Make vs N8N for B2B Automation: Which One Should You Use?

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In today’s B2B world, automation is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. Sales, marketing, and operations teams are increasingly turning to workflow automation tools to save time, scale outreach, and optimize processes.

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Two of the most popular no-code/low-code automation platforms are Make (formerly Integromat) and N8N. Both allow businesses to automate repetitive tasks, connect different apps, and build workflows without extensive coding knowledge.

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But which one is better for B2B automation? In this article, we’ll compare Make vs N8N across key criteria:

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✅ Ease of Use

✅ Flexibility & Customization

✅ Integration Capabilities

✅ Pricing

✅ Scalability

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By the end, you’ll know which platform is the right fit for your B2B automation needs.

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1. What Are Make and N8N?

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🔹 Make (formerly Integromat)

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Make is a cloud-based automation platform that allows users to create workflows (called "scenarios") by connecting multiple apps. It’s known for its visual, drag-and-drop interface and powerful data transformation capabilities.

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📌 Key Features:

✔ No-code workflow builder with drag-and-drop UI

✔ Over 1,600+ app integrations (CRM, email, LinkedIn, Slack, etc.)

✔ Advanced data manipulation tools (filters, aggregators, routers)

✔ Cloud-based, meaning no setup or hosting required

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Make is widely used by growth hackers, sales teams, and marketers who need flexible automation without coding.

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🔹 N8N

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N8N is an open-source automation tool that offers more customization and flexibility. Unlike Make, it requires self-hosting (or using N8N Cloud). It’s built for developers and power users who need deep customization beyond standard automation tools.

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Key Features:

✔ Self-hosted (more control over data & security)

✔ Advanced scripting & API calls for complex workflows

✔ Supports custom functions and webhooks

✔ Free & open-source, with paid cloud hosting available

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N8N is a great choice for tech-savvy teams, developers, and companies with strict data privacy policies.

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2. Key Comparison: Make vs N8N for B2B Automation

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🟢 Ease of Use: Make Wins

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If you need a user-friendly, no-code automation tool, Make is the clear winner.

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✅ Make:

• Drag-and-drop interface, easy to set up
• Pre-built templates for common automations
• Minimal learning curve for non-technical users

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❌ N8N:

• Requires self-hosting and setup
• More technical (requires JavaScript for advanced use)
• Steeper learning curve

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Verdict: If you’re a B2B sales team, marketer, or growth hacker, Make is easier and faster to implement.

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🟠 Flexibility & Customization: N8N Wins

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If you need advanced customization, N8N is more powerful.

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✅ N8N:

• Supports custom code execution (JavaScript, API calls)
• Self-hosted, so you have full control over your data
• Ideal for companies needing advanced workflow logic

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❌ Make:

• Limited flexibility compared to N8N
• Some advanced API functionalities are restricted

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Verdict: If your business needs custom automation with full control over data, N8N is better.

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🟢 Integrations & App Ecosystem: Make Wins

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Make has over 1,600+ integrations, while N8N has fewer pre-built connectors.

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✅ Make:

• Ready-to-use integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, LinkedIn, Slack, Google Sheets, Apollo.io, Lemlist, and more
• No need for coding—just plug and play

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❌ N8N:

• Fewer out-of-the-box integrations
• Requires custom API configurations for many apps

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Verdict: If you need fast, plug-and-play automation, Make is the better choice.

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🟠 Pricing: N8N Wins for Long-Term Cost Savings

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Pricing depends on usage, but in the long run, N8N can be more cost-effective if you host it yourself.

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✅ N8N:

• Free if self-hosted (only pay for hosting)
• Paid cloud version starts at $20/month

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❌ Make:

• Free plan available (limited operations)
• Paid plans start at $9/month but scale up based on usage

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Verdict: If you’re a startup or small business, Make’s pricing is more accessible. However, if you’re automating at scale, self-hosting N8N can be cheaper.

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🟢 Scalability: Make Wins for Most Businesses

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✅ Make:

• Cloud-based, scales automatically
• Supports high-volume automations without infrastructure setup

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❌ N8N:

• Requires server setup to handle large-scale workflows
• Can be complex for non-technical teams

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Verdict: If you need scalable automation without technical hassle, Make is better.

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3. Which One Should You Choose?

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Use Make if:

✅ You need an easy-to-use, no-code solution

✅ You want fast, plug-and-play automation

✅ You work in sales, marketing, or growth hacking

✅ You don’t want to worry about hosting or maintenance

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Best for: B2B sales teams, growth marketers, and startups.

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Use N8N if:

✅ You need deep customization & scripting

✅ You want to self-host for security & cost control

✅ Your team has technical expertise

✅ You need to automate complex workflows beyond Make’s limits

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Best for: Developers, enterprise teams, and companies with strict data privacy needs.

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Conclusion

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Both Make and N8N are powerful B2B automation tools. The choice depends on your needs:

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✅ If you want easy-to-use, scalable automation → Choose Make.

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✅ If you need full control, advanced scripting, and self-hosting → Choose N8N.

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At the end of the day, automation is about saving time and increasing efficiency. Whether you choose Make or N8N, implementing automation in your B2B workflows will give you a massive competitive advantage.