n8n vs Make.com for Italian SMBs — Which to Choose in 2026?

Both n8n and Make.com (formerly Integromat) are powerful workflow automation platforms — but they serve different needs. For Italian SMBs in 2026, the choice depends on your technical capacity, the Italian tools you use, your data privacy requirements, and whether you want to self-host or use a cloud service.

This guide breaks down the real differences that matter for Italian PMI owners — not the generic feature comparison you'll find elsewhere.

What Are n8n and Make.com?

n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool. You can self-host it on your server (no monthly fees beyond hosting) or use n8n Cloud. It's developer-friendly, infinitely customisable, and particularly strong for complex multi-step automations and custom API integrations. Founded in Berlin in 2019, it now has 400+ native integrations.

Make.com (formerly Integromat, acquired by Celonis) is a cloud-native visual automation platform. It's known for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible to non-technical users. 1,500+ native integrations. Based in Prague, with strong European presence.

n8n vs Make.com: Full Comparison for Italian SMBs

Criteria	n8n	Make.com
Pricing	Free self-hosted; Cloud from €20/month	Free tier; paid from €9/month
Ease of use	Requires technical knowledge	Visual, beginner-friendly
Self-hosting	Yes (Docker, Linux, cloud VM)	No (cloud only)
GDPR data residency	Full control (EU hosting)	EU servers available
Custom code	Full JS/Python in nodes	Limited JS in modules
Danea Easyfatt integration	Custom HTTP node (SUPALABS built)	HTTP module (more setup)
SDI invoicing	Custom node available	Via HTTP module
AI/LLM nodes	Native Claude, GPT-4o, Gemini	OpenAI, Anthropic via HTTP
Community & support	Large community, active forum	Larger community, official support

When to Choose n8n for Your Italian PMI

Choose n8n when:

• You need custom Italian tool integrations — Danea Easyfatt, TeamSystem, MioDottore, Zucchetti don't have native Make connectors. n8n's HTTP node + custom code handles them natively.
• GDPR and data residency matter — self-hosting n8n on an Italian or EU VPS means your data never leaves your infrastructure.
• You have complex logic — multi-branch workflows, conditional logic based on Italian fiscal rules (IVA codes, Codice Fiscale validation), data transformation.
• You want to scale without paying per operation — n8n Cloud charges per workflow execution, but self-hosted is unlimited.
• You're working with a technical partner like SUPALABS — we've built n8n templates specifically for Italian tools and compliance requirements.

When to Choose Make.com for Your Italian PMI

Choose Make.com when:

• Your team will manage automations without developers — the visual canvas is genuinely easier for non-technical staff to understand and modify.
• You use mainstream SaaS tools — if your stack is Google Workspace + HubSpot + Shopify + Slack, Make has all of these as polished native connectors.
• You need to start quickly — Make's free tier and template library let you launch a first automation in an hour.
• Volume is low — under 10,000 operations/month, Make's €9/month plan is sufficient.

Cost Comparison: Real Numbers for Italian PMIs

Scenario	n8n Cost/Month	Make.com Cost/Month
Starter (5 automations, low volume)	€0 (self-hosted) or €20 (cloud)	€9–€16
Growth (20+ automations, 100K ops)	€50 (cloud) or €15 VPS	€29–€99
Enterprise (complex, high volume)	€150 cloud or €30 VPS	€299+

SUPALABS Recommendation for Italian PMIs

After implementing 35+ automations for Italian SMBs, our default recommendation is n8n self-hosted on a €15/month EU VPS for most clients. Reasons:

1. Italian tools work better with custom code — Danea's API, SDI XML parsing, INPS connectivity all need custom HTTP handling that's easier in n8n
2. GDPR compliance is simpler — data stays in Italy or EU, you control backups and logs
3. Cost at scale — a PMI running 50,000+ operations/month pays €15/month for VPS vs €99+ on Make
4. AI native — n8n has native Claude and GPT-4o nodes that make building AI-augmented workflows faster

We also build on Make.com for clients with non-technical teams who want to maintain flows themselves, or when the integration list perfectly matches Make's native connectors. See our full services or Italian SMB automation guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is n8n free for Italian SMBs?

Yes, n8n Community Edition is free and open-source. You pay only for hosting (a €10–€15/month VPS is sufficient for most PMIs). n8n Cloud starts at €20/month if you don't want to manage your own server.

Can Make.com integrate with Danea Easyfatt?

Yes, but not with a native connector. You'd use Make's HTTP module to call Danea's API — which requires more setup. n8n handles this similarly but with more flexibility via custom JavaScript nodes. SUPALABS has pre-built templates for both.

Which is better for GDPR compliance in Italy?

n8n self-hosted gives you complete data control — ideal for sensitive client data. Make.com offers EU data centres but data still passes through their infrastructure. For medical, legal, or financial Italian SMBs, n8n self-hosted is the safer choice.

Can I switch from Make to n8n later?

Yes, but it requires rebuilding your workflows. There's no automatic migration. If you're starting fresh, pick the right tool upfront — or work with SUPALABS to evaluate your specific needs.

What does SUPALABS charge to set up n8n for an Italian PMI?

A basic n8n setup with 3–5 automations (invoicing, CRM sync, WhatsApp notifications) starts at €3,500. Complex multi-system automations range from €8,000–€15,000. All projects include 3 months of maintenance and support.

Sources & References

• n8n.io — official documentation and pricing
• make.com — official documentation and pricing
• GDPR.eu — data residency requirements for EU businesses
• SUPALABS — 35+ Italian PMI automation implementations, 2023–2026