Want all three compared? If Zapier is also in the running, read our comprehensive three-way comparison: → n8n vs. Make vs. Zapier
Overview: Make and n8n compared
Make (formerly Integromat) is a cloud-based automation platform from Prague. With a visual workflow editor and more than 2,000 integrations, Make is the platform we recommend most often — stable, powerful and well documented.
n8n (pronounced "n-eight-n") is an open-source automation tool from Berlin. The big difference: n8n can be self-hosted — your data never leaves your own server. There is also a cloud version for anyone who does not want to manage a server.
Both tools are considerably more powerful than Zapier and are aimed at users who need more than simple if-then rules.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Cloud (EU servers, AWS Frankfurt) | Cloud + self-hosted (your own server) |
| Visual editor | Mature, drag and drop, very intuitive | Good, but somewhat more technical |
| Integrations | 2,000+ native integrations | 500+ nodes (+ community nodes) |
| Code execution | JavaScript modules possible | JavaScript & Python — full freedom to code |
| GDPR / data protection | GDPR-compliant (EU servers), but a US company | Self-hosted: full control, data on your own server |
| Stability / uptime | 99.9% SLA, professional support | Depends on your own server setup (self-hosted) |
| Error handling | Built-in error handlers, retry, break/resume | Error workflows, retry — solid, but less convenient |
| Open source | No (proprietary) | Yes — fair-code licence, source code viewable |
Price comparison (as of March 2026)
| Plan | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 1,000 ops/month, 2 scenarios | Self-hosted: unlimited (server costs) |
| Cloud entry | from €10.59/month (10,000 ops) | from €20/month (2,500 executions) |
| Business-ready | from €18.82/month (10,000 ops, Teams) | from €50/month (Cloud Pro) |
| Self-hosted costs | Not available | Server costs only: approx. €10-50/month (Hetzner/AWS) |
| Enterprise | Individual (from approx. €150/month) | Individual (from approx. €300/month) |
Cost calculation for self-hosted n8n: A Hetzner Cloud server (CX21) costs about €8/month. Maintenance, updates and monitoring come on top. If you handle maintenance in-house, self-hosted n8n is cheaper. If you commission an agency to do it, the costs often even out with Make.
When Make, when n8n?
Choose Make if:
- You do not want to or cannot manage your own server
- You need maximum stability (99.9% SLA)
- Your workflows connect many different apps (2,000+ integrations)
- You want to be productive quickly — without a server setup
- You work with an agency that takes care of maintenance
Choose n8n if:
- You have special GDPR requirements (health, finance, public authorities)
- You have technical know-how in your team (DevOps, sysadmin)
- You need custom code (Python, JavaScript) in workflows
- You prefer open source and want to inspect the source code
- You need unlimited executions without volume-based costs
Our recommendation
For most mid-sized companies we recommend Make. The reason: you get a stable, well-maintained platform with excellent integrations — without having to worry about server maintenance.
We use n8n selectively, when data protection requirements call for self-hosting or when customers with a technical team want to keep full control over their infrastructure. In these cases n8n is the best open-source alternative on the market.
In practice we also combine both tools: Make for the main workflows, self-hosted n8n for sensitive data processes. That way you get the best of both worlds.
Further reading
Make or n8n — which is right for you?
In the free initial consultation, we analyse your requirements and recommend the right tool — independently and honestly.
Book an AI Check arrow_forwardFrequently asked questions
Is n8n really free?
n8n is open source and can be self-hosted for free. However, costs then arise for server hosting, maintenance and updates. The n8n cloud version costs from €20/month. For productive use, expect total costs of €30 to €100/month.
Which tool is better for GDPR compliance?
n8n has a clear GDPR advantage: self-hosted, n8n runs entirely on your own servers in Germany. Make offers data storage in the EU; you check the hosting region and sub-processors in the DPA. For particularly sensitive industries (healthcare, finance), self-hosted n8n can be the better choice.
Can an agency use both tools?
Yes, and that is exactly what we do. We use Make for most projects (faster, more stable, easier to maintain) and n8n for projects with special data protection requirements or when the customer insists on self-hosting. The choice of tool always depends on the use case.