n8n vs Make.com — Comprehensive Comparison Guide 2026
Choosing the right workflow automation platform can make or break your automation strategy. This comprehensive guide compares n8n and Make.com across features, pricing (verified on official pages on January 14, 2026), pros/cons, and practical use cases to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Verdict
- Choose n8n if you want open-source/self-hosting options, per-execution pricing, and advanced extensibility.
- Choose Make.com if you prefer a plug-and-play hosted platform with simpler entry experience and fine-grained step-credit billing.
Platform Overview
n8n
n8n is an open-source automation platform that can be self-hosted (Community Edition) or used as a managed cloud service (n8n Cloud). It focuses on execution-based pricing with unlimited users and workflows on cloud plans, making it ideal for technical teams that need flexibility and control.
Make.com (formerly Integromat)
Make.com is a fully hosted, visual automation platform that uses a credit-based pricing model where each step/action consumes credits. It offers a polished visual builder with extensive templates and is designed for non-technical teams who prioritize convenience and ease of use.
Feature Comparison
| Category | n8n | Make.com |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Open-source + Cloud | Hosted SaaS |
| Billing model | Per workflow execution (cloud); self-host free | Per credit (each step/action) |
| Self-hosting | ✓ Yes (Community Edition) | ✗ No (hosted only) |
| Visual editor | Node-based visual editor with function nodes | Visual scenario builder, very polished |
| Integrations | 500+ (growing), custom nodes | Large marketplace of apps, many built-in connectors |
| Extensibility | Write custom nodes, JS function nodes, plugins | Webhooks, custom apps via HTTP/SDK; less low-level control |
| Team features | Collaboration on Cloud, role controls on higher plans | Team plans, collaboration built-in |
| Triggers | Webhooks, polling, schedule, app triggers | Webhooks, schedule, many native triggers |
| Error handling | Advanced (try/catch, custom logic) | Good UI-driven error handling and retries |
| Best for | Dev teams, heavy/custom automations | Non-technical teams, quick automations |
Pricing Comparison (Updated January 14, 2026)
Important note: Pricing structures vary by currency, billing period (monthly vs yearly), and promotional discounts. The figures below were verified on official pricing pages on January 14, 2026. Always verify current prices on vendor websites before purchasing.
n8n Pricing (Cloud & Self-Host)
| Plan | Price (annual billing) | Monthly Executions | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community (self-hosted) | Free | Unlimited | Self-hosted, no SLA (GitHub) |
| Starter | €20/month (billed annually) |
2,500 executions | Hosted by n8n.cloud — unlimited users & workflows |
| Pro | €50/month (billed annually) |
10,000 executions | Increased concurrency, history, admin roles |
| Business | €667/month (billed annually) |
40,000 executions | SSO, environments, 30 days insights; scaling options |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Dedicated SLA, log streaming, extended retention |
Source: n8n.io/pricing — prices verified 2026-01-14
Make.com Pricing (Credit Model)
| Plan | Price (monthly) | Monthly Credits | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/month | 1,000 credits | Limited active scenarios; good for testing |
| Core | $9/month | 10,000 credits | Unlimited active scenarios; down-to-minute scheduling |
| Pro | $16/month | 10,000 credits | Priority execution, custom variables, log search |
| Teams | $29/month | 10,000 credits | Team roles, templates, collaboration features |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | 24/7 support, enterprise integrations, overage protection |
Source: make.com/en/pricing — prices verified 2026-01-14. Make bills by "credits" where each module/action consumes credits; complex steps or AI modules may consume multiple credits.
Understanding the Pricing Models
Key Difference in Cost Calculation
- n8n: A workflow with many internal steps still counts as 1 execution per run — complexity doesn't multiply cost directly.
- Make.com: The same workflow's cost rises with the number of steps because each step consumes credits.
Pros & Cons
n8n
Pros
- Open-source and self-hostable — full data control and ownership
- Predictable per-execution pricing — ideal for complex workflows
- High extensibility: JS function nodes, custom nodes, plugins
- Unlimited users/workflows on cloud plans
- Community-driven development with active GitHub community
Cons
- Self-hosting requires ops skills — backup, scale, updates
- Hosted plans may be expensive for very low-volume users
- Less beginner-friendly compared to some hosted SaaS options
- Smaller integration marketplace (though growing rapidly)
Make.com
Pros
- Very polished visual editor and extensive templates — quick onboarding
- Managed SaaS: no infrastructure to run or maintain
- Large integration marketplace with many native connectors
- Excellent for straightforward automations and rapid prototyping
- Built-in collaboration features on all paid plans
Cons
- Per-step credit billing can become expensive for complex flows
- No self-hosting option — data always passes through Make
- Less control over advanced logic compared to writing JS in n8n
- Credit consumption can be unpredictable with AI/complex modules
When to Choose Which Platform
Pick n8n if:
- You need self-hosting or must keep data on your infrastructure
- You run complex, multi-step workflows frequently and want predictable per-execution pricing
- You want full control and custom code inside workflows
- You have technical team that can manage infrastructure (for self-hosted)
- You need open-source flexibility and community support
Pick Make.com if:
- You prefer a managed platform with zero ops burden and fast onboarding
- Your automations are relatively simple (few steps) and you want a polished UI
- You value the convenience of built-in connectors and managed scaling
- You have non-technical team members who need to build automations
- You want extensive templates and rapid prototyping capabilities
Practical Cost Evaluation Checklist
- Inventory typical workflows: Calculate runs/day × steps per run
- For n8n: Estimate monthly executions = runs/day × 30
- For Make: Estimate credit usage = runs/day × steps per run × 30 (adjust for multi-credit steps)
- Compare allowances: Check monthly plan limits and overage/upgrade costs
- Factor infrastructure: For self-hosting n8n, include VMs, backups, monitoring costs vs Make's subscription
Security & Compliance
n8n Self-Hosting
You control the entire environment and can implement company-specific security policies, but you're fully responsible for security, compliance, and maintenance.
n8n Cloud / Make.com
Both provide managed security with enterprise-grade infrastructure. For sensitive data, review each provider's compliance documentation (SOC2, GDPR support, data residency options) before making a decision.
Sample Use Cases & Recommendations
| Use Case | Recommended Platform | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| High-volume data pipelines | n8n | Predictable per-execution pricing, better for complex workflows |
| Custom integrations | n8n | Full code control, custom nodes, JS function nodes |
| Marketing automations | Make.com | Polished UI, templates, native connectors for marketing tools |
| Simple CRM syncs | Make.com | Quick setup, built-in CRM connectors, visual builder |
| Rapid prototyping | Make.com | Extensive templates, fast onboarding, managed infrastructure |
| Complex orchestration | n8n | Advanced error handling, custom logic, self-hosting options |
| Strict data sovereignty | n8n (self-hosted) | Full control over data location and security |
| Non-technical team | Make.com | User-friendly interface, no coding required, extensive documentation |
Final Thoughts
Both n8n and Make.com are excellent automation platforms, but they serve different needs:
- n8n is the go-to choice for technical teams that need flexibility, control, and predictable pricing for complex workflows.
- Make.com excels when you need a polished, managed solution with minimal setup time and extensive pre-built integrations.
The "right" choice depends on your team's technical capabilities, workflow complexity, volume requirements, and data sovereignty needs. Start with a free tier of each platform and run a pilot project to see which fits your workflow best.
Sources & Verification
Prices and plan details were verified against official pricing pages on January 14, 2026. Always confirm current prices at:
- n8n: n8n.io/pricing
- Make: make.com/en/pricing