n8n vs Zapier vs Make: Which Automation Platform is Right for You?
An in-depth comparison of the three leading automation platforms, covering pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases to help you make the right choice for your business.
The Automation Platform Landscape
Choosing the right automation platform can make or break your workflow efficiency. Whether you're a small startup looking to automate basic tasks or an enterprise building complex, mission-critical integrations, the platform you choose will shape how you work for years to come.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll compare three leading platforms—n8n, Zapier, and Make (formerly Integromat)—across key dimensions including pricing, features, ease of use, and scalability. By the end, you'll know exactly which platform fits your needs.
Quick Comparison Overview
| Feature | n8n | Zapier | Make |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (self-hosted) $20/mo (cloud) | $19.99/mo | Free tier $9/mo (paid) |
| Best For | Technical teams, cost-conscious, complex workflows | Non-technical users, quick setup, standard integrations | Visual builders, complex logic, budget-friendly |
| Ease of Use | Moderate (requires some technical knowledge) | Very Easy (most user-friendly) | Moderate (visual but complex) |
| Integrations | 400+ (growing) | 6,000+ | 1,500+ |
| Data Control | Full (self-hosted option) | Cloud-only | Cloud-only |
| Code/Custom Logic | Excellent (JavaScript support) | Limited (JavaScript & Python) | Good (functions available) |
Platform Deep Dive: n8n
n8n (pronounced "n-eight-n") is the rising star in the automation space, offering powerful features with unprecedented flexibility. It's the only platform that gives you the option to self-host, giving you complete control over your data and workflows.
Pros
- Cost-Effective: Self-hosted version is completely free with unlimited workflows and executions
- Data Privacy: Self-hosting means your sensitive data never leaves your infrastructure
- Customization: Open-source nature allows custom nodes and deep customization
- No Vendor Lock-in: Export your workflows and move them anywhere
- Advanced Features: Built-in code editor, error workflows, and complex branching logic
Cons
- Steeper Learning Curve: Requires more technical knowledge than Zapier
- Fewer Pre-built Integrations: 400+ nodes vs Zapier's 6,000+ apps
- Self-Hosting Overhead: Requires server management if you choose self-hosted option
Pricing
- Self-Hosted: Free forever (unlimited workflows & executions)
- Cloud Starter: $20/month (includes 2,500 workflow executions)
- Cloud Pro: $50/month (includes 10,000 executions)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing with SLA, dedicated support, SSO
Platform Deep Dive: Zapier
Zapier is the household name in automation, and for good reason. With the largest ecosystem of integrations and the most user-friendly interface, it's the go-to choice for teams that want to get started quickly without technical expertise.
Pros
- Easiest to Learn: Intuitive interface that anyone can pick up in minutes
- Largest Integration Library: 6,000+ apps means you'll find what you need
- Excellent Documentation: Comprehensive guides and community support
- Reliable & Mature: Years of refinement mean fewer bugs and better uptime
- Great for Teams: Excellent collaboration features and admin controls
Cons
- Most Expensive: Costs can escalate quickly for high-volume workflows
- Limited Customization: Locked into their platform with no self-hosting option
- Task-Based Pricing: Every action counts as a task, costs add up fast
- Complex Workflows Get Expensive: Multi-step Zaps consume tasks quickly
Pricing
- Free: 100 tasks/month (5 Zaps, single-step workflows only)
- Starter: $19.99/month (750 tasks, multi-step Zaps)
- Professional: $49/month (2,000 tasks, unlimited Zaps, filters)
- Team: $299/month (50,000 tasks, shared workspaces, admin controls)
- Company: $599/month (100,000 tasks, advanced admin, SLA)
Note: Every action in a workflow counts as a task. A 5-step Zap that runs 100 times = 500 tasks.
Platform Deep Dive: Make
Make (formerly Integromat) positions itself between n8n and Zapier—more powerful than Zapier's simple interface, but more accessible than n8n. Its standout feature is the visual scenario builder that makes complex workflows easier to understand.
Pros
- Visual Workflow Builder: Drag-and-drop interface with visual branching is excellent for complex logic
- Better Pricing Model: Operations-based pricing is more cost-effective than task-based
- Advanced Features: Built-in data manipulation, arrays, error handling
- Generous Free Tier: 1,000 operations/month on free plan
- Good Integration Coverage: 1,500+ apps covers most business needs
Cons
- Steeper Learning Curve: Visual builder is powerful but takes time to master
- Smaller Community: Fewer tutorials and community resources than Zapier
- Cloud-Only: No self-hosting option unlike n8n
- Interface Complexity: Can feel overwhelming for beginners
Pricing
- Free: 1,000 operations/month (2 active scenarios)
- Core: $9/month (10,000 operations, unlimited scenarios)
- Pro: $16/month (10,000 operations + advanced features)
- Teams: $29/month (10,000 operations, team collaboration)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Operations are more generous than tasks—reading a record counts as 1 operation, not consuming quota for each field.
