n8n vs Make.com: Which Workflow Tool Is Right for You?

Short Answer: n8n or Make.com?

Choose Make.com if you want an intuitive visual builder with 1,800+ integrations, predictable cloud pricing, and you don’t need self-hosting. Choose n8n if you need self-hosting for data privacy, want to write custom code alongside visual workflows, or need unlimited executions at zero software cost. Both are excellent platforms — the right choice depends on your technical capabilities and data requirements.

Two Great Platforms, Different Philosophies

Make.com and n8n are both powerful alternatives to Zapier, but they approach automation from fundamentally different angles. Make.com is a polished, cloud-first platform designed for visual workflow building. n8n is a source-available, developer-friendly tool that you can self-host or use as a cloud service.

I’ve built hundreds of automations across both platforms for Australian businesses. Neither is objectively “better” — but one is almost always a better fit for a specific business’s needs. This comparison helps you figure out which one that is. For a broader comparison that includes Zapier, check out our Make.com vs Zapier vs n8n article.

Pricing: The Biggest Difference

Make.com Pricing

• Free: 1,000 operations/month, 2 active scenarios
• Core: ~US$10.59/month for 10,000 operations
• Pro: ~US$18.82/month for 10,000 operations + custom variables, full-text log search, priority execution
• Teams: ~US$34.12/month for 10,000 operations + team collaboration features
• Enterprise: Custom pricing with SSO, audit logs, dedicated support

Make.com charges based on “operations” — each module that processes data counts as one operation. This model is predictable and scales linearly with usage.

n8n Pricing

• Self-hosted (Community): Free forever, unlimited workflows, unlimited executions
• Cloud Starter: EUR 24/month for 2,500 executions
• Cloud Pro: EUR 60/month for 10,000 executions
• Enterprise: Custom pricing with SSO, audit logs, source-available license

n8n’s self-hosted option is the standout here. If you have the technical ability to run a Docker container on a server, you get unlimited automation at zero software cost. That’s a game-changer for businesses running thousands of automations per month.

Pricing Verdict

For cloud-to-cloud comparison, Make.com is generally cheaper per unit of work. But n8n’s self-hosted option obliterates any pricing comparison — unlimited for free. If you have the technical chops to self-host, n8n wins on price. If you want hassle-free cloud, Make.com offers better value than n8n Cloud.

Hosting Options: Cloud vs Self-Hosted

Make.com

Make.com is cloud-only. Your workflows run on Make’s infrastructure in EU and US data centres. There’s no self-hosted option, and there’s no way to choose where your data is processed geographically. For most Australian businesses, this is perfectly fine. But for businesses with strict data sovereignty requirements — healthcare, legal, government — the inability to self-host can be a dealbreaker.

n8n

n8n offers both cloud and self-hosted options. Self-hosting means you can run n8n on an Australian server (AWS Sydney, Azure Australia East, or your own infrastructure), ensuring data never leaves Australian jurisdiction. This is particularly valuable for:

• Healthcare practices subject to the Privacy Act and My Health Records Act
• Legal firms handling privileged client information
• Government contractors with data sovereignty requirements
• Financial services businesses under APRA regulations
• Any business processing sensitive Australian customer data

Hosting Verdict

If data sovereignty matters, n8n is the only option. If it doesn’t, Make.com’s managed cloud is more convenient and eliminates the need for server management.

User Interface and Experience

Make.com’s Canvas

Make.com’s visual canvas is the platform’s strongest feature. Workflows are laid out as flowcharts with modules connected by lines. You can see the entire workflow at a glance, zoom in on specific sections, and drag modules to rearrange them. The interface is polished, responsive, and genuinely pleasant to use.

Key UI strengths:

• Drag-and-drop module placement
• Visual data mapping with a preview panel
• Colour-coded modules by app
• Real-time execution visualisation (watch data flow through modules live)
• Inline documentation and module configuration

n8n’s Interface

n8n also uses a visual canvas, but the aesthetic is more functional than polished. It gets the job done well, but lacks some of Make.com’s visual refinements. Where n8n’s UI shines is in its code integration — you can switch between the visual editor and a code view seamlessly.

Key UI strengths:

• Code editor integrated directly into the canvas
• Expression editor with JavaScript support
• Workflow templates library
• Built-in credential management
• Debug mode with step-by-step execution and data inspection

UI Verdict

Make.com wins on visual polish and ease of use for non-technical users. n8n wins for developers who want code alongside their visual workflows. If your team includes non-technical staff building automations, Make.com’s interface will be more approachable.

Integrations and Connectors

Make.com: 1,800+ Integrations

Make.com has a massive library of pre-built integrations covering most popular business apps. For Australian businesses, native connectors for Xero, Deputy, and most major CRMs are available. The platform also supports custom HTTP/webhook modules for connecting to any app with an API.

n8n: 450+ Nodes (and Growing)

n8n’s integration library is smaller but growing rapidly. The platform compensates with powerful HTTP Request and Webhook nodes that let you connect to any API. Community-contributed nodes add additional integrations regularly. For Australian-specific apps, you may occasionally need to build custom connections using the HTTP node.

Integrations Verdict

Make.com has significantly more pre-built integrations. For mainstream apps, both platforms have you covered. For niche or Australian-specific apps, Make.com is more likely to have a native connector. n8n’s custom node system and HTTP capabilities mean you’re never truly stuck, but it may require more setup.

