full analysis
Features Overview
n8n is a self-hostable workflow automation tool with a visual editor and code nodes. It supports 400+ integrations, JavaScript/Python execution, webhooks, and complex branching. Rated 4.7/5 on G2, it is the top choice for developers who want full control over their automation infrastructure.
Pricing Breakdown (April 2026)
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted | $0 | Unlimited everything |
| Cloud Starter | $20/mo | 2,500 executions, 5 workflows |
| Cloud Pro | $50/mo | 10,000 executions, unlimited workflows |
| Enterprise | Custom | SSO, audit logs, SLA |
Who Should Choose n8n?
- Developers comfortable with Docker and basic server management
- Teams with high-volume automation needs (self-host saves thousands)
- Companies with strict data residency or privacy requirements
- Anyone who wants to extend workflows with custom code
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Make | n8n | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Builder | Polished drag-and-drop canvas | Functional node editor | ✔ Make |
| Self-Hosting | Not available | Docker, free unlimited | ✔ n8n |
| Pricing | $9/mo for 10K ops | $0 self-hosted unlimited | ✔ n8n |
| Connectors | 1,800+ apps | 400+ apps + HTTP node | ✔ Make |
| Code Execution | Limited custom functions | Full JS + Python nodes | ✔ n8n |
| Data Privacy | Cloud-only, data on Make servers | Self-host keeps data local | ✔ n8n |
| Error Handling | Built-in retry + error routes | Manual error workflow setup | ✔ Make |
| Open Source | Closed source | Fair-code license | ✔ n8n |
| Support | Email + priority on paid | Community + paid tiers | ✔ Make |
| Flexibility | Great within its framework | Extend with any code | ✔ n8n |
● Make wins 4 · ● n8n wins 6 · Based on 9,700+ user reviews
Which do you use?
Who Should Choose What?
→ Choose Make if:
You love visual workflow design and want a polished canvas experience. You need more connectors than n8n offers out of the box and prefer cloud-managed infrastructure without DevOps overhead.
→ Choose n8n if:
You are a developer who wants to write code inside workflows, self-host for free, or keep data on your own servers. The cost savings at scale are massive — thousands of dollars per year compared to Make.
→ Consider neither if:
You need the absolute simplest setup with 7,000+ app connectors — Zapier is still the easiest option. For embedded workflow automation in your product, look at Temporal or Windmill.
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Our Methodology
We built the same multi-step automation workflows in Make and n8n: data sync, webhook processing, conditional routing, and API orchestration. Testing covered 30+ hours, including Make Cloud and n8n self-hosted on Docker. We compared execution reliability, build time, and cost at various scales. Data comes from 9,700+ reviews on G2, Capterra, and Product Hunt.
Ready to automate?
Both have free tiers. Try Make for the visual canvas, n8n for developer power.
Last updated: . Pricing and features are verified weekly via automated tracking.