Make vs n8n: Hosted Automation or Open-Source?
Both use a similar node/canvas-based builder, but the real choice is about ownership: Make is a fully hosted, polished SaaS; n8n is open-source at its core, free to self-host, with paid Cloud plans as the alternative. Here's how they compare.
Pricing side by side
| Tier | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/month (1,000 operations, 2 active scenarios) | Free self-hosted (Community Edition, unlimited); Cloud free trial only (1,000 executions) |
| Entry paid tier | Core — from $12/month (10,000 operations) | Starter — from €20/month, billed annually (2,500 executions) |
| Mid tier | Pro — from $21/month (priority execution) | Pro — from €50/month, billed annually (10,000 executions) |
| Higher tier | Teams — from $38/month / Enterprise custom | Business — from €667/month, billed annually (SSO, self-hosting option) / Enterprise custom |
Make's figures verified in USD; n8n's Cloud figures verified in EUR — both directly on the vendors' official pricing pages, September 2026. This is the core structural difference between them: Make has no free self-hosting option (its Free plan is a limited hosted tier), while n8n's Community Edition can be self-hosted for free with no operations cap beyond your own server's capacity. Neither vendor's entry Cloud tier publishes an exact non-annual monthly rate with full clarity — confirm current terms directly before subscribing.
Go with one over the other if...
Go with Make if...
- You want a fully hosted tool with no infrastructure to manage, ever
- USD pricing and a polished, mature interface matter to you
- You don't need — or want — the option to self-host later
Go with n8n if...
- You want the option to self-host for free, now or later, with full data control
- You're comfortable writing occasional JavaScript/Python for edge cases
- Open-source — not being locked into one vendor's roadmap — matters to you
Where the real difference shows up
Make and n8n both use a visual, node-based canvas that's more flexible than Zapier's linear steps — branching, routing, and looping are native to both. Where they split is ownership and cost model: Make is Make's own hosted infrastructure only, billed in USD by operations; n8n's core is open-source, so the same automation engine that powers its paid Cloud plans can run for free on your own server indefinitely, with no per-operation ceiling beyond what your hardware can handle.
That flexibility comes with a real tradeoff. Self-hosting n8n means you're responsible for updates, uptime, and security patches yourself — there's no vendor SLA unless you pay for Cloud or Enterprise. Make carries none of that operational weight, but you're renting the platform for as long as you use it, with no free equivalent to fall back on.
Frequently asked questions
Is n8n actually free?
Yes, if you self-host the Community Edition — it's open-source with no forced payment. n8n Cloud (the hosted option) is paid, same as Make's paid plans.
Which has the more powerful builder?
Both support branching and conditional logic on a visual canvas. n8n adds native JavaScript/Python code nodes for edge cases that neither tool's pre-built modules cover; Make's routers and iterators cover most common branching and looping needs without any code.
Which is better for a non-technical user?
Make, generally — it's fully hosted with no infrastructure decisions to make, and its interface is more polished for someone who doesn't want to touch code or a server at any point.
Our take
The decision here isn't really about features — both handle genuine branching logic well. It's about whether you want a vendor to run everything for you (Make) or the option to run it yourself for free and never be locked in (n8n). Full detail in our Make review and n8n review.
Sources: pricing cross-checked against our own Make review and n8n review, each verified directly on the vendor's official pricing page in September 2026 (make.com/en/pricing and n8n.io/pricing).