Make vs n8n
Both Make and n8n let you build multi-step automations that connect your apps, but they aim at different users. The short version: Make is the easiest hosted no-code option; n8n is the flexible, self-hostable one for technical teams who want cost control and data ownership.
Make
Make is a fully hosted, visual drag-and-drop platform for building workflows (it calls them "scenarios") across 2,000+ apps. Its builder is genuinely powerful — branching, iterators, aggregators, and error handling — while staying approachable for non-developers. There is a permanent free tier, and paid plans start low (around $12/mo). Billing is usage-based (credits, formerly "operations"), so every module run consumes credits and costs can climb at high volume.
Best for: solo operators and small teams who want a slick no-code experience and do not want to manage servers.
n8n
n8n is source-available ("fair-code") and can be self-hosted for free (you pay only for your server), or run on n8n Cloud from around €20/mo. Crucially, it bills per full-workflow execution regardless of how many steps a workflow has — which is far cheaper for complex, high-volume automations. It is code-friendly, with JavaScript/Python nodes and strong AI-agent support, but has a steeper learning curve and self-hosting adds maintenance.
Best for: developers and technical teams who want flexibility, predictable pricing at scale, or must self-host for privacy.
Which should you choose?
Pick Make if you want the fastest no-code start and prefer a managed tool. Pick n8n if you are technical, care about cost at volume, or need to self-host for data control. Many teams start on Make and move high-volume workflows to n8n as usage grows.
Pricing changes often — check each vendor's current plans before committing.