In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, business process automation has become essential for companies looking to scale efficiently. Two powerful contenders in this space are Make.com (formerly Integromat) and n8n. Both offer robust workflow automation capabilities, but with distinct approaches that may better suit different business needs.
User Experience and Interface
Make.com features a visually intuitive canvas with a scenario-based approach that many users find accessible. Its drag-and-drop interface uses a flowchart-style design that clearly illustrates data movement between connected apps.
n8n employs a node-based workflow builder that might feel more technical at first glance. However, this approach offers granular control over data transformation and routing, which power users often appreciate.
Integration Capabilities
Make.com boasts over 1,000 pre-built app integrations and a robust HTTP module for connecting to virtually any API. Their marketplace approach makes finding and implementing connections straightforward.
n8n offers fewer out-of-the-box integrations but compensates with exceptional flexibility. Its open-source nature allows developers to create custom nodes, and its HTTP nodes provide versatile API connectivity options.
Pricing Structure
Make.com operates on a tiered subscription model based on operations (the number of actions executed) and features. While offering a free tier, functionality expands significantly with paid plans starting around $9/month.
n8n provides two options: self-hosted (free and open-source) or cloud-hosted. The self-hosted option offers unlimited operations with no usage fees, making it potentially more cost-effective for high-volume users willing to manage their own infrastructure.
Technical Flexibility
Make.com excels in accessibility while still offering advanced features like custom functions and data mapping. It strikes a balance that works well for both technical and non-technical users.
n8n provides deeper technical capabilities with features like custom JavaScript code nodes, webhook handling, and error workflow branching. This makes it particularly strong for developers and technical teams.
Data Privacy and Deployment
Make.com is exclusively cloud-based, which means your data and workflows run on their infrastructure.
n8n offers self-hosting options, allowing organizations with strict data privacy requirements to run the entire platform within their own infrastructure—a significant advantage for companies in regulated industries.
Community and Support
Make.com provides extensive documentation, templates, and professional support options. Their established presence includes a large community of users sharing workflows and solutions.
n8n has a growing open-source community with active GitHub contributions. While smaller than Make.com’s ecosystem, the community is technically proficient and engaged in expanding the platform’s capabilities.
The Verdict
Choose Make.com if:
- You prefer an intuitive, user-friendly interface
- You need access to the widest range of pre-built integrations
- You value a polished, enterprise-ready solution with comprehensive support
Choose n8n if:
- Data privacy and self-hosting are priorities
- You need extensive customization capabilities
- You prefer open-source software and want to avoid operation limits
- Your team has technical skills and appreciates granular control
Both platforms continue to evolve rapidly, with Make.com expanding its enterprise capabilities and n8n growing its integration library. The best choice ultimately depends on your specific business requirements, technical resources, and automation complexity.
Have you tried either platform? What automation challenges are you looking to solve?
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