Workflow automation · DECISION GUIDE
n8n vs Make: choose your first automation
Start with one handoff between apps. Compare hosting, usage units, and recovery from errors before expanding to a workflow that publishes or spends money.
Documentation-based editorial guidance. We have not run a hands-on comparison. Price and trial pages rechecked September 19, 2026; individual profile source dates are listed below.
Start with n8n if…
Consider n8n if a choice between managed Cloud and self-hosting matters to your setup, or if you want to evaluate custom app and API handoffs. Self-hosting brings maintenance work.
Full profile & sources →Start with Make if…
Consider Make if a hosted visual scenario builder fits your first app-to-app workflow. Plan the whole scenario's credit usage and check its scheduling interval.
Full profile & sources →The practical differences
Prices keep their original currencies and billing terms. Usage units are not directly comparable.
Swipe the table to see both tools →
| Your decision | n8n | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Best starting point | Custom handoffs between apps and APIs | Visual app-to-app automation scenarios |
| Starting price | €20 / month | Free + paid plans |
| Price conditions | Cloud Starter equivalent, billed annually; 2,500 executions. | Choose a credit allowance and billing interval. |
| Free access | A Cloud trial and a separate self-hosted Community Edition are available. | Free includes up to 1,000 credits per month and a 15-minute minimum schedule interval. |
| Usage unit | Cloud plans count workflow executions. | Credits; module actions consume credits under the applicable rules. |
| Hosting | Cloud or self-hosted | Hosted automation service |
| Check before paying | Self-hosting needs maintenance. Connected services can have separate charges and permissions. | Estimate credit usage across the whole scenario. Check connected app charges separately. |
MAKE IT YOUR DECISION
Three questions before you choose
Who will maintain the system?
n8n offers Cloud and a separate self-hosted Community Edition. Make is a hosted service. Treat hosting, updates, and monitoring as part of the decision, not just subscription price.
What does one successful run consume?
n8n Cloud counts workflow executions, while Make uses credits under its module rules. The units are not interchangeable. Use the same small workflow to estimate total usage, including retries.
How will you handle delays or failures?
Make's free plan lists a 15-minute minimum scheduled interval. For either tool, verify the trigger and plan you need, test an error case, and keep a review step before public posting.
TRY A SMALL TASK
A test you can repeat.
This is a suggested evaluation plan, not a test we have performed.
Read the practical guide →- Use test data to move one approved draft between two apps.
- Add a unique record identifier so a retry does not create a duplicate.
- Pause one connected service and check the error log and recovery behavior.
- Estimate monthly usage and separate app charges before enabling a schedule.
Sources & next steps
- n8n: Pricing, trial, and hosting ↗, Execution management ↗ (profile sources checked 2026-09-17)
- Make: Plans, credits, and scheduling ↗ (profile sources checked 2026-09-17)
No affiliate links or paid placement. Check the vendor’s current offer before purchasing.