Make
Automation & Workflows
Builds visual, multi-step automations for a fraction of what Zapier charges.
n8n
Free automation you can run on your own server, with AI agents built in.
Open sourceWorks with Claude Code
Visit website What is it?
n8n is a workflow builder you can run on your own server for free, or pay to have n8n host it for you. Like Make, it uses a visual canvas where you link steps together.
It has become the go-to tool for building AI agents without code. You can drop in Claude or another model as a step, give it tools and memory, and let it decide what to do with incoming emails, documents or chat messages. Because it is open source, there are thousands of community templates to copy from.
Self-hosting means you look after updates, backups and security yourself, which is a real job. If that sounds like a chore, the cloud version removes the hassle for a monthly fee.
Who it's for
Teams that want full control of their data and automations, or anyone building AI agents on a budget.
Best for
- AI agents that act on email or chat
- Self-hosted automation
- Unlimited runs for a fixed cost
- Custom code steps when needed
Why it made the list
It is the most capable free option and the strongest of the three for AI-driven workflows.
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