Two Tools, One Goal: Less Manual Work
If you've spent more than five minutes researching automation tools, you've almost certainly stumbled across both n8n and Make (formerly Integromat). They look similar on the surface — both use a visual, drag-and-drop workflow builder, both connect hundreds of apps, and both promise to save you hours every week. So why does choosing between them feel so confusing?
The honest answer: most comparisons are written by developers for developers. This one isn't. Let's break down what actually matters for a business owner who just wants things to work.
What Is Make?
Make is a cloud-based automation platform with a slick, visual interface. You build scenarios — their word for workflows — by connecting modules that represent different apps or actions. It's fast to start, requires zero installation, and has a generous free tier that lets you run up to 1,000 operations per month.
Make shines when you need:
- Quick automations between popular tools like Gmail, Slack, Airtable, or Shopify
- A visual, intuitive interface your team can learn in a day
- Reliable cloud hosting without managing any infrastructure
- Pre-built templates to get started in minutes
Real-world example: A small e-commerce store uses Make to automatically send a personalised thank-you email via Gmail whenever a new order comes in through Shopify, then logs that order to a Google Sheet for their accountant. Set up time: under 30 minutes.
What Is n8n?
n8n (pronounced
Turbotic makes it easy to implement these workflows without any coding.