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Make vs n8n compares two automation platforms. Make chains modules on a visual canvas and builds scenarios with its Maia assistant. By contrast, n8n links nodes, code and AI agents, and you can run it free on your own server.
Our reviews, for example, score Make 3.5 and n8n 3.4. So the choice depends on the job and how much you care about data terms.
Make vs n8n: The Short Answer
Choose Make, first, on our scores: it scores 3.5 against 3.4 and fits visual control at a low cost per run.
Choose n8n, however, if you want self-hosting and per-run pricing; its entry paid plan is Starter 20 euros a month yearly.
Head to Head
| Criterion | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Visual control at a low cost per run | Self-hosting and per-run pricing |
| Works in | Cloud only | Self-hosted or cloud |
| Free plan | 1,000 credits a month | Free self-hosted |
| Entry paid plan | Core about $9 to $12 a month yearly | Starter 20 euros a month yearly |
| Billing | Credits per module action | Executions per run |
| Training on your data | No (Maia system card) | Self-host: yours; cloud unstated |
| Our score | 3.5 | 3.4 |
What Each Does
To begin with, Make chains modules on a visual canvas and builds scenarios with its Maia assistant. As a result, it suits you if you want visual control at a low cost per run.
In contrast, n8n links nodes, code and AI agents, and you can run it free on your own server. It suits you if you want self-hosting and per-run pricing.
Prices and Billing
Make starts with 1,000 credits a month and two active scenarios, and its entry paid plan is Core about $9 to $12 a month yearly. n8n, meanwhile, starts with a free self-hosted Community Edition with unlimited executions, with Starter 20 euros a month yearly as its entry paid plan.
Billing also works differently. Make uses credits, one per module action.
n8n, however, uses executions, one per workflow run. Our list of the best AI for productivity compares more options.
Data and Training
On training, for Make, its Maia system card says Make does not train the models on customer data. For n8n, by contrast, self-hosting keeps data on your servers, while cloud training terms are unstated.
Therefore, keep regulated data out of AI steps until terms are clear. Our guide to which AI tools train on your data compares more tools.
Reliability and Safety
Make’s loops use a credit per item per module, so costs can jump on large data sets. Running n8n on your own server means you handle updates, backups and security.
Automations act on real accounts, so test with sample data, add approval steps for sensitive actions, and give connections the least access they need.
Our guide to reducing AI hallucinations also covers the checklist, and our list of the best AI for business ranks more tools.
Winners by Category
In short, Make wins for visual control at a low cost per run. The other tool, by contrast, wins for self-hosting and per-run pricing.
Overall, in Make vs n8n our scores favor Make, 3.5 against 3.4.
Which One to Choose
Therefore, take Make if you want visual control at a low cost per run. Otherwise, the other tool may fit better.
Our pages on reducing AI subscription costs and setting up local AI, in addition, cover other options.
Whichever you pick, our guides to building a personal AI workflow and combining AI tools also help.
Other pairings are covered in our Zapier vs Make and Zapier vs n8n comparisons.
How We Research
This Make vs n8n comparison reuses the sources behind our reviews of each tool, read between July and October 4, 2026, including Make’s Maia system card.
However, we run no tests of our own. Our about page explains the criteria, and our list of the best AI tools for developers covers more tools.
Make vs n8n FAQ
Our scores favor Make, 3.5 against 3.4.
Entry paid plans are Core about $9 to $12 a month yearly and Starter 20 euros a month yearly, in that order.
For Make, its Maia system card says Make does not train the models on customer data. For n8n, self-hosting keeps data on your servers, while cloud training terms are unstated.
n8n can run on your own server; the other is cloud only.
Yes; some teams run simple jobs in one and heavy workflows in the other.
The Verdict
Overall, Make vs n8n favors Make on our scores. The other, however, still wins for its own kind of job.
So pick by the job, check the output, and also keep sensitive material out of lower plans.