n8n vs Make vs Zapier: Why I Made the Switch and What I Learned

I switched to n8n after grappling with some limitations in Zapier and Make (formerly Integromat), and it has worked out well for me. Working with IoT in Kenya presents unique challenges, from budget-friendly hardware to unreliable internet connections. Each automation tool has its specific use, but here's why n8n has become my main tool for managing over 2,500 IoT devices.

The cost factor

Running over 2,500 IoT devices is expensive, and every dollar counts when budgets are tight. Zapier's pricing can become very high with thousands of monthly operations. Make offers more generous operation limits, but n8n's self-hosting option was a major improvement for me. It allowed me to control costs tightly while scaling infrastructure as needed. Running n8n on a local server saved us about $200 a month compared to the Zapier plan we would have needed. That might sound small, but it’s significant for a startup in Nairobi. Plus, self-hosting meant I wasn't reliant on consistent internet connectivity to a third-party server, which is essential when your connection is spotty.

Customization freedom

Managing a fleet of IoT devices often requires tailored solutions. I realized this after finding Zapier's structure too rigid. While Zapier has a large library of integrations, it didn’t offer the flexibility I needed. n8n allowed me to script custom nodes into my automation workflows using JavaScript. Once, we needed a custom node to process sensor data differently based on dynamic inputs. I managed it in a weekend with n8n. Here's a small snippet of how I handled some JSON data from my devices:

const sensorData = JSON.parse($input.item.json.data);
const { temperature, humidity } = sensorData;

if (temperature > 30) {
  $node.alert.send({
    webhookUrl: 'https://my-webhook-url',
    body: { message: 'Temperature Alert!', temp: temperature },
  });
}

Having this control without needing additional tools or elaborate workarounds was refreshing. n8n is like having LEGO blocks for automation, letting you build anything without limits.

Intermittent connectivity

Those working in areas with stable, high-speed internet often overlook the importance of resilience in automation. In Kenya, internet hiccups are frequent, which shaped how I evaluated these platforms. Zapier and Make rely heavily on consistent internet access. Their cloud-based nature can lead to frequent interruptions if the connection drops. With n8n, hosting it on a local server reduced our dependency on external network stability. This setup decreased failures in data collection and processing by about 25%, a vital improvement for reliable operations.

For example, we implemented a retry mechanism for critical API calls, and it significantly improved data integrity. Check out this simple retry logic we set up:

const maxRetries = 3;
let attempts = 0;

while (attempts < maxRetries) {
  try {
    const response = await $node.httpRequest.get('https://some-api.com');
    break;
  } catch (error) {
    attempts++;
    if (attempts === maxRetries) {
      $node.logger.error('Max retries reached');
    }
  }
}

This example shows how n8n allows for more customized error handling, making it essential for operations in environments like mine.

Learning curve and community support

n8n has a steeper learning curve than the other two, and I spent a few solid days reading docs and searching online. However, the n8n community is great. It reminded me of my early days tinkering with open-source hardware projects, finding a collective eager to share solutions and ideas. The transition was initially challenging, but I haven’t looked back. The hands-on learning was refreshing, and it ultimately gave me a deeper understanding of automation flows.

Real-world impact

Using n8n in our workflow changed our operations significantly. We saw a 30% increase in processing efficiency over the previously used tools, not just theoretically but in how quickly and reliably our automated alerts and processes ran.

The next step

Looking ahead, I’m excited to explore advanced n8n features like custom user interfaces and integrating other open-source tools. I'm even considering contributing to n8n's codebase myself. For developers managing IoT environments, especially in areas with infrastructure challenges, n8n is worth trying. The blend of cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and adaptability to low-quality connection scenarios makes it a reliable partner. Real success is about having a tool that works well under the true constraints you face.