Reviewed 2026-10-14
Make vs n8n
Both are visual automation tools with branching. The difference is where they run and how you pay.
Our take
n8n
Make is the faster start: nothing to host, a polished canvas and a large app library. n8n wins on cost and control once volume grows, because self-hosting removes the per-operation bill and the data never leaves your infrastructure. Choose n8n if you have someone who can run a server, Make if you do not.
Side by side
Rows marked in colour show which option we think is ahead on that point.
| Criteria | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Credits per operation, on a monthly plan | Free when self-hosted; cloud plans are optional |
| Where it runs | Vendor-hosted only | Your server, or the vendor's cloud |
| First build | Polished canvas, quicker to learn | Powerful but more technical |
| Writing code in a step | Limited; mostly visual | JavaScript or Python nodes anywhere |
| Upkeep | None — the vendor runs it | Updates, backups and uptime are yours if self-hosted |
| Licence | Proprietary | Source-available under a fair-code licence |
Sources
These are the vendor pages we used when writing this comparison. Prices and plan limits change; confirm them before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Answers restate what this comparison records and link to the vendor pages it cites.
What is the difference between Make and n8n?
Both are visual automation tools with branching. The difference is where they run and how you pay.
How do Make and n8n compare on price?
Both are tiered, so the figure depends on your own volume. Our entries describe Make as: $9/month for 5,000 credits (free plan: 1,000). And n8n as: Free when self-hosted (source-available licence); cloud plans are paid. Compare the Make pricing page and the n8n pricing page before you commit.
Which should I choose, Make or n8n?
Make is the faster start: nothing to host, a polished canvas and a large app library. n8n wins on cost and control once volume grows, because self-hosting removes the per-operation bill and the data never leaves your infrastructure. Choose n8n if you have someone who can run a server, Make if you do not.
Where did the figures in this comparison come from?
This comparison is based on the vendor pages we read: Make pricing and n8n pricing. Prices and plan limits change, so check them before you commit.
How do Make and n8n compare on "How you pay"?
Make: Credits per operation, on a monthly plan. n8n: Free when self-hosted; cloud plans are optional.
How do Make and n8n compare on "Where it runs"?
Make: Vendor-hosted only. n8n: Your server, or the vendor's cloud.