n8n vs. Make: An In-Depth Look for Side Projects
n8n boasts 180,218 stars on GitHub—a significant number that reflects a passionate community. Make, however, tends to lurk behind with less visibility, despite being a well-known tool in the automation space. Stars don’t give you functionality, though, and deciding between n8n and Make for your side projects requires more than just a look at social validation. What you really need is a nitty-gritty comparison of what each platform actually does. In this article, I’ll break down both tools and tell you outright which one is better for specific scenarios.
| Tool | GitHub Stars | Forks | Open Issues | License | Last Updated | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n8n | 180,218 | 55,981 | 1,447 | NOASSERTION | 2026-03-21 | Free (open-source) |
| Make | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Free tier; Paid plans start at $9/month |
n8n: A Closer Look
n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool designed for developers and teams seeking the flexibility that comes with running their own automation solutions. It allows you to create complex workflows that automate tasks across different services with ease. In layman’s terms, it’s like Zapier but with a lot more control and customization options, particularly for the technical crowd.
{
"nodes": [
{
"parameters": {
"functionCode": "const items = $input.all();\nreturn items;"
},
"name": "Code",
"type": "n8n.nodes.Function",
"typeVersion": 1,
"position": [250, 300]
}
]
}Now, here’s what n8n excels at:
- Flexibility: You can host it yourself, which means you have total control over your data and workflows. This is particularly valuable in industries with strict compliance requirements.
- Wide Integrations: It comes packed with over 200 built-in integrations. From today’s hottest APIs to the classics. You can connect it with your favorite services with minimal fuss.
- Developer-Friendly: If you enjoy coding (and what developer doesn’t?), creating custom nodes with n8n is a breeze.
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows:
- Learning Curve: n8n tends to feel a bit overwhelming for newcomers. The interface provides a lot of freedom but can be confusing if you’re not already technical.
- Open Issues: Despite its high star count, n8n has a significant number of open issues (1,447 at the time of writing). This can raise concerns about ongoing support and viability.
Make: A Brief Overview
Make, previously known as Integromat, is all about ease of use. It provides a visual interface that allows users to drag and drop apps into workflows. Want to connect Google Sheets to Slack? Drag it in, configure it, and you’re halfway there. Its UI is arguably one of the most user-friendly in the automation space.
{
"version": "0.1",
"description": "Example Make scenario",
"modules": [
{
"name": "Google Sheets",
"action": "Get Rows"
},
{
"name": "Slack",
"action": "Send Message"
}
]
}Where Make shines includes:
- User Interface: It’s designed to be intuitive for less technical users while still providing a thorough automation experience.
- Templates Galore: Make offers a library of templates that can help users get started more quickly. This is particularly advantageous for newcomers.
- Task Scheduling: Built-in scheduling features allow for automated tasks at specific times or intervals, which is user-friendly.
Still, it has its downsides:
- Pricing Structure: The tiered pricing can sock you with expenses if your automations start using more tasks, especially as you scale your side projects.
- Limited Control: While it’s easy to use, if you’re a developer looking for deep customization, you’ll run into hurdles.
Head-to-Head Comparison
1. Usability
Make wins this round. If you’re getting started or just want something to work out of the box with minimal setup, Make is your best bet. n8n’s flexibility comes at the cost of a steeper learning curve.
2. Customization
n8n takes the lead here. If you’re developing a unique integration or want lower-level access, n8n’s self-hosted model gives you more control over your workflows.
3. Scalability
Make can really bite you in the wallet as you scale. The cost can rise sharply with higher task volumes. n8n is free if you host it yourself, which is a better option for a side project that you plan to scale up.
4. Community and Support
n8n has a lively open-source community with a sizeable number of developers contributing. However, the open issues are concerning. Make, while having a paid support structure, doesn’t have as large a user base, which may lead you to more boilerplate solutions rather than new ones. I’d give this one to n8n too, even with the open issues because you can actively participate in its evolution.
The Money Question: Pricing Comparison
n8n operates on an open-source model, which means you can host it for free. This is significant if you’re working on a side project and want to keep costs low. If you run into the need for cloud hosting, that’s another conversation, but you still have options. Make, on the other hand, has a pricing model that starts at $9/month for a tier that limits the number of operations you can run. Pricing can escalate quickly—$29/month for 10,000 operations, and $99/month if you want 100,000 operations to use at your whim.
| Cost Model | n8n | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes (limited features) |
| Starting Cost | Free (self-hosted) | $9/month |
| Mid Tier | Depends on hosting | $29/month for 10,000 operations |
| High Tier | Depends on hosting | $99/month for 100,000 operations |
My Take
If you’re a developer looking for something quick and user-friendly, go for Make. Its straightforward platform means you can set up automation without extensive coding knowledge. Also, if you’re in a team with a mix of technical and non-technical staff, Make can really bridge that gap.
If you’re a technical solo developer or a small team looking to flex your muscles, pick n8n. The control you gain from self-hosting will pay off in the long run, and its flexibility is unmatched in the automation arena. The ability to customize workflows isn’t just for advanced tasks—it’s a valuable feature that can save you time and headaches as your project grows.
Finally, if you’re managing a project for a small business or a non-profit and have limited budget resources but still need powerful automation, n8n is your best bet. Especially if your team is comfortable with some level of technical setup, this will help avoid unnecessary costs down the line.
FAQ
Q: Can I self-host n8n?
A: Absolutely! n8n can be run locally or hosted in your own cloud infrastructure. This means you maintain complete control over your data and instance.
Q: How does Make handle errors in workflows?
A: Make provides detailed error handling. If a module fails, you can either catch the error within the scenario or set up notifications to be alerted of the issue. This is useful for projects where error handling is critical.
Q: Are there any free plans for Make? How limited are they?
A: Yes, Make does offer a free plan, but it’s somewhat restrictive, especially in the number of operations and features like premium apps. It’s great for testing or small-scale projects.
Data as of March 21, 2026. Sources: n8n GitHub, Make Website.
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🕒 Last updated: · Originally published: March 20, 2026