Make vs n8n: which automation tool?
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Both let you connect apps and add AI steps without writing a full program. Make is built for non-developers; n8n gives technical users more control, including self-hosting.
Start with Make if…
You’re not a developer and want a visual builder with templates, routers and filters, and a free plan with 1,000 credits a month.
Start with n8n if…
You’re comfortable with webhooks, JSON and APIs, want code steps or AI agents, or want to self-host for control or cost.
A useful first comparison
Rebuild one simple automation, such as “new form entry → spreadsheet row → email”, in both. Note how long it took, how clear errors were, and what each would cost at your real monthly volume.
EDITORIAL GUIDANCE · NOT A HANDS-ON BENCHMARK| At a glance | MakeProductivity | n8nProductivity |
|---|---|---|
| A useful fit for | Building multi-step automations, including AI steps, on a visual canvas | Technical users building complex or high-volume automations, or teams that want to self-host |
| In plain English | A visual, no-code automation builder for connecting apps and AI tools into multi-step workflows. | A workflow automation tool for technical users, with a visual node editor, code steps and AI agents. It can be self-hosted. |
| Getting started | Free plan | Free self-hosted edition; Cloud trial |
| Learning curve | Allow time for setup | Allow time for setup |
| What to watch | There is a learning curve, runs use credits and plans are listed in US dollars. Test every scenario before switching it on. | It has a steeper learning curve than Make or Zapier. Cloud plans are listed in euros, and self-hosting makes you responsible for updates, security and backups. |
| Paid pricing | Check current plans ↗ (opens in new tab) Prices, currency and tax vary by location. | Check current plans ↗ (opens in new tab) Prices, currency and tax vary by location. |
| Our first-step suggestion | Try Make on one small automate a task task. Review the result before upgrading. | Try n8n on one small automate a task task. Review the result before upgrading. |
| Next step | Paid link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn’t change our recommendations. Affiliate disclosureTry Make ↗ (opens in new tab) | Try n8n ↗ (opens in new tab) |
Two different audiences
Make (opens in new tab) (paid link: we may earn a commission) shows your automation as connected circles on a canvas, so you can follow the data from one app to the next. It suits people who think in steps rather than code. n8n (opens in new tab) also has a visual editor, but it leans technical: you can add JavaScript or Python, call any API and build AI agents, and you can run it on your own server. Both are capable; the right one depends on who will build and maintain the automations.
Side-by-side comparison
| Make | n8n | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Non-technical beginners and small businesses | Developers and technical teams |
| How usage is counted | Credits | Workflow executions (one full run) |
| Free option | Free plan: 1,000 credits a month | Free self-hosted Community Edition; Cloud trial |
| Self-hosting | No | Yes |
| Code steps | Limited | JavaScript and Python |
| Scheduling on free | Every 15 minutes at most | Depends on your plan or server |
Pricing in plain English
| Plan | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Free | US$0: 1,000 credits/month | Community Edition (self-hosted) |
| Entry | Core (priced by credits; check Make’s site) | Cloud Starter: €20/month billed annually |
| Next tier | Pro, Teams; Enterprise by quote | Pro: €50/month billed annually |
| Larger teams | Teams; Enterprise by quote | Business: €667/month billed annually |
Prices checked on 14 October 2026 from the official pricing pages (make.com/en/pricing in US dollars and n8n.io/pricing in euros). Prices are shown as listed, in the currency each provider uses (marked US$ or €). Australian GST and currency conversion may apply, so confirm the final price at checkout.
The pricing models differ. Make uses credits, so long scenarios that run often use more. n8n counts one execution per full workflow run, however many steps it has, which can work out cheaper for long workflows. Estimate your real volume on each pricing page before deciding. Per Make’s affiliate offer at the time of writing, people who sign up through our link get the Core plan free for one month; confirm the offer at sign-up.
Pros and cons
Make
✓ Pros
- Visual canvas that’s easy to follow
- Free plan with 1,000 credits a month
- Large app library (3,500+ apps) and templates
- No server to maintain
↳ Cons
- Credits add up on long or frequent scenarios
- 15-minute minimum interval on the free plan
- Less flexible for custom code
- Learning curve for complex routing
n8n
✓ Pros
- Free self-hosted Community Edition
- Execution-based pricing for long workflows
- Code steps and custom API requests
- Strong AI agent features
↳ Cons
- Steeper learning curve
- Cloud plans listed in euros
- Self-hosting needs maintenance and security
- Fewer beginner templates
Our verdict
Choose Make if you’re a beginner or a small business that wants automations working this week without a developer. Choose n8n if you’re technical, want to self-host or run long, high-volume workflows. See also Make vs Zapier, our Zapier alternatives and how to use Make.
Frequently asked questions
Is Make or n8n better for beginners?
Make is usually easier for non-technical beginners. n8n suits people comfortable with webhooks, JSON and APIs.
Is n8n free?
The self-hosted Community Edition is free. n8n Cloud has a free trial; paid Cloud plans start at €20 a month billed annually.
Is Make free?
Yes. Make’s free plan includes 1,000 credits a month, with scheduled runs at most every 15 minutes.
Which is cheaper, Make or n8n?
It depends on volume. Make charges by credits and n8n by full workflow runs, so compare using your real monthly usage.
Can I self-host Make?
No. Make is a hosted service. n8n can be self-hosted.
Why are n8n prices in euros?
n8n lists its Cloud prices in euros. Your Australian card will convert at its own rate, and GST may apply.
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This page includes paid links (we may earn a commission if you sign up through them, at no extra cost to you). It doesn’t change our recommendations. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Prices are shown as marked: US dollars (US$) and euros (€). Australian GST and currency conversion may apply. Confirm the final price at checkout.