Choosing between n8n, Make, and Zapier is one of the most important decisions when starting to automate your business. Each platform has distinct strengths and limitations. In this comparison we analyze pricing, technical capabilities, ease of use, and the scenarios where each one shines.

Zapier: the standard for simple automations

Zapier is the best-known platform, with over 6,000 integrations available. Its strength is simplicity: creating a 2-3 step "Zap" takes minutes, ideal for non-technical users. The free plan allows 100 tasks/month and paid plans start at $19.99/month (750 tasks). For SMBs with simple needs — syncing form leads to the CRM, sending automatic notifications, posting on social media — Zapier is enough. Its limitation: complex flows with conditions, loops, or error handling quickly become expensive.

Make (formerly Integromat): visual, powerful, and affordable

Make offers a visual workflow editor that lets you build complex automations with conditional logic, iterators, error handling, and variables — features that are premium in Zapier. With over 1,500 integrations and pricing from $9/month (10,000 operations), Make is significantly more affordable at high volumes. Its learning curve is moderate: it takes 1-2 weeks to master the advanced features. It is the preferred option of automation agencies in LATAM for delivering client projects.

n8n: maximum flexibility with self-hosting

n8n is the open-source option you can host on your own server (free) or use in its cloud (from $20/month). The advantage is total: complete control over your data, no execution limits when self-hosted, the ability to create custom nodes with JavaScript, and access to advanced features like webhooks, sub-workflows, and parallel executions. It is the tool chosen by technical teams that need custom integrations with proprietary APIs or complex AI-powered workflows.

Comparison table: pricing and capabilities

On price per volume, Make wins: $9/month for 10,000 operations vs Zapier at $19.99/month for 750 tasks. For self-hosting and total control, n8n is unbeatable: $0 if you have a server. In native integrations, Zapier leads with 6,000+. In AI capabilities, n8n and Make have native nodes for OpenAI, Claude, and local models. For Spanish-language support, Make is the best option with fully translated documentation and interface. All three platforms offer WhatsApp Business API integration.

Recommendation by business profile

For business owners without a technical team who need basic automations: Zapier. For SMBs seeking a balance between power and price with medium-complexity processes: Make. For companies with a technical team or agencies implementing automation for clients: n8n. Our recommendation for most SMBs in LATAM: start with Make for its cost-to-features ratio, and migrate to n8n when requirements justify the investment in your own infrastructure.