A hands-on n8n vs Make.com test for one AI workflow
The writer says they are not a developer and built the same workflow in n8n and Make.com. The workflow took form responses, summarized them with AI, sent them to a Google Sheet, and sent a notification. Make.com was faster to set up, while n8n took longer but handled a conditional step based on the AI result more cleanly.
Key points
- The writer built the same workflow in both n8n and Make.com.
- Make.com was quicker for the first build, with more guided setup.
- n8n took more time because it left more choices to the user.
- n8n handled a conditional step based on the AI result more cleanly.
- The writer sees Make.com as better for simple workflows and n8n as better for workflows that may get more complex.
Quick term guide
- workflow
- A repeatable set of steps for getting a task done.
- responses
- An OpenAI API feature for creating and handling model answers.
- conditional step
- A step that changes what happens next based on a result or answer.
- AI agents
- AI agents are AI tools that can carry out steps toward a goal, not just answer once.
- automations
- Set workflows that run several steps without a person doing each one manually.
- automation
- A way to make repeated work happen without doing every step by hand.
- AI calls
- Requests sent to an AI system to do something, such as summarize text or make a decision.
- workflows
- The specific order of steps taken to finish a piece of work.