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2026 comparison

Make vs n8n

Side-by-side analysis, no fluff. We've tested both in real-world conditions.

Summary table

Criterion
M

Make

Freemium

n

n8n

Freemium

Score
4.4 / 5
4.4 / 5
Category
Productivity
Productivity
Pricing model
Freemium
Freemium
Starting price
$9/mo
$20/mo
Badge
M

What's best about Make

  • Operations-based pricing is 5x cheaper than Zapier for complex workflows
  • Routers, iterators, and aggregators handle logic Zapier simply cannot
  • Built-in data transformation functions (no extra tools needed)
  • Free tier is genuinely useful — 1,000 ops covers many real use cases
n

What's best about n8n

  • Completely free to self-host with no execution or workflow limits
  • JavaScript and Python code nodes handle logic that no-code tools cannot
  • Native AI agent nodes with LangChain, OpenAI, and tool-calling support
  • Active open-source community with 45,000+ GitHub stars and growing node library
M

What's weakest about Make

  • Steeper learning curve than Zapier, especially for routers and iterators
  • Error handling UX is less intuitive than competitors
  • Fewer native integrations than Zapier (1,000 vs 6,000+)
  • Scenario editor can become visually complex on large workflows
n

What's weakest about n8n

  • Self-hosting requires Docker/server knowledge — not plug-and-play
  • Cloud pricing is higher than Make for equivalent execution volume
  • Fewer native integrations than Zapier (400 vs 6,000+)
  • UI can feel developer-centric — less approachable for non-technical users

Dimension scores

Make
n8n
Value for Money
9.5
9.8
App Integrations
8.8
8.5
Quick verdict

Technical tie — depends on your use case

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Make or n8n?+

Make and n8n are neck and neck — both score 4.4/5 in our tests. Visual workflow automation that goes far beyond simple Zaps. Open-source automation — self-host for free, or use the cloud.

Does Make have a free plan?+

Yes, Make has a free plan available. Paid plans start at $9/mo.

Does n8n have a free plan?+

Yes, n8n has a free plan available. Paid plans start at $20/mo.

How does Make differ from n8n?+

Make stands out for: Operations-based pricing is 5x cheaper than Zapier for complex workflows; Routers, iterators, and aggregators handle logic Zapier simply cannot. n8n excels at: Completely free to self-host with no execution or workflow limits; JavaScript and Python code nodes handle logic that no-code tools cannot.