n8n vs. Make.com: Best Automation Platform for Swiss SMEs

When Swiss SMEs want to automate processes, they often face a choice: n8n or Make.com (formerly Integromat)? Both tools promise workflow automation without programming skills. But the differences are bigger than they appear at first glance - especially regarding data protection and hosting.

n8n: The self-hosted alternative

n8n is an open-source automation platform that you can run on your own server. This is the crucial difference from Make.com and the main reason we recommend n8n for Swiss SMEs.

• Self-hosting: Data never leaves Switzerland. Ideal for FADP compliance and sensitive business data.
• Open source: Full transparency over the code. No vendor lock-in risks.
• Unlimited workflows: No limit on executions per month - costs scale with infrastructure, not usage.
• AI integration: Native OpenAI, Anthropic, and LangChain nodes for complex AI workflows.

Make.com: The no-code cloud solution

Make.com is a cloud-based platform with a visual drag-and-drop interface. Its strength lies in simplicity:

• Beginner-friendly: No technical knowledge needed. Workflows can be created via drag-and-drop.
• Large app library: Over 1,000 pre-built integrations, including Swiss tools.
• No server maintenance: Make.com handles hosting, updates, and security.
• Affordable for small volumes: Starter plan from approx. CHF 10/month.

The decisive difference: Data protection

Make.com processes your data in the EU (AWS data centers). For many Swiss SMEs, this is acceptable - but not for all. If you work with sensitive customer data, financial data, or health data, self-hosting can be the FADP-compliant path.

n8n on a Swiss server (e.g., Infomaniak, Exoscale, or Azure Switzerland North) means: your data stays in Switzerland. Workflows run on infrastructure under Swiss law.

Cost comparison

• Make.com: CHF 10-180/month depending on plan. Costs increase with number of operations.
• n8n self-hosted: CHF 15-50/month for server infrastructure. No usage fees, unlimited workflows.
• n8n Cloud: CHF 20-60/month (EU hosting, not self-hosted).

Our recommendation

For Swiss SMEs with data protection requirements, we recommend n8n self-hosted. We handle setup, configuration, and ongoing maintenance - you benefit from unlimited automations with full data sovereignty. For simple marketing automations without sensitive data, Make.com is a solid choice.