MA
Make
Usage-based Pick Make if:
- › You need visual routers, iterators, and aggregators for multi-branch JSON data mapping
- › You want cost efficiency with pay-per-operation pricing ($9/mo for 10,000 operations)
Make vs n8n
Direct specification & pricing comparison for developers.
N8
n8n
Execution-based Pick n8n if:
- › You want unlimited free automations running privately on your own Docker or Kubernetes server
- › You need first-class LangChain AI Agent nodes with tool calling and vector memory
Why the Difference Matters (Core Differentiators)
SaaS Visual Orchestrator vs. Self-Hosted Workflow Privacy & LangChain Agents
Key architectural, commercial, and workflow trade-offs you encounter in real-world deployment:
01. Deployment & Data Sovereignty
n8n provides a free self-hosted edition running privately on Docker/Kubernetes with zero data leakage. Make is fully hosted in the cloud with no server setup required.
02. AI Agent Architecture
n8n offers first-class AI Agent nodes, memory stores, and LangChain vector database connectors. Make relies on standalone AI modules and webhook integrations.
03. Execution Economics
Make meters every individual module operation ($9/mo for 10k ops). n8n Cloud meters per entire workflow run, making complex multi-step pipelines significantly cheaper on n8n.
⚡
The Decisive Decision Test:
Do you require self-hosted privacy, zero operational costs, and LangChain AI agent workflows (n8n), or a polished cloud visual builder for marketing operations (Make)?
The Diff Matrix (Technical Specifications)
Swipe horizontally → ⚠️
Pricing & License Gotchas
Real-world caveats, hidden quotas, and billing traps to know before swiping your card:
> Make Gotchas
- • Every individual module execution and route iteration counts as 1 billable operation.
- • Free tier restricts scheduled trigger polling intervals to a minimum of 15 minutes.
- • Custom variables and extended data logs require Pro ($16/mo) or Teams ($29/mo) plans.
> n8n Gotchas
- • Self-hosting Community edition requires managing your own Docker container, database, and backups.
- • Community license restricts multi-user enterprise governance, advanced RBAC, and SSO.
- • Cloud Starter tier enforces a 2,500 monthly workflow execution cap.
Ready to deploy these tools on your stack?
Test commercial outputs, API latencies, and quota models directly on official platforms.
Related Comparisons in Workflow AI
Explore alternative stack configurations and pairwise benchmark matrices.