This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Ali Farhat
Why Migrate from Make.com to n8n
Make.com (formerly Integromat) is ideal for quick automation builds. But when workflows become business-critical, developers need more control, transparency, and flexibility. That’s where n8n shines.
n8n advantages include:
- Open-source architecture with Git-based JSON workflows
- Execution transparency and customizable error handling
- Flexible hosting (cloud, Docker, on-prem)
- Extendable via custom nodes and JavaScript logic
You can read our full migration guide here:
https://scalevise.com/resources/make-to-n8n-migration-guide/
Step 1: Audit Existing Make.com Workflows
Start with an overview of your current scenarios. Document:
- Trigger types (Webhooks, Schedulers)
- Module complexity (Routers, Filters, Iterators)
- Data sources (Airtable, HTTP APIs, Google Sheets)
- Output channels (Slack, Email, CMS)
{
"name": "Lead Capture Workflow",
"trigger": "Webhook",
"modules": [
"HTTP Request",
"Router",
"Airtable",
"Slack Notification"
],
"schedule": "Hourly"
}
Classify each scenario by complexity:
- Simple: few modules, low frequency
- Medium: multiple branches, conditionals
- Complex: looping, error handling, external APIs
Step 2: Rebuild in n8n
Translate each flow module-by-module. Use Webhook, HTTP Request, IF, and Function nodes to replicate logic from Make.
Use expressions and Set nodes to manipulate data mid-flow.
{
"name": "LeadCapture",
"nodes": [
{ "type": "Webhook", "parameters": { "path": "/lead" } },
{ "type": "HTTP Request", "parameters": { "method": "POST", "url": "https://api.leads.com" } },
{ "type": "IF", "parameters": { "conditions": { "responseCode": "200" } } },
{ "type": "Airtable", "parameters": { "table": "Leads" } }
],
"active": true
}
Compare these features between Make and n8n:
| Feature | Make.com | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Visual flow builder | Yes | Yes |
| JavaScript custom logic | Limited | Built-in Function node |
| Retry & error handling | Basic | Fully customizable |
| Hosting | Cloud only | Self-host or Cloud |
| Export/import workflows | Proprietary | Git-friendly JSON |
Step 3: Parallel Testing Before Cutover
Before decommissioning Make.com, run both platforms in parallel.
- Use test payloads or webhook simulators
- Match execution timestamps
- Log inputs and outputs for parity
- Set up alerting via Slack/Telegram for errors
{
"nodes": [
{ "type": "Webhook", "name": "TestInput" },
{ "type": "Function", "name": "LogData", "parameters": {
"functionCode": "console.log(items); return items;"
}
}
]
}
Step 4: Error Handling & Scaling
Don’t just build the “happy path”. Plan for:
- Invalid API responses
- Network timeouts
- Rate limits
- Large batch operations (e.g., split into chunks)
For advanced scaling:
- Use n8n's queue mode
- Store execution state in PostgreSQL
- Integrate with monitoring tools (Prometheus, Grafana)
queue:
mode: 'redis'
prefix: 'n8n_'
redis:
host: 'localhost'
port: 6379
db: 0
password: 'your_redis_password'
When to Stay on Make.com
Keep lightweight, infrequent, or marketing-only automations on Make. It’s fast, simple, and user-friendly.
But for GDPR-sensitive workflows, AI agents, internal ops, or infrastructure-critical flows, n8n is the better long-term choice.
We also compared Make vs n8n vs Zapier here:
https:///scalevise.com/resources/make-vs-n8n-vs-zapier-which-no-code-automation-tool-should-you-use/
Summary
- Audit your workflows by trigger and complexity
- Rebuild logic in n8n using JS and IF/Function nodes
- Test both platforms in parallel
- Scale and monitor with error handling and queue systems
- Host where and how you want
Need help migrating?
At Scalevise, we help developers and teams migrate entire Make.com infrastructures to n8n — with strategy, testing, and CI/CD in mind.
Explore our full migration guide
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Ali Farhat
Ali Farhat | Sciencx (2025-07-29T07:40:58+00:00) Migrating from Make.com to n8n: Lessons Learned & Flow Design Tips. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/07/29/migrating-from-make-com-to-n8n-lessons-learned-flow-design-tips/
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