Make vs n8n

Make is a no-code builder with 3,000-plus connectors from 9 USD a month. n8n adds JavaScript, Python and AI nodes and self-hosts free for technical teams.

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The verdict Side by side Plans and pricing Who each is for Other options

The verdict

For most lean B2B founders, Make is the faster path to working automations. The drag-and-drop builder, 3,000+ ready connectors and a 9 USD/mo on-ramp mean you can wire up cross-app workflows the same afternoon, with no server to run and no code to maintain.

n8n earns its place the moment you outgrow no-code. When you need custom JavaScript or Python in a flow, genuinely agentic AI nodes, or your data sitting on your own infrastructure for compliance or cost reasons, n8n's source-available, self-hostable model is in a different class. It costs more on cloud and asks more of you technically, but it gives you control Make structurally cannot.

The honest split: Make for speed and reach, n8n for control and ownership. A non-technical founder should start with Make and only reach for n8n when a real flexibility or hosting requirement forces the move.

What the data says

n8n covers more of the features we compared: 7 of 7, against 5.
Both have a free plan, so you can try each before you pay.
Both have an API and an MCP server, so either works with AI employees.
In our Automation ranking, n8n places 1 and Make 3 of 11.

Side by side

Make and n8n compared
11 points compared	Make	n8n
Starts at	$9/mo	€20/mo
Free plan	Yes	Yes
API	Yes	Yes
MCP server	Yes	Yes
AI / LLM nodes	Yes	Yes
Built-in AI	Yes	Yes
Custom code steps	Yes	Yes
Integrations & API	Yes	Yes
Open source	No	Yes
Self-hosting	No	Yes
Visual builder	Yes	Yes
Links	Visit	Visit

Plans and pricing

Make

FreeFree with no time limit and up to 1,000 credits a month.Free
Core10,000 credits a month with unlimited active scenarios; annual billing saves 15 percent or more.$9/mo
Pro10,000 credits a month with custom variables and priority execution; annual billing saves 15 percent or more.$16/mo
Teams10,000 credits a month with team management and template sharing; annual billing saves 15 percent or more.$29/mo

n8n

Community Edition (self-hosted)Free standard self-hosted version of n8n, offered by n8n on GitHub.Free
StarterHosted by n8n with 2,500 workflow executions a month; 20 per month billed annually.€240/yr
ProHosted by n8n with 10,000 executions a month and 3 shared projects; 50 per month billed annually.€600/yr
BusinessSelf-hosted only with 40,000 executions a month, SSO and Git version control; 667 per month billed annually.€8,004/yr

Prices as the vendors list them. They change often; the final price is on their sites.

Who each is for

Choose Make if…

Pick Make if you are a non-technical founder or an operations-led team who wants automations running fast. You will value the gentle learning curve, the 3,000+ pre-built connectors that cover most B2B stacks out of the box, and the 9 USD/mo entry with a free tier to test the waters. Choose it when you would rather not run a server, do not need custom code, and want the broadest app coverage with the least friction.

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Choose n8n if…

Pick n8n if you or someone on your team can write a bit of code and you want control. It is the right call when you need JavaScript or Python inside your workflows, want first-class AI and LLM nodes for branching agentic flows, or need to self-host for data ownership, compliance, or to escape per-task pricing. The free, self-hostable Community Edition makes it especially attractive for technical teams willing to trade a steeper setup for full control and a real exit from lock-in.

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