I've built automation systems in all three platforms. Hundreds of workflows. Clients ranging from solo founders to companies with 1,000+ employees.
The question I get most often: "Which one should I use?"
The honest answer: it depends. But here's how to figure it out.
The Quick Answer
Use Zapier if: You're non-technical, need something simple, and don't mind paying more for convenience.
Use Make.com if: You want visual workflow building, need more complex logic than Zapier allows, and want better pricing at scale.
Use n8n if: You're technical (or have someone who is), need maximum flexibility, want to self-host, or have complex enterprise requirements.
Zapier: The Easy Button
Zapier is the most user-friendly option. It's designed for people who don't want to think about technical details.
Pros:
- Easiest learning curve
- Largest app library (5,000+ integrations)
- Great for simple, linear workflows
- Solid documentation and support
Cons:
- Gets expensive fast (pricing per task)
- Limited logic and branching
- Hard to debug complex workflows
- You don't own the infrastructure
Best for: Simple automations like "when someone fills out a form, add them to my CRM and send a welcome email."
Make.com: The Visual Builder
Make (formerly Integromat) gives you more power than Zapier while keeping things visual and accessible.
Pros:
- Visual workflow builder (actually see the logic)
- Better pricing than Zapier (operations-based)
- More complex logic, branching, and error handling
- Good balance of power and usability
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve than Zapier
- Smaller app library
- Still cloud-only (can't self-host)
- Can get confusing with very complex workflows
Best for: Mid-complexity automations that need conditional logic, like "route leads to different sales reps based on territory and deal size."
n8n: The Power Tool
n8n is for when you need maximum control. It's open-source, self-hostable, and incredibly flexible.
Pros:
- Self-hosted option (you own everything)
- Unlimited workflows on self-hosted
- Write custom code when needed
- Most flexible for complex requirements
- Great for enterprise and compliance needs
Cons:
- Requires technical knowledge to set up
- Self-hosting means managing infrastructure
- Smaller community than Zapier
- Some integrations require custom building
Best for: Complex enterprise workflows, situations where you need custom code, or when you want to own your infrastructure.
Pricing Comparison
This is where the differences really show up.
Zapier: Starts free, but scales to $599+/month for professional plans. Charges per "task" (each step in your workflow).
Make.com: Starts free, professional plans around $16-99/month. Charges per "operation" (usually cheaper than Zapier).
n8n: Free for self-hosted (you pay for your server). Cloud version starts around $20/month.
For high-volume automation, Make and n8n can be 5-10x cheaper than Zapier.
Which One Do I Use?
Honestly, all of them. Different clients, different needs.
For simpler projects where the client's team will maintain things, I often recommend Make.com - it's powerful enough for most needs and non-technical people can manage it.
I rarely recommend Zapier for new projects unless the client is already using it and the automation is simple.
Still Not Sure?
Here's my decision framework:
1. How technical is your team?
Non-technical → Zapier or Make
Technical → Make or n8n
2. How complex is the automation?
Simple (1-3 steps, linear) → Zapier
Medium (branching, conditions) → Make
Complex (custom code, enterprise) → n8n
3. What's your volume?
Low (hundreds/month) → Any platform
High (thousands+/month) → Make or n8n (cost)
4. Do you need to own the infrastructure?
Yes → n8n (self-hosted)
No → Any platform
Need Help Deciding?
I've built on all three platforms. If you're not sure which fits your situation, book a call and we'll figure it out together.
Or check out my automation services to see how I can help.