Make and n8n are both visual, canvas-based automation platforms capable of complex multi-step workflows. On the surface, they look similar. The reason to choose one over the other comes down to a single question: does your data need to stay on your servers?
If the answer is yes — for regulatory, compliance, or data sovereignty reasons — n8n self-hosted is the right answer. For every other situation, the comparison is closer than it sounds.
What are Make and n8n?
Make (formerly Integromat) is a cloud-hosted automation platform. Your workflows run on Make’s infrastructure, your data passes through Make’s servers, and Make handles all the maintenance, uptime, and updates.
n8n is an open-source automation platform with two deployment options: n8n.cloud (hosted by n8n, similar model to Make) or self-hosted (you run n8n on your own server or cloud infrastructure — AWS, Google Cloud, a VPS, your own machine).
The self-hosted option is what makes n8n genuinely different. When you self-host n8n, your automation data never leaves your environment.
Interface and usability
Both platforms use a visual canvas where workflows are built by connecting nodes (modules in Make, nodes in n8n).
Make’s canvas is polished, with clean module icons, color-coded data mapping, and a well-documented interface. The learning curve for a non-technical user is 2-4 hours to become functional.
n8n’s canvas is similar in concept but feels more developer-oriented. The node library is extensive, and the JavaScript expression editor gives developers full control over data transformation. For non-developers, the expression syntax is steeper than Make’s point-and-click mapping.
| Interface dimension | Make | n8n (cloud) | n8n (self-hosted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning curve | Moderate | Moderate-steep | Steep (includes infra setup) |
| Visual workflow design | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Data mapping | Point-and-click | Expression-based | Expression-based |
| Custom code (JavaScript) | Limited | Yes — full JS nodes | Yes — full JS nodes |
| Documentation quality | Excellent | Good | Good (community-driven) |
Pricing comparison
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Make Free | $0 | 1,000 operations/month |
| Make Core | $9/month | 10,000 operations |
| Make Pro | $16/month | 10,000 operations + faster |
| Make Teams | $29/month | 40,000 operations |
| n8n Cloud Starter | $20/month | 2,500 executions |
| n8n Cloud Pro | $50/month | 10,000 executions |
| n8n Self-Hosted | $0 software + ~$10-50/month server | Free software; you pay for infra |
For businesses choosing between Make Core ($9/month) and n8n Cloud ($20/month), Make is cheaper for equivalent usage. For businesses willing to self-host n8n, the software cost is zero — but the infrastructure and maintenance overhead has a real cost in developer time.
True cost of n8n self-hosted:
- VPS server: $10-20/month
- Initial setup: 4-8 hours of developer time
- Ongoing maintenance (updates, monitoring, backups): 1-2 hours/month
- At $75/hour developer time: $300+ initial + $75-150/month ongoing
For businesses without in-house technical capacity, n8n self-hosted is often more expensive in practice than Make’s paid tiers.
Capability comparison
Both platforms handle the full range of small business automation needs — triggers, actions, conditional logic, loops, data transformation, webhooks, and API calls. The differences are at the edges.
Where n8n has the advantage:
- Custom JavaScript nodes: Full JavaScript execution within workflow nodes. You can write arbitrary code, import libraries, and handle complex data transformations that no pre-built module covers.
- Self-hosting: Complete data sovereignty. Nothing leaves your environment.
- Open source: The source code is auditable and modifiable. For compliance-sensitive environments, this is significant.
Where Make has the advantage:
- Pre-built integrations: 1,400+ app connectors versus n8n’s 400+. For apps without custom APIs, Make’s library covers more ground.
- Managed infrastructure: No server maintenance, automatic updates, built-in redundancy.
- Support: Paid support options and an extensive official documentation library.
- Non-technical usability: The interface is more accessible to non-developers for complex data mapping.
Who should use n8n?
Healthcare providers (PHIPA/HIPAA compliance)
Patient data processed by an automation workflow may require data residency within Canada or within a HIPAA-compliant environment. n8n self-hosted on Canadian infrastructure keeps all data processing within the controlled environment. Make processes data on US-based servers, which creates cross-border data transfer considerations under PHIPA.
Legal firms with strict confidentiality obligations
Client matter data, privileged communications, and case documents processed through automation workflows may be subject to solicitor-client privilege considerations that argue for keeping data processing in-house.
Financial services firms under Canadian regulatory requirements
FINTRAC and OSFI requirements for certain financial data types may create data handling obligations that favour self-hosted processing.
Businesses with significant development resources
If you have developers on staff who are comfortable with JavaScript and server infrastructure, n8n’s flexibility advantage is fully accessible. The custom code nodes unlock automation possibilities that no pre-built module can match.
Who should use Make?
Most small businesses (10-50 people without compliance-driven data requirements)
Make’s combination of capability, cost, ease of use, and managed infrastructure is the right fit for the vast majority of small business automation needs. The compliance edge cases that justify n8n self-hosted don’t apply to most businesses.
Businesses without technical staff
Managing n8n self-hosted without someone who can handle server maintenance creates ongoing operational risk. Make requires no infrastructure management.
Teams moving fast
Make’s implementation speed — no server setup, better pre-built integrations, more intuitive interface — gets automations live faster. For businesses where implementation speed matters, Make is the practical choice.
The hybrid approach
Some businesses use both:
- Make for external-facing workflows involving third-party app integrations (CRM, email platforms, Slack)
- n8n self-hosted for internal workflows that process sensitive data (patient records, client documents, financial transactions)
This approach is more complex to maintain but allows each tool to be used where it genuinely excels.
The decision
Use Make if: You need managed infrastructure, broad app integrations, and a non-technical-friendly interface — and your data doesn’t have compliance-driven residency requirements.
Use n8n self-hosted if: Data must stay on your servers due to regulatory requirements, you have developer capacity to manage self-hosted infrastructure, or you need custom JavaScript execution that Make’s modules can’t provide.
Use n8n cloud if: You want n8n’s developer flexibility without self-hosting overhead, and price is the primary driver over Make’s cloud offering. For a detailed breakdown of n8n’s features and pricing, see our full n8n review for small business.
For related reading, see our comparison of Make vs Zapier and our guide on What Is No-Code AI? How Business Owners Are Building Automations Without Developers.
Book a free automation audit and we’ll evaluate your specific compliance requirements, technical capacity, and automation scope — and recommend the right platform for your environment.