Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
In 2026,n8n and Make are the two most widely used no-code automation tools by companies in Spain for connecting applications and adding AI to their processes. The key difference: n8n is open-source and can be hosted on your own server (more control, more predictable costs at high volumes), while Make is a 100% cloud-based platform designed for rapid deployment without worrying about infrastructure. At Inprofit, we’re certified in both and recommend them based on the project, not on personal preference.
n8n vs. Make: Quick Comparison Chart
| Criterion | n8n | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Open-source, self-hosted, or cloud-based | 100% cloud (SaaS) |
| Admission price | Free if you host it yourself; starting at ~20 €/month in the cloud | Starting at €0 (limited free plan); paid plans starting at ~€9–16/month |
| High-volume cost model | Predictable: You pay for the server, not for execution | Fees based on the number of “transactions” executed: costs can rise significantly with high volume |
| Data Control and Privacy | In short, if you self-host (the data never leaves your infrastructure) | The data passes through the Make (Celonis) cloud |
| Learning Curve | Medium-high: Think more like a developer (nodes, optional JS) | Low-to-medium: a highly visual interface designed for non-technical users |
| Native Integrations | Hundreds, growing rapidly because it is open-source | Miles, very mature and stable |
| AI / LLM Nodes | Very comprehensive: native nodes for OpenAI, Anthropic, and AI agents | Good AI support, though slightly less flexible than n8n for complex agents |
| Ideal for | Companies with high volume, privacy requirements, or their own technical staff | Companies that want to roll out quickly without managing infrastructure |
What is n8n?
n8n is an open-source workflow automation platform that allows you to connect applications using a visual node editor. Its main advantage is that you can install it on your own server (self-hosted), which means your company’s data never leaves your infrastructure—a particularly important consideration for regulated industries (healthcare, finance, legal) or companies with strict data protection policies. Additionally, it allows for customization using JavaScript or Python code within the workflows when business logic requires it.
What is Make (formerly Integromat)?
Make is a 100% cloud-based automation platform with one of the most intuitive visual interfaces on the market: workflows are represented as scenarios with modules connected in a circle, making them easy to understand at a glance—even for non-technical users. It’s the fastest option to get up and running when you don’t want to (or can’t) manage your own infrastructure, and it features thousands of integrations already built and maintained by the Make team itself.
Price: n8n vs. Make in Detail
Here’s the difference that carries the most weight in companies’ actual decision-making. Make charges per “operation” (each action within a workflow counts as one operation), which means that the more data you process, the more you pay each month—with no upper limit. n8n, if you self-host it on your own server or a cloud server (VPS starting at €5–20/month), has no per-execution cost: you pay for the server, and you can run as many flows and as much data as your server can handle. For low to medium volume (few automations, low data traffic), Make is usually cheaper and faster to implement. For high and sustained volume, self-hosted n8n almost always wins out in terms of cost in the medium term.
Generative AI: Which one best integrates AI agents?
Both platforms allow you to embed models from OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google into workflows, but n8n has a clear advantage for anyone who wants to build more sophisticated AI agents : native “AI Agent” nodes with memory, tools, and chained decision-making capabilities—which is very useful for scenarios such as agents that autonomously handle WhatsApp (we explain this in detail in our article on AI agents on WhatsApp for businesses). Make also supports AI, but its approach is more about a “one-off step within a workflow” rather than a complex autonomous agent.
n8n vs. Make vs. Zapier?
Zapier remains a leader in the United States, but by 2026, its per-task pricing model will be the most expensive of the three for companies with medium-to-high volumes, and its support for advanced generative AI lags behind n8n. For Spanish and European companies, the real choice almost always comes down to n8n vs. Make; Zapier remains a third option when it’s already being used for very specific integrations in the American niche market.
So, n8n or Make? Our recommendation
- Choose “Make” if: you want to get up and running quickly, you don’t have an in-house technical team, your data volume is low to medium, and you prefer to pay per use without managing servers.
- Choose n8n if: your company handles sensitive data, you have or plan to implement a high volume of automations, you want to build complex AI agents, or you’re looking for total control and predictable long-term costs.
- Combine both: Some companies use Make for quick marketing automations and n8n for critical internal data processes. This is neither uncommon nor counterproductive.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a simple first automation project (such as connecting a web form to the CRM and sending an email), Make is usually faster to set up thanks to its visual interface and free plan. If an SME already plans to scale up to multiple processes and handle high data volumes, it’s best to start directly with n8n to avoid having to migrate later.
The n8n software is open source and free if you install it on your own server (self-hosted); you only pay for hosting (starting at about 5–20 €/month, depending on the provider). n8n also offers a paid cloud plan if you don’t want to manage the infrastructure yourself.
Yes, although there is no automatic 1:1 migration between the two platforms: the flows (“scenarios” in Make, “workflows” in n8n) must be rebuilt manually, adapting the logic to n8n’s node structure. That’s why it’s important to decide early on whether the project is likely to scale.
n8n is often the preferred choice for building AI agents with memory and custom tools (for example, an agent that checks your CRM before responding), thanks to its native “AI Agent” nodes. Make works well for simpler, more straightforward WhatsApp automations.
At Inprofit, we are a Martech agency certified in n8n and Make. We analyze your data volume, budget, and privacy needs, and recommend the right tool for you—not the one that’s easiest for us to sell.
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Marketing tecnológico en vena. Fanático de las tecnologías Martech que rompen moldes: IA generativa, blockchain, no-code, metaverso, automatización extrema… Convencido de que el futuro no se espera, se construye (y se vende muy bien).
Responsable del marketing más disruptivo y tecnológico.
