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Comparison

n8n vs Make

The verdict

Choose Make when business users need a visual builder that handles real logic (routers, iterators, aggregators) without code or servers. Choose n8n when workflows are long, high-volume or AI-heavy, need code steps, or must run on your own infrastructure. Make bills credits per module action, while n8n bills one execution per full workflow run.

n8nMake
Hostingn8n Cloud, or self-hosted on your own servers or cloud accountCloud only, run by Make
Billing modelPer workflow execution on paid plans, however many steps the run has; free self-hosted Community EditionCredits, where most module actions use one credit; routers use none, and some AI modules use more
Cost as workflows get longerFlat, a 20-step run still counts onceGrows with every module in the scenario and every item iterated
Builder experienceNode canvas that exposes raw JSON and expressionsPolished visual canvas with drag-and-drop data mapping
Prebuilt app catalogHundreds of built-in nodes plus an HTTP Request node for any REST APIThousands of prebuilt apps plus an HTTP app for any API
Complex logicBranches, loops, merges, sub-workflows, JavaScript or Python code stepsRouters, filters, iterators and aggregators; code is possible but secondary
AI agentsAI Agent node with tool calling, memory and many model providers, inspectable step by stepMake AI Agents built visually inside scenarios, with a reasoning panel
Version control and environmentsGit-based source control and multiple environments on Business and EnterpriseScenario versions inside Make; no Git workflow
Data residencyFull control when self-hostedData passes through Make's cloud
MaintenanceYou own upgrades and uptime if self-hostingNone at the platform level

Choose n8n if

  • Scenarios are getting long and credit usage climbs every month
  • You are building AI agents that need custom tools, memory and model choice
  • Workflows need real code, sub-workflows or Git-based change control
  • Data must stay on infrastructure you control
  • A technical operator or partner will own the automations

Choose Make if

  • Operations or marketing staff will build and maintain scenarios themselves
  • You want visual data mapping without learning JSON expressions
  • The apps you need have prebuilt Make modules but no n8n node
  • You want nothing to host, patch or monitor

The short version

Make and n8n sit in the same middle ground: more capable than Zapier for branching logic, less work than writing code. The real differences are who builds, how you pay, and where it runs.

Make is a polished visual tool for business users who want routers and iterators without touching JSON. n8n is a workflow engine for technical operators who want code steps, AI agents with real control, and the option to self-host.

Where n8n wins

Long workflows at volume. n8n bills a whole run as one execution. Make spends a credit on most module actions, and iterators multiply that by the number of items processed. A scenario that loops over 50 order lines can use hundreds of credits per run. On n8n it is still one execution, and on the self-hosted Community Edition there are no execution fees at all.

AI agents with control. n8n’s AI Agent node accepts tools such as a CRM lookup, a database query or another workflow, plus memory and your choice of model provider. You can see each tool call and intermediate step, which is what you need when an agent misbehaves. See our AI lead qualification agent guide for a typical build.

Code when you need it. JavaScript or Python steps, sub-workflows and Git-based source control (on Business and Enterprise) make n8n behave more like software. That matters once a workflow runs a core business process.

Where it runs. Self-hosted n8n runs in your own cloud account or data center. For healthcare, finance and legal teams that often settles the question.

Where Make wins

Business users can own it. Make’s mapping panel, built-in functions and visual routers let an operations manager build a ten-branch scenario without help. n8n does not match that for non-technical builders.

App coverage. Make lists thousands of prebuilt apps. If a niche SaaS tool has a Make module and no n8n node, Make saves you from writing raw API calls.

Readable scenarios. Make’s canvas shows data flow clearly, and Make Grid maps how scenarios, apps and agents connect across an account. Handing a scenario to a new team member is easier.

Zero operations. There is no server to patch, no database to back up and no queue to tune.

What we recommend

If your team is non-technical and workflows are moderate in length and volume, Make is a good home and you should stay there. Move to n8n when credit usage starts driving decisions, when you need AI agents with several tools, or when data has to stay inside your environment.

Plenty of companies run both: Make for departmental scenarios owned by business teams, n8n for core processes and agents owned by an engineer or a partner. Lumeor builds and maintains n8n programs (see our n8n automations work) and handles Make to n8n migrations when the numbers justify it. If you are unsure which processes to automate first, start with an AI readiness assessment.

Frequently asked questions

Is n8n cheaper than Make?

For long or high-volume workflows, usually. Make charges a credit for most module actions, so a 12-module scenario that runs 5,000 times a month uses about 60,000 credits, while the same workflow on n8n Cloud is 5,000 executions. For short scenarios at low volume the difference is small, and Make needs no hosting. Check both vendors' current pricing pages.

Is Make easier to learn than n8n?

Yes, for most business users. Make's canvas, mapping panel and built-in functions let non-developers build multi-branch scenarios. n8n shows the underlying JSON and expects comfort with expressions, which is more powerful but takes longer to learn.

Can Make be self-hosted?

No. Make runs only in Make's cloud. If you need automations to run inside your own network or cloud account, n8n's self-hosted edition is the usual answer.

Which is better for AI agents?

Both can run agents. Make AI Agents are quick to set up visually and sit inside normal scenarios. n8n gives more control over tools, memory, prompts and providers, and lets you add code when the agent needs it. For production agents with several tools we usually choose n8n.

How hard is it to move from Make to n8n?

Scenarios are rebuilt, not converted. Routers map to IF or Switch nodes, iterators to item handling or loops, and aggregators to merge or code steps. Most scenarios move one to one. See our Make to n8n migration guide for the full plan.

Next steps

01 Browse free n8n templates Fifty starter workflows you can import today. No email required. 02 Take the 5-minute AI readiness assessment Get a score and a recommended first project in your browser. 03 Get a written scope and estimate Tell us what you want to automate. We reply within two business days.

Keep reading

Last updated October 14, 2026. Product details change often; check each vendor's current documentation and pricing.