The self-hosted version of n8n is free under the Sustainable Use License. Your only cost is the infrastructure to run it.

How hard is it to self-host n8n?

If you're comfortable with Docker and basic server management, expect 30 minutes to 2 hours for the initial setup.

Can n8n handle the same volume as Make?

Yes, and often more — because self-hosted n8n only depends on your hardware.

Which has better AI integrations?

n8n has the edge for advanced AI workflows with native LangChain integration. Make is catching up fast and is friendlier for non-developers.

Is n8n GDPR compliant for EU companies?

Self-hosted n8n is the most GDPR-friendly option since your data never leaves your infrastructure.

Make.com vs n8n: Choosing the Right Automation Platform

TL;DR

Choose Make if you want a managed cloud service with zero infrastructure headache.
Choose n8n if you want full control, self-hosting, or are willing to trade convenience for cost at very high volume.

The fundamental difference

Make is fully managed SaaS. n8n is open-source software you can self-host (or use their cloud version). This single difference drives every other comparison.

Pricing reality check

Make's pricing is operations-based. n8n cloud has execution-based pricing similar to Make. But self-hosted n8n is free — your only cost is the infrastructure you run it on.

For high-volume use cases (100k+ operations/month), self-hosted n8n on a $20/month VPS can be 10-50x cheaper than Make.

Feature parity

Both platforms support visual workflow building, 400+ app integrations, branching, loops, error handling, webhooks, schedulers, triggers, and code nodes for custom logic.

n8n leans more developer-friendly with native JavaScript and Python execution. Make's no-code is more polished for non-developers.

When Make wins

You don't want to manage infrastructure
You need enterprise support
Your team isn't technical
You value polished UX over flexibility

When n8n wins

High volume (cost matters at scale)
Compliance requires self-hosting
You have engineers comfortable with Docker
You want to fork or customize the platform

Our recommendation

For most businesses under 50k operations/month, Make.com is the smarter choice — you save engineering time. Beyond that, do the math on n8n self-hosted.