Make vs Zapier vs n8n: Which Automation Platform is Right for You?
By Alain Vartanian
Three automation platforms, three different philosophies. Here's an honest comparison to help you choose the right tool for your business.
Choosing an automation platform is one of the most important decisions for your business operations. The right choice saves you time and money; the wrong one creates headaches for years. Let's compare the three most popular options: Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), and n8n.
Zapier: The easy button
Zapier pioneered no-code automation and remains the most user-friendly option. With over 7,000 app integrations, you can connect almost anything. The interface is clean and intuitive—you can build your first Zap in minutes without reading a manual.
Strengths:
- Massive app library (7,000+ integrations)
- Extremely beginner-friendly
- Strong documentation and community
- Reliable for simple workflows
Weaknesses:
- Expensive at scale ($73.50/month for 2,000 tasks)
- Limited logic and branching capabilities
- Poor error handling and debugging
- Multi-step Zaps become unwieldy
Best for: Small businesses with simple, low-volume automation needs who prioritize ease of use over power.
Make: The visual powerhouse
Make offers a visual canvas where you can see your entire workflow at a glance. It's more powerful than Zapier, with true branching, loops, error handlers, and data manipulation tools built in. The learning curve is steeper, but the capabilities are far greater.
Strengths:
- Visual scenario builder with clear flow
- Advanced branching, loops, and error handling
- More cost-effective (10,000 operations for $10.59/month)
- Built-in data transformation tools
- Better handling of complex, multi-step workflows
Weaknesses:
- Steeper learning curve than Zapier
- Fewer integrations (1,800+ vs Zapier's 7,000+)
- Interface can feel overwhelming at first
Best for: Growing businesses with complex workflows who need power and cost efficiency.
n8n: The developer's choice
n8n is a source-available automation platform that you can self-host. There are no per-operation fees—just your hosting costs. It's highly customizable, with the ability to write custom JavaScript code within workflows. If you have technical resources, n8n offers the most flexibility.
Strengths:
- Self-hostable with no operation limits
- Highly customizable with code nodes
- Source-available (you can inspect and modify the code)
- No vendor lock-in
- Active developer community
Weaknesses:
- Requires technical knowledge to self-host
- Fewer out-of-the-box integrations
- You're responsible for maintenance and updates
- Cloud option available but less cost-competitive
Best for: Technical teams who want maximum control, customization, and cost efficiency.
Evaluation criteria
When choosing a platform, consider:
Complexity of your workflows: Simple trigger-action? Zapier. Multi-branch logic with error handling? Make or n8n.
Volume of operations: Low volume? Any platform works. High volume? Make or n8n will save you money.
Technical resources: Non-technical team? Zapier or Make. Have developers? n8n unlocks more possibilities.
Budget: Tight budget and high volume? n8n self-hosted. More budget flexibility? Make offers the best balance.
Security requirements: Need on-premise hosting for compliance? n8n. Cloud is fine? Any platform works.
Use case recommendations
Marketing automation (lead nurturing, email sequences): Zapier—simple and well-integrated with marketing tools.
E-commerce operations (order processing, inventory sync): Make—handles the complexity and volume cost-effectively.
Custom internal tools (data pipelines, reporting): n8n—maximum flexibility for unique requirements.
Multi-department workflows (sales-to-fulfillment handoffs): Make—visual builder helps coordinate complex processes.
The verdict
There's no universal "best" platform. Zapier wins on simplicity, Make wins on power-to-cost ratio, and n8n wins on flexibility and control. Most businesses I work with end up choosing Make for the balance of capabilities and cost, but your situation may be different.
Want a personalized recommendation? Book a Workflow & Automation Strategy Session and I'll analyze your specific workflows to recommend the best platform—and help you migrate if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Make better than Zapier?
Make is better than Zapier for complex workflows requiring branching logic, loops, and error handling. It's also more cost-effective, offering 10,000 operations for $10.59/month versus Zapier's 2,000 tasks for $73.50/month. However, Zapier is better for beginners who need simplicity and access to 7,000+ app integrations.
What is n8n and how is it different from Zapier?
n8n is a source-available automation platform that you can self-host. Unlike Zapier's per-task pricing, n8n has no operation limits when self-hosted—you only pay for hosting (as low as $5/month). It offers more customization through JavaScript code nodes but requires technical knowledge to set up and maintain.
Which automation platform is cheapest?
For high-volume automation, n8n self-hosted is cheapest with no per-operation fees. Make offers the best value for managed services at $10.59/month for 10,000 operations. Zapier is the most expensive at scale but has the lowest barrier to entry with its free tier for basic needs.
Can I migrate from Zapier to Make?
Yes, you can migrate from Zapier to Make. While there's no automatic migration tool, most Zapier workflows can be recreated in Make. Start by documenting your current Zaps, then rebuild them in Make's visual scenario builder. Many users find Make's interface clearer for complex workflows once they learn the basics.
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