Which No-Code Platform Gives Nonprofits More Automation Power: n8n or Make?
Nonprofits evaluating automation platforms inevitably land on two options: n8n and Make (formerly Integromat). Both are powerful, both are affordable, and both can transform your operations. But they're built on different philosophies that matter for nonprofit use cases.
This comparison will help you choose the right platform for your organization's specific needs.
Platform Philosophy: The Fundamental Difference
n8n: Developer-Friendly, Self-Host Optional
n8n was built by developers for developers, then made accessible to non-technical users. Its core strengths:
- Open-source with self-hosting option
- Code nodes for custom logic when needed
- Fair-code license allows inspection of all code
- Strong data transformation capabilities
- Active developer community
Make: Visual-First, Cloud-Native
Make prioritizes visual workflow design and ease of use:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Cloud-only (no self-hosting)
- Extensive pre-built templates
- Strong error handling visualization
- Large library of app integrations
Pricing Comparison for Nonprofits
n8n Pricing
- Self-hosted: Free forever (you pay for hosting)
- Cloud Starter: $20/month for 2,500 executions
- Cloud Pro: $50/month for 10,000 executions
- No per-user fees on any tier
Make Pricing
- Free: 1,000 operations/month
- Core: $9/month for 10,000 operations
- Pro: $16/month for 10,000 operations + advanced features
- Nonprofit discount: 25% off (must apply)
Cost Analysis
For a typical nonprofit running 5,000 automations monthly:
- n8n self-hosted: $5-10/month (hosting only)
- n8n cloud: $20/month
- Make with nonprofit discount: $12/month
Make appears cheaper, but n8n's execution model is more generous for complex workflows.
Feature Comparison for Nonprofit Use Cases
Donor Management Automation
n8n advantages:
- Better for complex data transformations
- Can handle custom CRM field mapping
- Self-hosting keeps donor data on your servers
Make advantages:
- More pre-built nonprofit CRM integrations
- Easier to set up basic donation workflows
- Better visualization of donor journey automations
Grant Reporting
n8n advantages:
- Powerful data aggregation from multiple sources
- Custom calculation nodes for metrics
- Can generate complex formatted reports
Make advantages:
- Templates for common reporting workflows
- Built-in scheduling with timezone support
- Easier to set up recurring report generation
Multi-System Integration
n8n advantages:
- HTTP request node handles any API
- Better for connecting legacy systems
- Code nodes for edge cases
Make advantages:
- 400+ pre-built app connections
- Most integrations work out of the box
- Less configuration required
Ease of Use
For Non-Technical Staff
Make wins for staff with no technical background. Its visual interface is more intuitive, errors are easier to understand, and templates provide starting points for common workflows.
n8n has improved significantly but still assumes some technical comfort. The interface can feel overwhelming initially.
For Technical Staff
n8n wins when you have developers or technical staff. Code nodes provide escape hatches for complex logic, and the self-hosted option gives complete control.
Learning Curve
- Make: 2-4 hours for basic workflows
- n8n: 4-8 hours for basic workflows
- Both: 20-40 hours for advanced mastery
Data Security and Privacy
n8n: Self-Hosting Option
For nonprofits handling sensitive data (healthcare, domestic violence services, etc.), n8n's self-hosting means data never leaves your servers. This simplifies HIPAA, FERPA, and other compliance requirements.
Make: Cloud Security
Make is SOC 2 Type II certified and offers GDPR compliance. For most nonprofits, cloud hosting is sufficient. Make can sign BAAs for healthcare organizations.
Recommendation by Nonprofit Type
Choose n8n if:
- You have technical staff or consultant support
- You handle sensitive data requiring self-hosting
- You need complex data transformations
- You want to avoid vendor lock-in
- Budget is extremely tight (self-hosted is free)
Choose Make if:
- Your team is non-technical
- You need to move fast with pre-built templates
- You use common nonprofit tools (Bloomerang, Kindful, etc.)
- You prefer visual workflow debugging
- You want official support included
Migration Considerations
Both platforms can be switched later, but migration requires rebuilding workflows. Consider:
- Document your automations thoroughly
- Start with simpler platform if unsure
- Test critical workflows extensively before full migration
- Budget 2-4 hours per workflow for migration
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we use both platforms?
Yes, some organizations use Make for simple staff-built automations and n8n for complex technical workflows. This adds cost but provides flexibility.
What about Zapier?
Zapier is easier than both but significantly more expensive at scale and less powerful for complex workflows. It's best for organizations needing only basic automations.
Do either offer nonprofit discounts?
Make offers 25% off for registered nonprofits. n8n's self-hosted option is free, making discounts less relevant.
Get Help Choosing
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