n8n vs Make.com – 36 Must-Know Differences Before You Choose

Key Concepts

AI Agents, Pricing Models (Operations vs. Workflow Executions), Local Hosting, Speed/Ease of Use, Native Integrations, Connection Setup, Triggers (Multiple, Quick, Built-in Forms), Polling vs. Instant Triggers, Crone Expressions, Pinned Data, Mock Data, Module Deactivation, Functions (Built-in vs. Code-Based), AI Functions, Text Aggregators, Weight Steps, Routers vs. Switch Statements, Merges, Built-in Code Editor, Other AI Tools (RAG, Vector Database), Looping, Data Extraction, Subscenarios, Mapping Variables, Hidden Values, Debugging Scenarios, Debugging Interfaces, JSON Creation, JSON to Text Conversion, Project Folders, Turning Scenarios Active.

AI Agents

• Main Point: n8n currently has AI agents, while Make.com doesn't (as of the recording date).
• Details: AI agents are autonomous agents that can make independent decisions and perform tasks without explicit rule-based instructions.
• Perspective: Make.com is likely working to integrate AI agents to avoid losing market share.

Pricing

• Main Point: n8n wins in pricing due to its workflow execution-based model and Community Edition.
• Make.com: Charges per operation (each module in a workflow). A workflow can quickly accumulate operations.
• n8n: Charges per workflow execution (the entire workflow counts as one execution). Sub-workflows from AI agents can increase costs.
• n8n Community Edition: Free, locally hosted version. Requires Docker setup or local storage.

Speed/Ease of Use

• Main Point: Make.com is generally easier for beginners due to its abstraction and no-code approach.
• Make.com: Data mapping and functions are presented in a user-friendly, abstracted manner.
• n8n: Requires more technical knowledge, especially when dealing with functions and string manipulation. Offers more customization for those with a technical background.

Native Integrations

• Main Point: Make.com currently has more native integrations, but n8n is rapidly catching up.
• Make.com: Approximately 2,000 native integrations (e.g., LinkedIn, HubSpot, Webflow).
• n8n: Approximately 1,028 native integrations.
• Connection Setup: Make.com simplifies connecting to services like Google Drive with OAuth. n8n requires client keys, client secrets, and OAuth configuration, which can be complex.

Triggers

• Main Point: n8n excels in trigger flexibility, quick triggers, and built-in forms.
• Multiple Triggers: n8n allows multiple triggers to start a single workflow. Make.com is limited to one trigger per workflow.
• Quick Triggers: n8n offers built-in triggers like button clicks and on-chat messages for easy testing and setup.
• Built-in Forms: n8n allows creating custom forms directly within the platform.
• Trigger Types (Polling vs. Instant): Make.com generally has more instant trigger types (webhooks), while n8n relies more on polling.
  • Polling: n8n periodically checks for updates (e.g., new emails). This consumes workflow executions even if no new data is found.
  • Instant (Webhooks): Make.com only triggers when new data is available, making it more economical.
• Scheduling: Make.com simplifies scheduling triggers with user-friendly options. n8n uses Crone expressions, which can be more complex.

Pinned and Mock Data

• Main Point: n8n's pinned and mock data features are superior for testing and development.
• Pinned Data: n8n allows pinning data at any step for repeated use. Make.com requires workarounds like using JSON modules.
• Mock Data: n8n allows editing pinned data to test different scenarios. Make.com requires unlinking and remapping modules.

Module Deactivation

• Main Point: n8n simplifies module deactivation.
• n8n: Modules can be easily deactivated with a single click.
• Make.com: Requires unlinking and relinking modules.

Functions

• Main Point: Make.com's built-in functions are easier for beginners, while n8n offers more flexibility for programmers.
• Make.com: Provides pre-defined functions with a no-code interface.
• n8n: Requires writing code expressions, offering more customization but a steeper learning curve.

AI Functions

• Main Point: n8n's AI functions, especially "From AI," automate tasks like extracting data for calendar events.
• Example: n8n can automatically extract start times, end times, and summaries from unstructured text (e.g., Telegram messages) to create Google Calendar events.

Text Aggregators

• Main Point: Make.com has a built-in text aggregator for bundling data into a single text file.
• Make.com: Simplifies combining data from multiple sources into a single text output.
• n8n: Requires custom code and multiple steps to achieve the same result.