Real-World Use Cases: Which to Choose?
You have technical resources: Your team includes developers or technical staff who can manage workflows and troubleshoot issues.
Data privacy is critical: You handle sensitive data (healthcare, finance) and need on-premise hosting for compliance.
You want cost control: Self-hosting eliminates ongoing subscription costs for high-volume workflows.
Custom integrations matter: You need to integrate with proprietary systems or build custom nodes.
Best for: Technical teams, enterprises with compliance requirements, high-volume automation
Ease of use is paramount: Your team is non-technical and needs to build automation without developer support.
You need quick wins: You want to automate processes today without a learning curve or setup time.
Integration coverage matters: You use niche or obscure apps that only Zapier supports.
Budget isn't the primary concern: You value convenience over cost optimization.
Best for: Small businesses, marketing teams, operations managers, non-technical users
You need visual workflow design: Complex branching logic is easier to understand with Make's visual interface.
Cost-effectiveness matters: You want powerful features without Zapier's premium pricing.
Data manipulation is important: You frequently transform, filter, or aggregate data in workflows.
You're willing to learn: You can invest time learning a more complex but more powerful tool.
Best for: Growing teams, data-heavy workflows, budget-conscious businesses
Cost Comparison Example
Let's compare the actual costs for a real-world scenario: A marketing team running 50 workflows that execute 20,000 times per month, with an average of 5 steps per workflow.
Scenario: E-commerce Marketing Automation
- • 50 different workflows (lead capture, email sequences, CRM updates, etc.)
- • 20,000 total executions per month
- • Average 5 steps per workflow
- • Total operations: 100,000 (20,000 × 5)
$0
Self-hosted (free)
Or $50/mo cloud
$599+
Company plan needed
(100k tasks/mo)
$29-69
Teams plan + extras
(Need ~100k ops)
Annual Savings: Choosing n8n saves $7,188/year vs Zapier, or $348-828/year vs Make. These savings compound as your automation scales.
Migration Considerations
Not locked into your current platform? Here's what to know about migrating:
From Zapier to n8n
Effort: Medium. Most common integrations are available, but you'll need to rebuild workflows manually. Plan for 2-4 hours per complex Zap. The investment pays off through cost savings and increased flexibility.
From Zapier to Make
Effort: Low-Medium. Similar concepts but different interface. Most integrations overlap. Expect 1-2 hours per Zap to rebuild. The visual builder may actually make complex workflows easier.
From Make to n8n
Effort: Medium-High. Both platforms support complex logic, but n8n's approach is more code-oriented. Budget 3-5 hours per complex scenario. Best done when you need self-hosting or hit Make's operation limits.
Our Recommendation
After implementing automation for dozens of Melbourne businesses, here's our honest take:
MK Studio's Recommendation Framework
Start with: Zapier
If you're new to automation, Zapier's ease of use helps you identify valuable workflows quickly. Get wins fast, then optimize costs later.
Scale with: n8n
Once you're running $100+/month on Zapier, migrate to n8n. The initial investment pays off in 3-6 months through cost savings, and you gain flexibility for complex workflows.
Consider Make for: Visual complexity
If your workflows involve heavy branching, data transformation, and you need a visual representation but can't justify n8n's learning curve, Make is the sweet spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple platforms?
Many businesses use Zapier for quick, simple workflows and n8n for complex, high-volume automation. This hybrid approach balances ease of use with cost optimization.
How long does it take to learn each platform?
Zapier: 1-2 hours to become productive
Make: 4-8 hours to grasp the visual builder
n8n: 8-16 hours for non-technical users, 2-4 hours for developers
What about security and compliance?
All three platforms offer enterprise-grade security. However, only n8n allows self-hosting for maximum data control. If you're handling HIPAA, GDPR, or other regulated data, self-hosted n8n is often the only compliant choice.
Which platform has the best API/webhook support?
n8n leads here with the most flexible HTTP request node and webhook functionality. Make is second, and Zapier third (though it's improved significantly). If you're building custom integrations, n8n is the clear winner.
Final Thoughts
There's no universally "best" automation platform—the right choice depends on your team's technical capabilities, budget, workflow complexity, and growth trajectory.
Zapier is unbeatable for ease of use and breadth of integrations. If you're just starting or have a non-technical team, it's the safest bet.
Make offers an excellent middle ground—more powerful than Zapier, more accessible than n8n, and significantly more affordable than Zapier at scale.
n8n is the platform for teams ready to invest in learning for long-term flexibility and cost savings. If you have technical resources or handle sensitive data, n8n's self-hosting capability is invaluable.
At MK Studio, we specialize in n8n implementations because we believe in giving Melbourne businesses full control over their automation infrastructure. We've helped dozens of companies migrate from Zapier and Make, typically recovering implementation costs within 6 months through subscription savings alone.
Ready to explore automation for your business? Let's discuss which platform makes the most sense for your specific needs.