In a globalized world that’s only picking up speed, workflow automation has proven as a time-saving way to organize processes and boost efficiency and productivity. As with any product, there is no doubt that the market offers multiple tools and software to assist with automating your workflows. Make (formerly Integromat) and n8n are two such automation tools. If you’re having trouble deciding which platform is the right fit for you, look no further: here we have summarized the features, uses and integration possibilities of both platforms to help you decide which is better for you. Let’s begin!
Make is a workflow automation platform that allows you to visually and intuitively build workflows. It is a no-code iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) platform. This means it is a cloud-based service and, as it is no-code, it also requires no prior coding knowledge from its users.
Make uses a visual interface with a classic drag-and-drop builder with which you can maneuver so-called “modules”. These can be process steps that trigger actions or various applications. These modules connect together to make “scenarios” which you can build upon infinitely with no limit to the steps or apps you add. With just a click, you can then make these scenarios go live and watch them play out in real time.
We also provide an in-depth intro guide to Make that covers how the platform works and everything you should know before working with it.
Be it complex processes with multiple outcomes or data formatting: Make enables you to control every minute detail of your workflows. With the advanced features, you can control the workflow execution using conditional filters and monitor past steps if errors occur, in order to identify their causes. This helps you create alternative workflows and optimize critical processes.
To help you get started, Make provides you with templates, which are pre-built scenarios for every imaginable purpose and which you can browse by category on the website. You also have the option of creating shared workspaces and collaborating with your team or clients on your workflows.
The entirety of Make’s visual workflows is based mainly on API (application programming interface) integrations, which allow two or more applications to communicate and understand each other. We also have a comprehensive blog post on API integrations, if you want to learn more about them.
Make offers thousands of built-in applications you can connect to in your scenarios. These include a multitude of Google apps, social media platforms such as Twitter or Instagram, and even OpenAI. Apart from that, you can also use the pre-built HTTP module to connect to any existing app that offers anAPI. You can also use this module to trigger your workflows from an external web service via API.
Users with problems and unanswered questions will find much-needed support in the Make community. Here, members exchange information, helpful tips and how-tos regarding the workflow automation platform. You’ll be able to ask for help, connect with other users, and even create your own posts with your personal tips.
If you’re only starting out and are unsure if Make is the right platform for you – no worries! Make offers a free version with the basic no-code visual workflow builder and app integrations included. In addition, there are monthly and annual plans and multiple packages which include different features and which you can adjust to your needs. The Core package begins at $9/month, and the Pro package begins at $16/month, both of which are suited for individuals. The Teams package, beginning at $29/month, and the Enterprise package are recommended for departments and organizations.
These prices include 10,000 operations per month. An operation is defined as any action executed in a scenario such as reading, creating or updating data in an app. Depending on your workflow needs, you can always purchase additional operations or upgrade your plan to a higher package.
If this platform already sounds like a perfect fit for you: great! Make offers plenty of free online courses and certifications in the Make Academy that will help you get started with the tool.
Let’s move on to the second tool in our comparison. Like Make, n8n is also an iPaaS workflow automation platform. It has a self-hostable version and is open-source, allowing you to tweak the codebase according to your needs.
With a visual editor, n8n allows you to automate tasks and workflows using nodes and connectors. Depending on the data you want to work with, these can either be manipulated with the help of the user interface or with Python or JavaScript using the built-in JS editor. This makes it a flexible platform that can be adjusted to your coding expertise. You can also choose to pay for a package of workflows and host in the n8n cloud, or self-host for free for added security, as the basic version of n8n is available on GitHub.
We offer a comprehensive review of n8n as well. Here, you can learn more about the benefits of the workflow automation platform and what you can build with it.
N8n facilitates the branching, merging and pausing of complex workflows. Here, too, you can choose from more than 1,000 shareable workflow templates to tackle your projects. Error nodes also make it easier for you to track down bugs in your workflows and work on optimized solutions.
As mentioned, with n8n, you have the freedom of choosing whether to work with code or not. With this, you can also decide on the mode of integrations in your workflows. N8n offers 900+ pre-built integrations that you can add into your automated processes. Aside from that, you can also use a general connector node to connect to any app that offers an API. Finally, you also have the option of using your coding skills and custom coding your own integrations.
With n8n, you have access to a forum of n8n engineers and community experts available around the clock to answer your burning questions and to inspire you with their own templates.
Aside from the possibility of self-hosting at no cost, n8n also offers monthly and annual packages which host your workflows in the n8n cloud, and which offer differing developer tools and features. These include the Starter package at €20/month, which includes 2,500 workflow executions and 5 active workflows, the Pro package at €50/month with 10,000 workflow executions and 15 active workflows, and the Enterprise package with unlimited workflow executions and unlimited workflows.
Here, an execution is a single run of an entire workflow, no matter how many steps or integrations it includes or how much data is processed. The number of available workflow executions and workflows can always be increased and upgraded within a package.
If you determine that self-hosting is the best option for you, n8n provides instructions for setting up the self-hosted editions on their website. On top of that, there are also n8n courses you can take that will help you understand the tool better.
Of course, that is for you to decide. What makes either platform a better fit for the user depends entirely on their workflow automation needs and skill set.
With its exclusively visual editor and drag-and-drop function, Make is ideal for beginners and individuals without coding expertise. The simple integration possibilities and advanced control features make it a flexible and straightforward platform that anyone can benefit from. Make also offers a wider range of packages that start at lower prices. However, as packages include individual operations within a workflow instead of entire runs, it can quickly get pricey if you underestimate your usage and need to purchase additional operations.
Compared to that, a n8n package may yield more uses, as it does not differ between a 10-step or 100-step workflow – an execution is an execution, the number of steps within it are irrelevant. The self-hostable aspect also accommodates the needs of users who require more data security when automating their workflows. Needless to say, the option of coding integrations whenever you need to, widens the scope of actions possible with n8n, provided you have the needed skills.
However, when using either platform, you shouldn’t be afraid of being on your own: Both offer a community filled with helpful users and experts ready to answer your questions. You can also always arrange a free consultation with 0hands for assistance or additional information on the tools available to you.
Hopefully, we’ve given you some insight into the differences and similarities between Make and n8n by now, to ensure you make an informed and assured decision on which workflow automation platform might work best for you. So, which will it be?
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