Automation Tool Comparison
n8n vs. Make —
Which Automation Tool Fits Austrian SMEs?
A neutral, honest comparison — not sponsored by either tool. We help Austrian businesses choose the right automation platform based on their actual needs, team size, data protection requirements, and budget.
Side-by-side comparison
n8n vs. Make — the key criteria.
| Criterion | n8n | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (self-hosted) or from ~€24/mo (Cloud) | From €9/mo (1,000 ops) |
| GDPR / Data control | Maximum — fully self-hosted possible | EU servers, DPA available |
| Ease of use | Medium — some tech knowledge helpful | High — very intuitive for beginners |
| Integrations | 400+ + custom via API/code | 1,500+ ready-made apps |
| Custom code | Yes — JavaScript & Python nodes | Limited — basic functions only |
| German support | Community + docs (DE available) | Support in German available |
| Self-hosted | Yes — Docker, VPS, own server | No — cloud-only |
| Scalability | Unlimited (self-hosted) | Pricing by operations — can get expensive |
Decision guide
When to choose which — and when neither.
n8n
Choose n8n when:
- Data protection is critical (medical, legal, financial data)
- You want self-hosted for full GDPR control
- You have a technical team or IT partner
- You need custom logic / code in workflows
- You expect high workflow volume (cost advantage)
- You want to avoid vendor lock-in
Make
Choose Make when:
- Fast start without IT setup overhead
- No internal IT team
- Standard workflows with popular apps
- Non-technical team members build automations
- Low to medium workflow volume
- Budget is tight — lower entry cost
Neither — custom solution
Consider custom development when:
- Highly complex business logic that no-code tools cannot handle
- Deep integration with proprietary/legacy systems required
- Real-time processing at high scale
- You're building a product, not an internal tool
- Regulatory requirements demand custom audit trails
We build custom automation solutions too — from simple API integrations to complex event-driven architectures.
GDPR — the Austrian angle
Data protection is not an afterthought for Austrian businesses.
Austria's data protection authority (DSB) is among the most active in the EU. For automation workflows that process customer, employee, or patient data, the tool choice directly affects your GDPR compliance. n8n self-hosted gives you the clearest legal position — your data stays on your servers, no data processing agreement needed with n8n itself.
Full GDPR control — data stays on your infrastructure
EU servers, DPA available — check data flows
EU origin (Czech), DPA available — data passes through Make servers
US-based — requires Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) for EU data
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Is n8n really free?
n8n is open source and can be self-hosted for free — you only pay for your own server (typically €5–20/month for a VPS). For teams without their own servers, n8n Cloud starts at around €24/month. Important: "free" only applies to the self-hosted variant, and it requires someone to set it up and maintain it.
Can Make be used in a GDPR-compliant way for Austrian businesses?
Yes, with limitations. Make (formerly Integromat) has its origins in the EU (Czech Republic) and offers data processing agreements. However, data flows through Make's servers — for sensitive data (clients, patients, employee data) you should check whether this meets your requirements. For maximum data control, n8n self-hosted is the better choice.
What is the biggest practical difference between n8n and Make?
Make is easier for beginners: visual scenarios, intuitive interface, fast start without programming knowledge. n8n is more powerful and flexible: more complex logic, custom code possible (JavaScript/Python), self-hosted for full data control. For standard workflows without an IT team: Make. For complex, data-sensitive, or API-intensive workflows: n8n.
Is it worth self-hosting n8n or should I use n8n Cloud?
n8n Cloud is worthwhile if you want to start quickly without server setup, have no internal IT team, and data protection is not the primary decision criterion. Self-hosted is worthwhile if you need full GDPR control, have a technical team, run many workflows (cost advantage from around 50+ workflows), or process sensitive customer data. We help with the decision and set up both.
Still unsure? We help you decide — for free.
In a free 30-minute call we clarify your use case, data protection requirements, and team setup — and tell you honestly which tool (or combination) makes sense for your business.
Book free 30-min consultation