n8n vs. Make (Integromat): The Comparison 2026
Two powerful automation tools in direct comparison
n8n vs. Make: n8n is the better choice for companies that need self-hosting, GDPR compliance, and maximum flexibility in AI integrations. Make (formerly Integromat) offers powerful visual automation at moderate costs but is only available cloud-based. n8n enables unlimited workflows without operations limits and is free to self-host as open source. As an n8n agency in Munich, we recommend n8n for data-sensitive enterprise projects.
n8n vs. Make: Overview
| Criteria | n8n | Make (Integromat) |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Hosting | Yes (full control) | No (cloud only) |
| GDPR Compliance | 100% (own servers) | EU servers available |
| Pricing Model | Flat-rate / Self-hosted free | Operations-based |
| AI Integration | OpenAI, Claude, Mistral, LLaMA | OpenAI, limited selection |
| Custom Nodes | Yes (unlimited) | Custom apps (limited) |
| Visual Complexity | High | Very high (Router, Iterator) |
| Learning Curve | Moderate | Steep |
| Integrations | 350+ | 1500+ |
1. Self-Hosting and Data Control
- Self-hosting on your own servers possible
- Full control over all data
- Hosting in German data centers
- Docker/Kubernetes support
- Open Source (MIT License)
- Only available cloud-based
- EU data centers as option
- No self-hosting option
- Closed Source
- Dependency on provider
2. Cost and Pricing Models
- Self-Hosted: Free (Open Source)
- n8n Cloud Starter: From €20/month
- n8n Cloud Pro: From €50/month
- Enterprise: Individual
- Unlimited workflow executions
- No hidden operations costs
- Free: 1,000 Ops/month
- Core: From €9/month (10,000 Ops)
- Pro: From €16/month (10,000 Ops)
- Teams: From €29/month (10,000 Ops)
- Enterprise: Individual
- Costs scale with operations
Cost Example: 100,000 Operations/Month
Savings with n8n: approx. €100/month (67%)
3. Visual Workflow Design
- Canvas-based visual editor
- Clear node connections
- Integrated code editor (JavaScript)
- Expression editor for data transformations
- Debugging with step-by-step execution
- Circular modules with connections
- Router for complex branching
- Iterator/Aggregator for arrays
- Detailed data structure view
- Real-time data preview
4. AI Integration
- Native OpenAI GPT-4/GPT-4o integration
- Anthropic Claude integration
- Mistral AI support
- LLaMA/Ollama (self-hosted) possible
- AI agent workflows with tool calling
- RAG systems with vector databases
- Custom LLM nodes creatable
- OpenAI integration
- Anthropic Claude (limited)
- AI tools for text generation
- No self-hosted LLMs
- Less flexibility for AI workflows
5. When Should You Choose n8n?
Data Protection Requirements
When sensitive data must remain on your own servers (GDPR, compliance).
Predictable Costs
No operations limits - ideal for variable or high workflow volumes.
AI-Powered Automation
For complex AI workflows with self-hosted LLMs or multi-provider setups.
Custom Integrations
When you need to develop your own nodes for proprietary systems.
6. When is Make the Better Choice?
- Complex visual scenarios: When you need routers, iterators, and complex branches in a clear UI
- Many SaaS integrations: Make offers 1500+ native integrations with business tools
- No self-hosting desired: When you prefer a fully managed cloud solution
- Low operations volume: With less than 10,000 operations per month, Make is affordable
- Team collaboration: Good features for team collaboration and scenario sharing
Frequently Asked Questions about n8n vs. Make
Which is cheaper: n8n or Make?
n8n is significantly cheaper at high volumes because there are no operations limits. Make charges per operations - at 100,000 ops/month you pay about €150 with Make, about €50 with n8n Cloud. Self-hosted n8n is even free. At low volumes below 10,000 ops, costs are comparable.
What are "operations" at Make?
With Make, each step in a scenario counts as one operation. A workflow with 5 modules that runs 1,000x consumes 5,000 operations. This can quickly lead to high costs with complex scenarios. n8n has no such limits - you pay regardless of workflow complexity.
Can I migrate from Make to n8n?
Yes, migration from Make to n8n is possible. As an n8n agency in Munich, we support you with analyzing your existing scenarios, designing n8n workflows, and gradual migration. Most scenarios can be transferred with comparable functionality.
Which platform has more integrations?
Make offers over 1,500 native integrations, more pre-built connections than n8n (350+). However, n8n enables creation of custom nodes and offers flexible HTTP integration for virtually any API. For special or proprietary systems, n8n is often more flexible.
Is Make or n8n better for beginners?
Make has a steeper learning curve due to its unique visual concept with modules, routers, and iterators. n8n is somewhat more intuitive for developers as it uses more classic programming concepts. For absolute beginners, Zapier is the easiest option, followed by n8n, then Make.
Does Make also offer self-hosting?
No, Make is exclusively available as a cloud service. For self-hosting and full data control, n8n is the only option among leading workflow tools. n8n can be operated on your own servers, in German data centers, or in Kubernetes clusters.
Ready to Switch to n8n?
As a specialized n8n agency in Munich, we support you with migration from Make or new implementation of your automations.