n8n vs Make vs Custom Scripts: When to Use What for AI Workflow Automation

I've built automations with all three approaches. Here's when each one wins and when it doesn't.

The Quick Answer

• 
  Make (Integromat) — Best for non-technical teams, simple integrations, < 10 steps


• 
  n8n — Best for technical teams, complex logic, self-hosted, AI integrations


• 
  Custom scripts — Best for unique requirements, high volume, full control

Make (Integromat)

Strengths

• Beautiful visual builder


• 1,500+ pre-built integrations


• Zero infrastructure to manage


• Non-engineers can maintain it

Weaknesses

• Gets expensive at scale ($9-29/mo for basic, $99+ for real usage)


• Complex branching logic is awkward


• AI/LLM integrations are limited


• Vendor lock-in

Best for

• Marketing automation (email sequences, social posting)


• CRM sync between tools


• Simple approval workflows


• Teams where a non-engineer needs to maintain it

n8n

Strengths

• Self-hosted = no per-execution costs


• First-class AI agent support


• JavaScript/Python code nodes for custom logic


• Community nodes for niche integrations


• Can run on a $5/mo VPS

Weaknesses

• Requires some technical skill


• UI is less polished than Make


• Self-hosting means you manage uptime


• Fewer native integrations than Make

Best for

• AI-powered workflows (Claude, GPT, embeddings)


• Data processing pipelines


• Workflows with complex branching


• Cost-sensitive teams processing high volume


• Developers who want control

Custom Scripts (Python/Node)

Strengths

• Total control over every aspect


• Best performance at scale


• No platform limitations


• Can do literally anything

Weaknesses

• Highest build cost


• Requires developer to maintain


• No visual monitoring dashboard (unless you build one)


• Harder to hand off to non-technical team members

Best for

• High-volume data processing (1M+ records)


• Unique integrations with no existing connectors


• Real-time event processing


• ML model inference in the pipeline


• When the automation IS the product

Decision Matrix

My Recommendation

Start with n8n for most automation projects. Here's why:

1. 
   Free to start — self-host on any cheap VPS


2. 
   AI-native — first-class Claude and GPT nodes


3. 
   Escape hatch — code nodes let you do anything Make can't


4. 
   Growing fast — the community is shipping new nodes weekly

Use Make when the person maintaining the automation is non-technical.

Use custom scripts when you need raw performance, unique integrations, or the automation is complex enough that a visual builder becomes a liability.

Real-World Example

A client needed: form submission → AI analysis → CRM entry → email notification → Slack alert

• 
  Make: $49/mo, 2 hours to build, works but AI step is awkward


• 
  n8n: $0/mo (self-hosted), 3 hours to build, AI step is clean


• 
  Custom: $0/mo, 8 hours to build, overkill for this use case

We went with n8n. It's been running for 3 months with zero issues.

Not sure which approach fits your workflow? Get an async audit →