n8n.io vs. Zapier vs. Make — What are the differences?

Markus Odenthal
3 min readMay 21, 2022

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Photo by Alex Knight on Unsplash

No-code automation tools have been gaining popularity in recent years as they offer a way to automate tedious and time-consuming tasks without coding. You can use them to automate tasks such as adding new contacts to your CRM, sending automated emails, or creating tasks in your project management tool. However, with so many no-code automation tools on the market, it can be challenging to know which one is right for you. This article will compare three of the most popular no-code automation tools: n8n.io, Zapier, and Make.

n8n.io — Free and powerful way to automate your workflows

First, let’s take a look at n8n.io. This tool bills itself as “the free and easy way to automate your workflows.” It’s an excellent option for those who want to get started with No-code automation without spending any money. n8n.io is easy to use and comes with many features, including support for most major online services. Compared to the other Tools, this gives you the most flexibility because you can add custom JavaScript code with the function nodes. If you want to go for free, you can use the Free and open-source Versions. Then you have to install it on your Server. Documentation on how to do it can be found here: Server setups. If you don’t want to set up your Server, they also have a hosted version of n8n.io ➡ n8n.cloud. In my opinion, n8n.io is the perfect fit for developers. Because it’s cheap and with some coding knowledge, the most powerful tool of these three.

Zapier — More integrations than any other platform

Next up is Zapier. Zapier is more expensive than n8n.io. Special if you want to connect services via Webhooks (I often use them to connect my iPhone with other tools) because you have to go with the premium plan. But it has lots of integrations to other Platforms and is easier to use than n8n.io. Zapier is a paid platform that offers a more limited selection of integrations but is easier to use than n8n.io. Zapier also offers a free tier that includes up to 5 Zaps (automated tasks) and 100 tasks per month. This makes it an ideal solution for small businesses or individuals who want to start automating their workflow without investing in a costly solution.

Make — Easy to use with a high flexibility

Finally, we have to Make. Make is in the middle field of the three compared to the price. Compared to the flexibility it is between n8n.io and Zapier. If you are not a developer and want flexibility, I would go with this solution.

Conclusion

So, which is the best automation tool for you? It depends on your needs and how much flexibility you need. If you want a platform with lots of integrations, Zapier is probably your best bet. If you are looking for an easy-to-use option that still has a lot of functionality, Make might be the right choice. And if you are looking for a free and powerful way to automate your workflows, n8n.io should be at the top of your list!

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