Make (formerly Integromat) charges per operation and caps scenarios on every plan. n8n gives you unlimited operations, unlimited workflows, and full source code access - self-hosted on InstaPods for $3/mo.
| Feature | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $9/mo (Core plan) | $3/mo (self-hosted on InstaPods) |
| Operations/Tasks | 10,000 ops/mo (Core) | Unlimited - no per-operation fees |
| Active Scenarios | 2 (Free) - unlimited (Teams+) | Unlimited workflows |
| Execution Interval | 15 min (Free), 1 min (Pro+) | Sub-minute triggers, cron, webhooks |
| Data Transfer | Counted as operations | No transfer metering |
| Code Execution | Limited JavaScript/Python modules | Full JavaScript + Python with npm packages |
| Error Handling | Built-in retry and error routes | Built-in retry, error workflows, and custom logic |
| API Integrations | 1,800+ apps | 400+ built-in + 900+ community nodes |
| Self-Hosting | Not available | Full control - your server, your data |
| Source Code | Closed source | Open source (fair-code license) |
Limitations that push you toward self-hosting.
Make charges per operation. A scenario with 5 modules processing 100 records uses 500 operations. The $9/mo Core plan gives you just 10,000 - that runs out fast with any real workload.
Each module execution counts as one operation. Data transforms, filters, and routers all consume operations. Predicting your monthly bill requires spreadsheet math.
The free plan caps you at 2 active scenarios. Even the $9/mo Core plan limits features like custom variables and priority execution.
Scenarios built in Make can't be exported to other platforms. Your automation logic is locked into their ecosystem.
What you get when you own your infrastructure.
No per-operation billing. Run workflows as often as needed - process thousands of records without watching a usage meter.
Write JavaScript or Python with full npm/pip access. Import any library, call any API, process data however you need.
Workflows are stored as JSON on your server. Export, version control, and migrate them freely. No vendor lock-in.
Your API keys, credentials, and workflow data never leave your server. Critical for teams handling sensitive data.
Running 10 active workflows processing 50,000 operations per month.
Both have visual drag-and-drop editors. Make's interface is slightly more polished for beginners, but n8n's editor is powerful and intuitive once you spend 10 minutes with it. The learning curve is comparable.
Make has more pre-built app connections (1,800+ vs 400+ built-in for n8n). However, n8n has 900+ community nodes and an HTTP Request node that connects to any REST API. For most use cases, you'll find what you need.
There's no automatic migration tool, but the concepts map directly: Make scenarios = n8n workflows, Make modules = n8n nodes. Most teams rebuild their key automations in an afternoon.
Use the HTTP Request node to call any REST API directly, or write a custom node in JavaScript. The community also publishes nodes regularly - check the n8n community nodes list.
Deploy n8n on InstaPods and stop paying for features that should be free.
Deploy n8n