n8n vs Make: Which Should You Automate With?

n8n and Make both target automation builders who outgrew linear trigger-action tools. The real fork in the road: Make is a polished managed cloud with a brilliant visual canvas; n8n trades some polish for self-hosting, code-level extensibility, and the strongest AI-agent tooling in the category.

	n8n	Make
Pricing model	Execution-based; free to self-host the community edition	Operation-based cloud subscription
Hosting	Cloud or self-hosted anywhere Docker runs	Cloud only
Extensibility	JavaScript/Python code nodes, custom nodes, community node ecosystem	HTTP module and functions within scenarios; no custom module SDK for end users
AI features	Native AI agent nodes, LangChain integration, local/self-hosted model support	AI modules for popular providers within scenarios
Visual editor	Node graph — powerful, slightly more utilitarian	The slickest canvas in the space, with routers and iterators
Data control	Full — your server, your data	Data transits Make’s cloud

Choose n8n if…

✓ You want to self-host — for cost, compliance, or control
✓ You are building AI agents with custom tools, RAG, or local models
✓ You want to drop into code when visual nodes run out
✓ High execution volume makes per-operation billing expensive

Browse n8n workflows →

Choose Make if…

✓ You want a managed platform with zero server maintenance
✓ The team prefers the most refined visual building experience
✓ Your volume fits comfortably in a mid-tier subscription
✓ You need Make-specific connectors your stack depends on

Browse Make workflows →

Our take

These two are closer in spirit than either is to Zapier. Pick Make when you want a beautiful managed canvas and predictable subscription. Pick n8n when ownership matters — of your data, your costs at scale, or your AI stack. Agencies frequently prototype in Make and productionize heavy pipelines in self-hosted n8n.

Frequently asked questions

Is n8n cheaper than Make?

Self-hosted n8n has no per-operation meter — you pay for your server, so heavy workloads are dramatically cheaper. For light workloads on managed cloud plans, prices are comparable.

Which is better for AI agents?

n8n, clearly. Its agent nodes, LangChain integration, and local model support make it the default choice for AI-first automation in 2026.

Can I run n8n without DevOps skills?

n8n Cloud requires none. Self-hosting needs basic Docker comfort — a single docker compose up on a small VPS is enough for most teams.

Where can I get ready-made workflows for either platform?

Neura Market carries 27,000+ importable workflows across n8n, Make, Zapier, Activepieces, and Pipedream — filter by platform and import in one click.

Skip the build — start from a working template

Neura Market carries 27,000+ ready-made workflows for both platforms, so you can evaluate them with real automations instead of blank canvases.

n8n Templates Make Templates