Choosing an automation platform is one of the most consequential technical decisions a growing business can make. The three leading platforms — Make (formerly Integromat), Zapier, and n8n — each excel in different scenarios. Here's an honest comparison based on real-world usage.
Zapier: Simplicity at Scale
Strengths: Largest integration library (6,000+ apps), easiest learning curve, fastest setup for simple automations. Weaknesses: Expensive at scale (per-task pricing adds up), limited logic complexity, no self-hosting option. Best for: Small teams that need quick, simple connections between popular SaaS tools.
Make: Visual Power
Strengths: Powerful visual builder, excellent data transformation tools, more affordable than Zapier for high-volume scenarios, strong error handling. Weaknesses: Steeper learning curve than Zapier, still cloud-only (no self-hosting), can become complex to manage at scale. Best for: Mid-sized businesses with complex, multi-step workflows that need visual clarity.
n8n: Developer-Grade Flexibility
Strengths: Self-hostable (data sovereignty), no per-execution limits, custom code support (JavaScript/Python), open source, highly extensible. Weaknesses: Requires technical knowledge to self-host, smaller integration library than Zapier, UI less polished than Make. Best for: Businesses that need data sovereignty, high-volume automation, or custom integrations.
Pricing Comparison (2026)
Zapier: Free tier (100 tasks/month), Starter $19.99/mo (750 tasks), Professional $49/mo (2,000 tasks). Costs scale linearly with usage.
Make: Free tier (1,000 ops/month), Core $9/mo (10,000 ops), Pro $16/mo (10,000 ops + advanced features). Better value at higher volumes.
n8n: Self-hosted is free (unlimited). Cloud starts at $20/mo. Total cost depends on hosting infrastructure.
Our Recommendation
We use all three platforms depending on the client's needs. For European businesses with data sensitivity, n8n is our default. For quick integrations between SaaS tools, Zapier wins. For complex visual workflows, Make excels. The right answer depends on your specific requirements.