n8n vs. Make.com in 2025: The Ultimate Automation Showdown

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In the world of workflow automation, n8n and Make.com (formerly Integromat) stand out as two of the most powerful and popular platforms. As we move through 2025, the choice between them has become more nuanced, with each platform solidifying its position and appealing to different user bases. This guide provides a deep dive into their core differences, strengths, and ideal use cases to help you decide which tool is right for you.

1. Core Philosophy & Hosting Model

The most fundamental difference lies in their architecture and business model.

  • n8n (Open & Flexible): n8n operates on a source-available, 'fair-code' license. This means you can view the source code and, most importantly, self-host it on your own infrastructure (e.g., using Docker or npm). This offers unparalleled control over your data, security, and costs. For those who prefer a managed service, n8n also provides a cloud version.
  • Make.com (Closed & Managed): Make is a purely closed-source, SaaS (Software as a Service) platform. It is fully managed and hosted on their servers. This simplifies setup and maintenance but offers less control over the underlying environment.

2. User Interface and Workflow Building

Both platforms offer a visual canvas for building workflows, but their approach is distinct.

n8n's Developer-Focused Canvas:

n8n uses a node-based interface where each node represents an app or a function. You connect nodes to create a data flow. The UI is powerful and gives developers fine-grained control, especially with its ability to inspect the JSON data that passes between each node. It's more technical but extremely powerful for complex logic.

Make.com's Whimsical, Visual Interface:

Make is famous for its playful and intuitive UI, where animated modules are connected to build 'scenarios'. It excels at visualizing the flow of operations and is often considered more beginner-friendly. The visual data mapping helps non-developers connect fields between different services without writing code.

3. Extensibility and Customization

This is where the platforms truly diverge.

n8n's Superpower: The Code Node

n8n's greatest strength for developers is its extensibility. You can easily write custom JavaScript or TypeScript directly within a 'Code' node to perform any logic that isn't available in a standard node. You can also build your own custom nodes for proprietary apps or unique use cases.

// Example: Custom logic in an n8n Code Node
const items = $input.all();
let totalAmount = 0;

for (const item of items) {
  // Assume each item has a 'price' and 'quantity' field
  item.json.lineTotal = item.json.price * item.json.quantity;
  totalAmount += item.json.lineTotal;
}

// You can return a summary object or the modified items
return [{ json: { grandTotal: totalAmount } }];

Make.com's Vast App Library:

Make boasts one of the largest libraries of pre-built app integrations on the market. If you need to connect common SaaS applications without custom logic, there's a very high chance Make has a ready-to-use module for it. While it has some tools for HTTP requests and data transformation, it is not designed for custom code execution in the same way as n8n.

4. Pricing in 2025

  • n8n: The self-hosted version is free, with costs limited to your server infrastructure. This is incredibly cost-effective for high-volume workflows. The cloud pricing is based on the number of workflow executions, which is simple and predictable.
  • Make.com: Uses a tiered subscription model based on the number of 'operations' (a single action within a module). Costs can escalate quickly as workflow complexity and frequency increase, which can be a significant factor for scaling businesses.

Conclusion: Who Should Choose Which?

The choice in 2025 is clearer than ever:

Choose n8n if:

  • You are a developer or have access to development resources.
  • You need to write custom logic or integrate with bespoke systems.
  • Data privacy and control are paramount (requiring self-hosting).
  • You run high-volume automations and need a cost-effective solution at scale.

Choose Make.com if:

  • You are a business user, marketer, or part of a no-code/low-code team.
  • Your primary need is to connect a wide variety of popular SaaS applications quickly.
  • You prioritize ease of use and a fully managed, hands-off platform.
  • Your workflow volume is low to moderate, and predictable subscription costs are preferred.

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