Guide · Automation n8n vs Make: Which workflow automation tool fits your business?

What both tools do

n8n and Make automate workflows between applications. A workflow can receive information, process it and pass the result to another system. So do not start your assessment with a feature list. First, describe a process in your business: What triggers it, what data does it need and what should happen at the end? Note which steps require human approval. A specific workflow gives you a basis for judging which tool meets your requirements. If you want to redesign the process more broadly, see our overview of AI automation.

Comparing billing models

Every provider claim in the following table is based on the provider's website as at October 2026. Check the current details directly with the relevant provider. The n8n prices are monthly amounts billed annually. Make prices are not listed here.

According to the provider's website as at October 2026, Make's prices and plans remain unchanged following the renaming of operations to credits. If you use your own connection for a third-party AI app, the provider states as at October 2026 that you pay for tokens directly with the relevant provider. Check these details with the providers before estimating the cost of your workflow.

Our assessment: If a workflow has many small steps, compare the cost per completed run, not just the number of workflows. According to its website as at October 2026, n8n counts a workflow that completes as one execution. According to Make's website as at October 2026, each operation in non-AI apps and the third-party AI apps mentioned above uses one credit. For other AI features, you need to assess fixed and dynamic usage separately. Check the current rules with both providers and calculate costs using your actual workflow.

Operations and data handling

According to its website as at October 2026, the n8n Community Edition is available on GitHub as a self-hosted version. This may be useful if your data protection requirements call for an environment you operate yourself. You will still need to decide who runs the installation and manages access, updates and ongoing monitoring. Self-hosting does not resolve data protection questions on its own. The data entering a workflow and where it is sent also depend on the connected applications. Read more in Self-hosting n8n.

According to the provider's licence text as at October 2026, n8n is licensed under the Sustainable Use License. Version 1.0 permits use for your own internal business purposes or for non-commercial purposes; redistribution is permitted only free of charge and on a non-commercial basis. Files containing “.ee.” are subject to the Enterprise licence. Check the licence with the provider if you plan to use n8n beyond your own internal processes.

For Make, check data locations and data processing arrangements directly with the provider. Whatever tool you choose, first establish which personal or confidential data will be processed and what your organisation requires for contracts, access and documentation. Define these requirements before putting a workflow into production.

AI features

According to its website as at October 2026, n8n includes the AI Agent node, MCP Server Trigger and MCP Client in all plans. Make offers “Make AI Agents”, according to its website as at October 2026. Check current feature details with the providers. The presence of an AI feature does not mean a particular process should run without human oversight.

Give an AI agent a defined, limited task: What information may it read, what actions may it trigger and when must a person make the decision? Also consider how incorrect responses will be identified and handled. Our article on building an AI agent explains the planning involved. If you want to connect systems through MCP, MCP for businesses provides context. For help implementing these workflows, see our AI agents service.

When each tool may or may not fit

Consider n8n more closely if self-hosting is an important requirement or you want to assess workflows with many steps by cost per execution. It may be less suitable if you depend on self-hosting but have no one to take responsibility for it. Assess cloud plans and self-hosting separately. Our article on working with an n8n agency covers implementation considerations.

Consider Make more closely if you want to plan and assess your workflows in terms of operations and credits. It may be less suitable if your data storage or data processing requirements remain unresolved. Check these points with the provider rather than drawing conclusions about operations from the billing model. Read more about implementation on our Make agency page. Neither tool is the right choice for every business.

When a partner can help

Support may be useful when several systems are involved, permissions need to be defined or a workflow needs ongoing maintenance after setup. With AI features, it is also worth distinguishing clearly between automated steps and decisions that remain with people. We work with n8n and Make and help businesses select and implement suitable workflows. We are not a partner or reseller of either provider. We are based in Vienna and work with businesses across Europe.

Decide in three steps

1. Describe the workflow: Choose a specific process. Record its triggers, systems, data, individual steps and intended outcomes. Mark where a person needs to intervene. 2. Check your requirements: Clarify data handling, data processing arrangements, permissions and responsibility for operations. Check plan, feature and licence details directly with the providers. 3. Calculate and test with an example: Estimate how often the workflow will run to completion and how many operations it will use. Run a limited test. Document cost assumptions, potential failures and outstanding operational work before deciding.

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