Make vs n8n: Which is Better in 2026?
Make and n8n are two of the most powerful workflow-automation platforms of 2026, both far more capable than a linear tool like Zapier for complex flows — but they differ in who runs them and who builds them. Make (formerly Integromat) is a hosted, visual no-code platform with a drag-and-drop canvas, advanced branching, and operation-based pricing. n8n is a fair-code, self-hostable platform that sits between no-code and code, with a node editor, code steps, and the deepest native AI/agent tooling in the category.
The core trade-off is hosted visual no-code (Make) versus self-hostable, developer-leaning, AI-native automation (n8n). Both handle branching, iteration, and data transformation well. Below: hosting & data control, builder & complexity, AI capabilities, pricing, and how to choose.
Quick verdict
Pick Make when you want a powerful visual no-code canvas, broad hosted convenience, and operation-based pricing that scales gently — ideal for teams that need complex branching without managing infrastructure or writing code. Pick n8n when you want to self-host for data control, drop into code when needed, or build sophisticated AI agents — its 2026 LangChain integration, 70+ AI nodes, and persistent agent memory are unmatched, and self-hosting makes high-volume automation essentially a flat server cost. In short: Make for hosted visual power, n8n for control, code, and AI-native workflows.
Make vs n8n — Side by Side
| Make | n8n | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Automation & Workflows | Automation & Workflows |
| Pricing | Free · paid from $9/mo | Free · paid from $20/mo |
| Starting price | Free tier available | Free tier available |
| Free tier | ||
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.6 |
| Best for | Automation & Workflows — no-code, integrations | Automation & Workflows — open-source, self-hosted |
Make vs n8n: The Details That Matter
01Hosting & data control
n8n can be self-hosted, so your workflow data and credentials stay inside your own environment (VPC) — it encrypts stored credentials, lets you configure execution retention, and manages permissions. Note it’s fair-code (Sustainable Use License), source-available with some commercial-use restrictions, not OSI open-source. There’s also n8n Cloud from ~$20/month if you don’t want to run it.
Make is a fully hosted, managed platform — no infrastructure to run, but your automation data flows through Make’s cloud. That’s the convenience-vs-control trade: zero ops with Make, full data ownership with self-hosted n8n.
In short
n8n can be self-hosted for full data control (fair-code, not OSI open-source); Make is fully hosted — zero ops but data runs through its cloud.
02Builder & complexity
Make’s visual scenario builder is genuinely powerful — routers, iterators, and aggregators let you construct complex branching and data transformations entirely without code, all on a drag-and-drop canvas. The trade is a steeper learning curve than Zapier.
n8n sits between no-code and code: a node-based editor for visual building, with the option to drop into JavaScript/code steps when a flow outgrows the nodes. That makes it especially comfortable for technical users who want an escape hatch.
In short
Make is powerful pure no-code (routers/iterators/aggregators); n8n is node-based with a code escape hatch for technical users.
03AI capabilities (2026)
n8n is the AI-native leader: n8n 2.0 (January 2026) added native LangChain integration, 70+ AI nodes, and persistent agent memory — no competing platform matches that depth for building multi-agent systems and sophisticated AI workflows.
Make has invested in AI too — its Maia assistant builds scenarios from natural-language prompts, and Make AI Agents handle autonomous tasks — which is excellent for accessible AI automation, but n8n goes deeper for developer-built agentic systems.
In short
n8n leads AI depth (LangChain, 70+ AI nodes, agent memory); Make’s Maia + AI Agents make AI accessible but go less deep.
04Pricing
n8n self-hosted is effectively a flat server fee regardless of execution volume — unbeatable for very high-volume automation (e.g. a VPS for tens of dollars a year handling 10K+ runs). n8n Cloud starts around $20/month if you prefer managed.
Make uses operation-based pricing that’s very economical at volume — its Basic tier starts around $9/month for 10,000 operations, far gentler than per-task tools. You pay per module run, with no infrastructure to manage.
In short
n8n self-hosted is a flat server cost (cheapest at high volume); Make’s operation-based plans are economical and fully managed.
05How to choose
Choose Make if you want hosted, no-code visual power with strong branching and don’t want to manage servers or write code — a great fit for ops teams building complex flows.
Choose n8n if you need data to stay in your own environment, want to drop into code, or are building AI agents — its self-hosting and 2026 AI tooling make it the developer and AI-automation favorite.
Pros & Cons
- Powerful visual builder
- Great value (ops-based)
- Advanced branching/logic
- Generous free tier
- Steeper learning curve than Zapier
- Fewer integrations than Zapier
- Self-hostable & developer-friendly
- Native AI/agent automation
- No per-task pricing self-hosted
- Code when you need it
- Self-host needs ops
- Smaller integration library than Zapier
Key Features Compared
Make
- Visual scenario builder
- 1,000 ops/month
- Branching & filters
- 1,000+ app integrations
n8n
- Self-host free
- Node-based editor + code
- Native AI/agent nodes
- Unlimited workflows
Choose Make if…
- You want a powerful visual no-code canvas with routers, iterators, and aggregators.
- You prefer a fully hosted platform with zero infrastructure to manage.
- You value operation-based pricing that stays economical as volume grows.
- You want accessible AI automation via Maia and Make AI Agents without writing code.
Choose n8n if…
- You want to self-host so workflow data and credentials stay in your own environment.
- You’re technical and want to drop into code when a flow outgrows the visual nodes.
- You’re building sophisticated AI agents and want native LangChain, 70+ AI nodes, and agent memory.
- You run high automation volume and want a flat server cost instead of per-run pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Make better than n8n?⌄
Pick Make when you want a powerful visual no-code canvas, broad hosted convenience, and operation-based pricing that scales gently — ideal for teams that need complex branching without managing infrastructure or writing code. Pick n8n when you want to self-host for data control, drop into code when needed, or build sophisticated AI agents — its 2026 LangChain integration, 70+ AI nodes, and persistent agent memory are unmatched, and self-hosting makes high-volume automation essentially a flat server cost. In short: Make for hosted visual power, n8n for control, code, and AI-native workflows.
Which is rated higher, Make or n8n?⌄
In our catalog, Make rates 4.5 out of 5 and n8n rates 4.6 out of 5, so n8n has a slight edge on reviews.
Is n8n or Make better for AI automation?⌄
n8n, for depth — n8n 2.0 (January 2026) added native LangChain integration, 70+ AI nodes, and persistent agent memory, which no competing platform matches for building multi-agent systems. Make’s Maia assistant and AI Agents make AI automation accessible without code, but n8n goes further for developer-built agentic workflows.
Can I self-host n8n but not Make?⌄
Correct. n8n is fair-code (source-available) and self-hostable, so your workflow data and credentials can stay in your own environment; Make is a fully hosted platform only. Note n8n is not OSI open-source — its Sustainable Use License includes some commercial-use restrictions.
Which is cheaper, Make or n8n?⌄
At high volume, self-hosted n8n — it’s essentially a flat server fee no matter how many automations run, so a cheap VPS can handle large workloads. Make’s operation-based pricing (from ~$9/month for 10,000 operations) is very economical and fully managed, making it cheaper than per-task tools while avoiding any ops burden.
Is Make easier to use than n8n?⌄
For non-developers, generally yes — Make is pure no-code with a visual canvas, while n8n leans toward technical users with its node editor and code steps. That said, Make’s builder has a steeper learning curve than Zapier, and n8n’s code escape hatch is a real advantage once flows get complex.
Research & sources · last verified June 2026
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