Weight Steps

• Main Point: n8n allows for longer wait times in workflows.
• n8n: Supports weight steps in seconds, minutes, hours, or days.
• Make.com: Limited to a maximum sleep time of 300 seconds (5 minutes).

Routers vs. Switch Statements

• Main Point: Make.com's routers allow workflows to go down multiple paths simultaneously, while n8n's switch statements only allow one path.
• Make.com (Routers): Can execute multiple paths based on different conditions.
• n8n (Switch Statements): Executes only the first matching path.

Merges

• Main Point: n8n has a built-in merge function to combine data from different paths.
• n8n: Simplifies merging data from multiple branches back into a single workflow.
• Make.com: Requires using "get" and "set" variables, which is less convenient.

Built-in Code Editor

• Main Point: n8n has a built-in code editor, while Make.com requires third-party plugins.
• n8n: Allows users to write custom code directly within the platform.
• Make.com: Requires using external services like Zero Code Kit, which can be expensive.

Other AI Tools

• Main Point: Both platforms have built-in AI tools, but n8n offers more advanced options for RAG and vector databases.
• n8n: Includes tools for document loading, text splitting, vector stores, and embeddings, enabling the creation of custom vector databases.

Looping

• Main Point: n8n's looping functionality is more flexible and effective.
• n8n: Allows for infinite loops with wait steps, useful for scenarios like waiting for a call to end.
• Make.com: Has a repeater module that is less effective for complex looping scenarios.

Data Extraction

• Main Point: n8n has built-in data extraction capabilities, while Make.com requires external plugins.
• n8n: Can extract text from documents (e.g., PDFs) without relying on third-party services.
• Make.com: Requires using services like pdf.co, which adds complexity and cost.

Subscenarios

• Main Point: n8n's subflows are more cost-effective due to parameter passing.
• n8n: Allows passing parameters to subflows without additional costs.
• Make.com: Requires upgrading to a higher plan to use custom system variables for parameter passing.

Mapping Variables and Hidden Values

• Main Point: n8n provides better visibility of data and avoids hiding nested values.
• n8n: Displays all data, including nested objects and arrays, making it easier to map variables.
• Make.com: May hide data within nested objects, showing only the first instance.

Debugging Scenarios

• Main Point: n8n has a centralized debugging scenario, while Make.com requires individual error handlers.
• n8n: Allows creating a single error workflow that handles errors from all scenarios.
• Make.com: Requires setting up error handlers for each module, which is more time-consuming.

Debugging Interfaces

• Main Point: Make.com's debugging interface is simpler for non-coders, while n8n provides more detailed information for developers.
• Make.com: Provides a user-friendly error message but may lack detailed information.
• n8n: Displays the full error message, which can be helpful for developers but overwhelming for beginners.

JSON Creation

• Main Point: Make.com offers a visual JSON builder, while n8n requires writing JSON code.
• Make.com: Provides a drag-and-drop interface for creating JSON objects.
• n8n: Requires typing JSON code directly, which can be intimidating for beginners.

JSON to Text Conversion

• Main Point: Both platforms can easily convert between JSON and text.
• Make.com: Simplifies transforming JSON data into text strings and vice versa.
• n8n: Offers similar functionality for converting between JSON objects and text.

Project Folders

• Main Point: Make.com allows unlimited project folders, while n8n limits the number of folders on lower tiers.
• Make.com: Provides unlimited folders for organizing scenarios.
• n8n: Limits the number of folders, which can be problematic for large projects.

Turning Scenarios Active

• Main Point: n8n's interface makes it easier to remember to activate scenarios.
• n8n: The activation toggle is on the same page as the workflow editor.
• Make.com: Requires navigating back to a separate page to activate the scenario, which can be easily forgotten.

Conclusion

The choice between n8n and Make.com depends on individual needs and technical expertise. n8n offers more flexibility, advanced features (like AI agents and RAG), and cost-effective pricing, making it suitable for developers and those comfortable with coding. Make.com is easier to use for beginners, with a simpler interface and more native integrations, but can become more expensive and less flexible for complex automations. If starting from scratch and planning to delve deep into automation, n8n is likely the better choice. If prioritizing ease of use and quick setup, Make.com may be preferable.