Make.com vs n8n 2026: Cloud vs Self-Hosted Automation Compared

Make.com vs n8n: Quick Summary

Make.com is a fully managed cloud platform — sign up and automate in minutes with no infrastructure to manage. n8n is open-source and self-hostable — free if you run it yourself, but requires technical setup. For most people and businesses, Make.com is the better choice. For developers who prioritise data privacy and want unlimited workflows at zero cost, n8n is compelling.

Head-to-Head Comparison

When n8n Is the Better Choice

Data privacy requirements: If your workflows handle sensitive data (medical records, financial data, GDPR-sensitive information), self-hosting n8n means your data never leaves your servers.

Unlimited automation for free: n8n's self-hosted version is completely free with no execution limits. For developers and teams with the infrastructure to run it, this is exceptional value.

You need code: n8n allows full JavaScript execution within workflows, making it far more flexible for complex data transformations that require actual programming logic.

When Make.com Is the Better Choice

You're not technical: Make.com requires zero infrastructure knowledge. Create an account and you're automating in minutes. n8n's self-hosted setup requires Docker knowledge, server management, and ongoing maintenance.

You need broad integrations: Make.com's 1,500+ native integrations cover far more apps than n8n's 400+. If your stack includes niche SaaS tools, Make.com is more likely to have a native connector.

You want reliability without ops: Make.com handles uptime, scaling, updates, and error recovery. Self-hosted n8n puts that responsibility on you.

The Verdict

For the vast majority of businesses, Make.com is the practical choice: easier, faster, and with better integrations at a low monthly cost. n8n is excellent for developers and organisations with specific data privacy needs who have the technical capacity to manage their own infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is n8n cheaper than Make.com?

Self-hosted n8n is free to run (you only pay for your own server), while Make.com starts at $10.59/month. However, n8n's cloud-hosted plan and the engineering time to maintain a self-hosted instance often offset that "free" advantage for non-technical teams.

Is n8n harder to use than Make.com?

Yes, generally. n8n requires more technical comfort, especially if self-hosting — you're responsible for updates, scaling, and uptime. Make.com is a managed cloud platform with a gentler learning curve.

Which is better for data privacy, Make.com or n8n?

n8n, if self-hosted. Since your data never leaves your own infrastructure, self-hosted n8n is the stronger choice for organizations with strict data residency or compliance requirements.

Can I switch between Make.com and n8n later?

Workflow logic transfers conceptually (trigger, action, conditional branching) but each platform uses a different workflow format, so migrating requires manually rebuilding automations rather than a direct import.

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