make vs n8n
Make vs n8n — features, pricing, and which to choose for your SEO workflow in 2026.
Quick Verdict
Both Make and n8n solve the same core problem: automating SEO workflows without writing code. But they take dramatically different approaches. Make focuses on visual simplicity and enterprise reliability, while n8n champions open-source flexibility and self-hosting control.
The choice comes down to whether you prioritize ease of use and professional support (Make) or technical control and cost savings (n8n). Make dominates with polished UX and enterprise features, while n8n wins on customization and total cost of ownership.
Feature Comparison
Make excels at visual workflow building with its drag-and-drop interface that non-technical users can master quickly. It offers 1,400+ pre-built integrations including every major SEO tool (Ahrefs, SEMrush, Screaming Frog, Google Analytics), plus solid error handling and automatic retry mechanisms. Make's scenarios can handle complex conditional logic, data transformation, and parallel processing without touching code. n8n provides 400+ integrations but requires more technical setup. Where it shines is customization — you can build custom nodes, modify existing ones, and integrate any API with JavaScript snippets. The workflow editor is functional but less polished than Make's. n8n's biggest advantage is self-hosting: you own your data, can scale infinitely, and aren't bound by SaaS limitations. For SEO agencies handling sensitive client data, this matters. Both platforms handle AI integrations well, but Make's OpenAI and Claude nodes are more plug-and-play, while n8n requires more configuration but offers deeper control over API calls and response handling.
Pricing Comparison
Make starts at $9/month for 1,000 operations, scaling to $16/month for 10,000 operations. Enterprise plans reach $299/month with advanced features like priority support and dedicated success managers. The operations model can get expensive fast — a single complex SEO audit might consume hundreds of operations. n8n offers a compelling alternative: free forever if you self-host, or $20/month for their cloud version with 2,500 workflow executions. The self-hosted option eliminates ongoing costs entirely — just pay for server infrastructure. For high-volume SEO operations, this represents massive savings. Heavy users could save thousands annually by self-hosting n8n instead of paying Make's per-operation fees.
Best For
Make is better for SEO teams wanting immediate productivity without technical overhead. If you need enterprise support, advanced conditional logic, and seamless integrations with premium SEO tools, Make delivers out of the box. It's the right choice for agencies billing clients for automation services and needing reliability over cost optimization. n8n suits technical SEO professionals comfortable with server management and JavaScript customization. Choose n8n if you're processing massive data volumes, need complete data privacy, or want to build proprietary SEO tools without vendor lock-in. It's ideal for in-house SEO teams with development resources.
The Verdict
For most SEO professionals, Make is the better choice. Its visual interface, extensive pre-built integrations, and enterprise reliability outweigh the higher costs. You'll be productive immediately rather than spending weeks on setup and maintenance. However, if you're technically skilled and processing high volumes of SEO data, n8n's self-hosted option offers unbeatable value and control. The initial setup investment pays off quickly for power users who would otherwise hit Make's operation limits.