Code Capabilities

Make.com

Make.com is primarily a no-code platform. It supports basic expressions and functions within module configurations, and you can use the “Set Variable” module for simple data transformations. For more complex logic, there’s a “Custom Function” module that supports JavaScript — but it’s limited in scope compared to a full coding environment.

n8n

n8n embraces code as a first-class citizen. At any point in a workflow, you can add a “Code” node that runs JavaScript or Python with full access to npm packages and the Node.js standard library. This makes n8n dramatically more flexible for:

• Complex data transformations
• Custom API integrations without pre-built connectors
• Advanced string manipulation and regex processing
• Mathematical calculations and business logic
• Integration with AI models and custom algorithms

Code Verdict

n8n wins decisively for code capabilities. If your workflows regularly need custom logic, data transformation, or integration with systems that lack pre-built connectors, n8n’s code-first approach is significantly more powerful than Make.com’s limited scripting options.

Data Privacy and Compliance

Make.com

Make.com processes data in EU and US data centres, is GDPR compliant, and offers SOC 2 Type II certification on enterprise plans. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest. However, there’s no option to control where your data is geographically processed or stored.

n8n

Self-hosted n8n gives you complete control over data privacy. You choose where the server is located, what security measures are in place, and who has access. For n8n Cloud, data processing occurs in the EU. The self-hosted option is particularly compelling for Australian businesses because you can run it on Australian infrastructure, ensuring compliance with local data sovereignty requirements.

Privacy Verdict

n8n’s self-hosted option is the gold standard for data privacy. If your business handles sensitive data (healthcare records, legal documents, financial information) and needs to keep that data in Australia, n8n is the clear choice.

Community and Support

Make.com

Make.com has a large, active community forum with thousands of tutorials, templates, and community-contributed scenarios. Official documentation is comprehensive, and paid plans include email support with varying response times. The platform also has an academy with structured learning paths.

n8n

n8n has a passionate open-source community with an active forum and Discord server. Community-built nodes extend the platform’s capabilities, and the open nature of the codebase means advanced users can inspect, modify, and contribute to the platform itself. Official documentation is solid, and the cloud plans include technical support.

Community Verdict

Make.com has a larger non-technical community with more beginner-friendly content. n8n has a more technically oriented community that’s excellent for developer-focused questions. Both communities are helpful and active.

Learning Curve

Make.com

Most non-technical users can build their first working scenario within 30-60 minutes. The visual canvas is intuitive, and the module configuration panels guide you through each step. Complex features like routers and error handling take a few hours to master, but the basics are accessible to almost anyone.

n8n

n8n’s learning curve depends heavily on your technical background. Developers often find n8n natural and intuitive, particularly those familiar with Node.js. Non-technical users face a steeper climb — the interface assumes more technical familiarity, and many of n8n’s most powerful features require writing code.

Learning Curve Verdict

Make.com is easier for non-technical users. n8n is more natural for developers. If your team is a mix of technical and non-technical people, Make.com is the safer choice for broader adoption.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Make.com	n8n
Starting price	Free / ~US$10.59/mo	Free (self-hosted) / EUR 24/mo
Self-hosting	No	Yes
Integrations	1,800+	450+
Visual builder	Excellent	Good
Code support	Limited	Full JS/Python
Data privacy	EU/US cloud only	Self-host anywhere
Best for	Non-technical users	Developers, privacy-focused
AI capabilities	OpenAI module + HTTP	Native AI nodes + code
Error handling	Excellent	Good
Community size	Larger	Growing fast

My Recommendation

After building automations on both platforms for dozens of Australian businesses, here’s my straightforward advice:

• Choose Make.com if your team is primarily non-technical, you want the most integrations out of the box, and data sovereignty isn’t a strict requirement. It’s the better all-round platform for most small to mid-sized businesses.
• Choose n8n if you have developers on staff, need to self-host for data privacy, want to run unlimited automations without per-execution pricing, or need deep code integration in your workflows.
• Use both if you have workflows with different requirements. Some of our clients use Make.com for marketing and sales automations (where the visual builder and integrations shine) and n8n for data-sensitive backend processes (where self-hosting and code flexibility matter).

For a broader comparison that includes Zapier, visit our tool comparison resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I migrate workflows between Make.com and n8n?

There’s no direct migration tool between the platforms. Workflows need to be rebuilt manually. However, the logic and structure translate well — a workflow built in Make.com can typically be recreated in n8n (and vice versa) within 30-60 minutes for most scenarios.

Which is better for AI workflows?

n8n has the edge here. Its native AI nodes (LangChain integration, vector store nodes, AI agent nodes) and full code support make it more flexible for AI-powered workflows. Make.com has an OpenAI module and HTTP modules that work well for simpler AI integrations, but complex AI workflows with custom logic are easier in n8n.

Is n8n’s self-hosted version really free?

Yes, for business use under their “Sustainable Use License.” You can run unlimited workflows and executions on your own server at no software cost. Your only costs are server hosting (from about A$10-30/month for a basic VPS) and your time managing the server.

Which platform has better uptime?

Make.com’s cloud service has historically maintained 99.9%+ uptime. n8n Cloud is similarly reliable. Self-hosted n8n’s uptime depends entirely on your infrastructure — which could be better or worse depending on your setup. Most businesses self-hosting on major cloud providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) achieve comparable uptime.

Do I need to choose just one?

No. Many businesses use both platforms for different purposes. Make.com might handle your marketing automation and CRM workflows, while n8n runs your data processing and internal system integrations. The platforms can even communicate with each other via webhooks if needed.

Next Steps

Both platforms offer free tiers — the best way to decide is to try both. Build a simple workflow (like a form-to-email-to-CRM automation) on each platform and see which feels more natural for your team.

If you’d like expert guidance, our team has deep experience with both platforms. Explore our Make.com services or learn about our n8n offerings — we’ll help you choose the right tool and build automations that deliver real results for your business.