vs 
Make vs n8n: Cloud automation vs self-hosted workflows
Make offers a fully managed cloud platform with over 3,500 integrations and a free tier, making it ideal for teams wanting quick setup. n8n provides an open-source alternative with self-hosting options and strict security controls, better suited for developers who need full infrastructure control. Both platforms support AI agents and visual workflow builders.
Last verified against both official websites on November 2, 2026
Make
Make is an AI automation platform that allows users to build workflows and AI agents using a visual interface, prompting, or AI chat integration. It offers observability, custom code support, and governance features.
Choose Make if you want a managed cloud service with thousands of ready-made integrations and a free plan to get started immediately.
Official site Indie alternatives to Make
n8n
n8n is an open-source AI workflow automation platform that allows users to build, understand, and trust AI agents and workflows. It offers 500+ native integrations, supports any API via HTTP, and enables deployment on-prem or via Docker. Key features include visual workflow building, code integration, human-in-the-loop approvals, version history, and enterprise-grade security features like SSO SAML, LDAP, and RBAC.
Choose n8n if you prefer open-source software that you can deploy on your own servers and require advanced security protocols like LDAP and RBAC.
Official site Indie alternatives to n8n
Make vs n8n pricing
| Make | n8n | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Not listed |
| Free trial | No time limit on free plan | 7 days |
| Plans |
Free
Free
No credit card required
Start-up Plan
Not listed
50% off Business
Enterprise
Not listed
Advanced features, org-wide
|
Not listed on the site |
Prices as shown on each official pricing page when last verified (our servers are in the EU, so some sites show local currency). Check the official site before buying.
Features compared
| Feature | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Visual workflow builder | Yes | Yes |
| AI agent support | Yes | Yes |
| Integration count | 3,500+ | 500+ |
| Self-hosting / On-prem | Not listed | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Custom code support | JavaScript/Python | Yes |
| Human-in-the-loop approvals | Not listed | Yes |
| Security features | SSO, 2FA, governance | SSO SAML, LDAP, RBAC |
| Deployment options | Cloud only | Docker, on-prem |
Core Approach & Deployment
Make operates as a fully managed cloud platform designed for teams, startups, and global enterprises. Users build workflows through a drag-and-drop interface or by using AI chat integration, with all infrastructure handled automatically. Managed cloud simplifies workflow deployment.
n8n is an open-source platform that gives users full control over their deployment environment. Teams can run it on-premises or via Docker, which appeals to organizations with strict data residency requirements. Self-hosting ensures complete data control.
Features & AI Capabilities
Both tools provide visual workflow builders and support AI agents, but they approach automation differently. Make includes over 3,500 app integrations, custom code support in JavaScript or Python, and built-in observability features. Extensive integrations speed up automation.
n8n focuses on developer flexibility with HTTP API connectivity and human-in-the-loop approvals. Some automation engineers use it alongside Make for complex tasks, though community discussions note that dependency management and logic constraints can sometimes complicate the developer experience. Developer flexibility requires technical oversight.
Pricing & Value
Make provides a free plan that includes 1,000 monthly credits, 1 MB of data storage, and one data store without requiring a credit card. Paid tiers like the Start-up and Enterprise plans are available but require custom quotes, so exact monthly costs aren't listed on their site. Free tier allows risk-free testing.
n8n does not offer a permanent free plan, but it provides a seven-day trial for new users. Since the platform is open-source, organizations can avoid subscription fees by managing their own infrastructure, though hosting costs will vary based on your server requirements. Open source removes subscription fees.
What users say
Summarized from public Hacker News discussions; links go to the original comments.
Indie alternatives to Make and n8n
Smaller tools built by independent makers that cover part of what these two do, often for less.
Deforge
Canva for AI Agents
Make users looking for AI-specific workflows can use Deforge's 'Chat to Build' feature to generate agent logic visually, offering a more specialized AI agent builder than Make's general automation nodes.
See website for pricing
OpenMolt
Let your code create and manage AI Agents (OpenSource)
Users of n8n who prefer a code-first approach in Node.js over a visual workflow builder might choose OpenMolt to build agents directly within their application codebase rather than managing external workflow instances.
MIT License
Robomotion
AI-powered automation builder that works with or without APIs
Like Make, Robomotion allows users to build complex workflows and agents, but distinguishes itself by supporting local execution and handling non-API tasks through UI automation, making it a viable alternative for users needing broader system access.
See website for pricing
Flowdrop
Clone Yourself. Vibe Build Agents and Put Them In Workflows
Flowdrop offers a visual workflow builder with AI generation capabilities that compete with Make's complex node-based automation for users seeking faster setup.
Spark plan is $0/mo with 100 credits. Solo plan is $9/mo. Builder plan is $49/mo (discounted to $9/mo for annual).
AI-Flow
Build AI Workflows with Drag & Drop
Make users building AI-heavy workflows may prefer AI-Flow's specialized interface for connecting diverse AI models (video, image, text) directly without configuring complex HTTP requests or API integrations manually.
Free tier with 25 welcome credits and 20 free runs/day for BYOK nodes. Platform credits available for non-BYOK usage.
Jabrod
AI engineering for teams shipping to production.
Users of n8n for AI automation may switch to Jabrod for a more specialized, dedicated interface focused specifically on building and managing RAG pipelines and LLM agents rather than general workflow automation.
Free tier available with 1 pipeline and 100 queries/day. Pro plan is $15/mo flat fee for 10 pipelines and 10,000 queries/day.
Flowripple
Easily Trigger workflows from your SaaS
Make is a generic automation platform that can become complex and expensive for high-volume backend triggers; Flowripple is purpose-built for SaaS backend automation with a simpler, code-centric approach.
See website for pricing
Sheets to JSON
A Google Sheets™ to JSON converter
Similar to Zapier, users looking for a simpler, cheaper alternative to build automation flows just for converting sheet data to JSON can use this dedicated tool.
One-time payment of $7 includes all future updates and improvements.
Instruct
Automate anything with a single prompt
Users of Make for complex multi-step automation can switch to Instruct for a simpler, prompt-based interface to connect apps and execute recurring workflows.
See website for pricing
More comparisons
FAQ
Does Make have a free plan?
Yes, Make offers a free plan with 1,000 monthly credits, 1 MB of data storage, and one data store.
Is n8n cheaper than Make?
n8n does not list a permanent free plan, but it offers a seven-day trial. Make includes a free tier, while n8n's open-source nature allows organizations to host it themselves to avoid subscription costs.
Can I self-host n8n?
Yes, n8n supports on-premises and Docker deployment, giving teams full control over their infrastructure.
Does Make support custom code?
Yes, Make allows custom code execution in JavaScript and Python within workflows.