Tool Comparison

Make vs n8n vs Zapier: The 2026 SME Guide

Zapier is the most well-known tool, but also the most expensive. n8n is free when self-hosted. Make offers the best value. Here's how to choose based on your reality.

The three most popular automation platforms — Make (formerly Integromat), n8n and Zapier — serve the same purpose: connecting your tools and automating workflows. But differences in pricing, flexibility and compliance are significant. At SAI, we deploy all three based on each client's needs. Here's our field comparison, not theoretical.

Comparison Table

CriterionMaken8nZapier
Monthly price (entry)~$15/monthFree (self-hosted)~$30/month
Integrations~1,500~1,000 + unlimited API7,000+
Learning curveMediumHighLow
Native AIMaia AI (2026)LangChain + 70 AI nodesAI Actions
Data hostingEU (GDPR)Your choice (Canada possible)USA
Law 25 compliancePartialFull (self-hosted)Limited
Ideal forTechnical SMEsRegulated/dev teamsNon-technical

01Make: the best value for money

Make (formerly Integromat) is our default recommendation for SMEs. The visual interface is intuitive, pricing is competitive (~$15/month vs ~$30 for Zapier), and ~1,500 integrations cover 95% of needs. EU hosting offers better Law 25 compliance than Zapier.

02n8n: the sovereign choice for sensitive data

n8n is open-source and can be self-hosted in Canada, ensuring full Law 25 compliance. It's ideal for regulated sectors (healthcare, finance, government). The learning curve is steeper, but 70 native AI nodes with LangChain make it the most powerful platform for complex workflows.

03Zapier: simple but expensive at scale

Zapier is the easiest to pick up with 7,000+ integrations. But costs escalate fast: an average workflow costs 3x to 10x more than Make, and up to 50x more than self-hosted n8n. For a first simple workflow, it's a good entry point. For scaling, it's rarely the right choice.

04Why let SAI choose for you?

Choosing the right tool is just the start. Implementing it correctly, connecting it to your existing systems (HubSpot, Salesforce, Gmail, AB Magique) and maintaining it over time requires expertise that SAI brings from day 1. We choose the tool based on your context, not our preferences.

Our Verdict

Make for most SMEs. n8n for sensitive data and advanced AI needs. Zapier only for simple, one-off workflows. SAI implements all three — we choose based on your reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we migrate from Zapier to Make or n8n?

Yes. SAI has migrated several clients from Zapier to Make or n8n, reducing costs by 60-90% while adding features. Migration typically takes 1 to 2 weeks.

Is n8n really free?

Self-hosting is free (open-source). n8n's cloud version starts at ~$20/month. Self-hosting requires a server (~$10-20/month) and technical skills — SAI handles all of that for you.

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