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Make.com vs n8n
Make.com and n8n are both Workflow Automation & Marketing Ops tools. Here is how they compare on pricing, free plans, AI integrations and platforms, and when each is the better fit.
Side by side
| Feature | Make.com | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Workflow Automation & Marketing Ops | Workflow Automation & Marketing Ops |
| Pricing | Free option available | $20/month (Starter plan - billed annually, 2.5k workflow executions with unlimited steps, 5 active workflows, hosted by n8n, 1 shared project, 5 concurrent executions) |
| Free option | Yes | Yes |
| AI integrations | MCP server, Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Gemini | — |
| Links | Make.com listingVisit website (opens in a new tab) | n8n listingVisit website (opens in a new tab) |
Which to choose
Choose Make.com if
- want to build and debug workflows without writing traditional code
- need access to over 3,500 pre-built software integrations
- want a conversational AI assistant to create and update scenarios via natural language prompts
- need MCP server integrations for tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, and Gemini
- want a permanent free plan with a monthly credit allowance
Choose n8n if
- have a technical team that wants to write JavaScript or Python directly in workflows
- need an open-source platform with a self-hosted, on-premise deployment option
- prefer paying per workflow execution with unlimited steps rather than monitoring credit consumption
- want to import external libraries from npm or Python and paste cURL requests
- need to merge workflow branches in addition to splitting them
Verdict
Make.com suits marketing, sales, and operations teams that want to build automations without writing code. It offers over 3,500 integrations, a visual scenario builder, and the Maia AI assistant for natural language workflow creation. The main trade-off is its usage-based credit model, where complex features consume more credits and require ongoing monitoring.
n8n is built for developers and technical teams across IT Ops, DevOps, Security Ops, and sales. It pairs a drag-and-drop builder with the ability to write JavaScript or Python, import npm or Python libraries, and self-host on your own infrastructure. While n8n has fewer pre-built integrations at over 500 and a steeper technical learning curve, its cloud plans charge per workflow execution with unlimited steps, making costs predictable for multi-step processes.
FAQ
- How does pricing compare between Make.com and n8n?
Make.com uses a usage-based model with a free plan that provides a monthly credit allowance, where credit consumption varies by feature complexity. n8n offers a 14-day free trial and a Starter cloud plan at $20 per month (billed annually) for 2,500 workflow executions with unlimited steps, alongside an open-source self-hosted option.
- Which tool is better for non-technical marketers?
Make.com is better suited for users who do not write code, as it allows teams to build and debug scenarios using a visual interface or natural language prompts with the Maia AI assistant. n8n is designed specifically for technical teams and requires coding knowledge in JavaScript or Python to get the most out of its features.
- Which platform has more app integrations?
Make.com connects to over 3,500 software applications and AI model providers, plus custom HTTP and REST API endpoints. n8n includes over 500 integrations and 1,700 templates, and lets users paste cURL requests or import npm and Python libraries.
- Can I self-host Make.com or n8n?
n8n is open-source and offers a self-hosted, on-premise deployment option for organisations that want full control over their data and infrastructure. The Make.com listing does not mention a self-hosted option.