n8n, Make or Zapier – which automation tool for a small business
All three help you connect software without much programming. The differences are in ease of use, pricing and control over your data.
| Criterion | Zapier | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of learning | Easiest, step-by-step interface | Moderate, drag-and-drop flowchart interface | Requires more technical understanding |
| Multi-branch workflows | Possible, suits simple workflows | Strong at multi-branch workflows | Flexible, you can add your own code |
| Where it runs | Cloud service | Cloud service | Cloud, or self-hosted on your own server |
| Who it's for | Non-technical people who need to get going quickly | People who want more complex workflows at a reasonable cost | Businesses that want to keep their own data and have someone to run it |
Four questions to help you choose
- Who will run it? If nobody on the team is technical, prioritise the easiest tool.
- How sensitive is the data? If the data must stay on your own server, consider a self-hosted option.
- How many times a month does the workflow run? Per-run pricing has a big effect on cost as volume grows.
- Is the software you use already supported? Check the list of integrations before deciding.
Prices and features of these tools change often, so check each vendor's official page before signing up. Need someone to review your workflows with you? Book a free consultation.
