n8n vs Make

n8n starts €20/mo (per-execution); Make starts ~$9/mo (per-operation). Pick n8n for scale + self-host; pick Make for cheapest cloud entry. Pricing verified against each vendor's live page (2026-05-30).

Pick n8n if you want scale + self-host; pick Make if you want cheapest cloud entry. They bill on different models (per-execution vs per-operation), so the cheaper one flips depending on how you run agents. The math is below.

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Head to head

Every attribute, both tools, side by side.

n8n

scale + self-host
pricing modelper-execution
entry price€20/mo
free tierself-host free
self-hostYes
mcpBoth
the gotchaBilled per full workflow run, not per step. A 50-step workflow is one execution. Cloud list prices are in EUR, and the cheap path is self-hosting.
Visit n8n →
VS

Make

cheapest cloud entry
pricing modelper-operation
entry price~$9/mo
free tier1,000 ops/mo
self-hostNo
mcpBoth
the gotchaOperations are counted per module, not per scenario, and AI/code modules cost several ops each. A 10-module flow burns 10+ ops every trigger.
Visit Make →

The real pricing math

One workflow, 6 steps, run hourly (about 720 runs a month). Same job, two billing shapes.

n8nper-execution
billable unit1 execution per run
720 runs720 billed units
entry plan€20/mo
free tierself-host free

Cloud Starter is ~€20/mo (billed annually) for 2,500 executions. Self-hosted Community Edition is free and unmetered.

Makeper-operation
billable unit1 operation per step
6 steps × 720 runs~4,320 billed units
entry plan~$9/mo
free tier1,000 ops/mo

Core is ~$9–12/mo for 10,000 operations. A scenario running hourly through 5 modules is ~3,600 ops/mo, so the base bucket covers only 2–3 of them.

// worked estimate from each pricing model · run your own numbers in the real-cost calculator →

Choose n8n if

  • You want the cheapest option at scale, or to self-host and keep full control of your data.
  • You want the option to self-host and keep portability.
  • You're comfortable with its per-execution billing.
  • Best for scale + self-host.

Choose Make if

  • You want the lowest-cost way to start automating and prefer a simple visual builder.
  • You prefer a fully managed cloud tool with no infra.
  • You're comfortable with its per-operation billing.
  • Best for cheapest cloud entry.

Related comparisons

zapier vs make→zapier vs n8n→make vs mindstudio→ n8n alternatives→ make alternatives→ n8n pricing→ make pricing→ n8n review→ make review→

Questions

n8n vs Make: which is cheaper?

n8n starts from €20/mo; Make starts from ~$9/mo. But they bill differently (per-execution vs per-operation), so the real winner depends on your usage shape, not the sticker price.

Can you self-host n8n or Make?

n8n: Yes. Make: No.

n8n vs Make: which should I pick?

Pick n8n for scale + self-host; pick Make for cheapest cloud entry.