Quick Decision Rule
- Use n8n for self-hosted control and complex workflows.
- Use Zapier for fast no-code workflows with minimal engineering.
- Use Make for visual multi-step automation with moderate complexity.
Cost and Scale Considerations
At low volume, all three can work. At higher workflow volume, per-task pricing becomes a major decision factor for many teams.
n8n often becomes attractive when teams need predictable cost and deeper customization.
Migration Strategy
- Audit existing workflows by business criticality.
- Migrate one critical workflow first and validate reliability.
- Standardize monitoring and failure alerts before broad migration.