The verdict in three sentences
For a 50-person services SME in Singapore that wants to automate quotes, client onboarding and invoicing, Make starts, as a 2026 order of magnitude, at SGD 15 to 45 a month, self-hosted n8n costs about SGD 30 a month in server fees, and custom development runs SGD 12,000 to 37,000. The right choice depends less on entry price than on operation volume and how critical the flows are. Above 50,000 operations a month, Make's per-operation billing changes the decision and n8n or custom code become more cost-effective.
Three approaches, three cost logics
The three options are not billed the same way, and that is the source of most bad surprises. Make counts every module run as an operation or credit. n8n counts workflow executions in its cloud version, and nothing at all when self-hosted. Custom code costs mostly at build time, then almost nothing per use.
| 2026 criterion | Make | Self-hosted n8n | Custom development |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | SGD 15 to 45 a month | SGD 0 licence, SGD 30 a month server | SGD 12,000 to 37,000 |
| Billing unit | Operation per module | None when self-hosted | Fixed build price |
| Time to set up a simple flow | 2 to 4 hours | 3 to 6 hours | 2 to 5 days |
| Skills needed | Trained business user | Technical profile for server and updates | Agency or development team |
| Error handling and retries | Decent, limited | Good, configurable | Full, tailored |
| Where data lives | Vendor servers | Your server, in Singapore if needed | Your infrastructure |
| Main risk | Bill rising with volume | Neglected maintenance | Upfront cost and vendor dependency |
Real cost by volume
Take three flows: a quote generated from the CRM and sent for e-signature, client onboarding with account creation and a shared folder, and monthly invoicing synced with Xero. Depending on activity, these flows consume from a few thousand to several hundred thousand operations a month, since every step counts.
| Monthly volume | Make (order of magnitude) | Self-hosted n8n (server + 2 h maintenance at SGD 90) | Custom SGD 22,000 amortised over 3 years + hosting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 operations | SGD 15 to 30 | SGD 210 | SGD 700 |
| 50,000 operations | SGD 75 to 135 | SGD 210 | SGD 700 |
| 200,000 operations | SGD 300 to 520 | SGD 240 | SGD 720 |
| 500,000 operations | SGD 750 to 1,350 | SGD 270 | SGD 730 |
| 1,000,000 operations | SGD 1,500 and more | SGD 330 | SGD 750 |
The table shows a counter-intuitive result: at low volume, Make is unbeatable, because n8n's maintenance time and the custom build's amortisation weigh more than the licence. The tipping point towards n8n sits around 100,000 to 150,000 operations a month. Custom code is not justified by volume alone, but when flows become critical: complex business rules, audit requirements, deep integration with internal software, or when automation is part of the product sold to clients.
How to decide without mistakes
Start by mapping the flows and counting steps: a 12-module onboarding run 300 times a month already means 3,600 operations. Prototype on Make to validate the logic in a few days. If volume exceeds 50,000 operations or data must stay in Singapore under your PDPA policies, move to self-hosted n8n, with a named person in charge of server maintenance. Keep custom code for the 1 or 2 flows where an error is expensive, such as invoicing, and leave the rest on the no-code tool. This mixed architecture is the most common in SMEs of this size.
Mini case study
Daniel, managing director of a 50-person IT services firm in Singapore (illustrative persona), automates three flows consuming about 120,000 operations a month. On Make, the bill reaches about SGD 225 a month, or SGD 2,700 a year. On self-hosted n8n, he pays SGD 30 in server fees and 2 hours of maintenance at SGD 90, so SGD 210 a month and SGD 2,520 a year: the gap is small at this volume. But activity is expected to double within 18 months. At 250,000 operations, Make would rise to about SGD 450 a month, against SGD 240 for n8n, saving SGD 2,520 a year. The flows themselves save the admin team 25 hours a month, valued at SGD 50 an hour, or SGD 15,000 a year, whichever tool is chosen.
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FAQ
Make or n8n: which is cheaper in 2026?
Below 50,000 operations a month, Make is usually cheaper, around SGD 15 to 135 a month. Beyond 100,000 to 150,000 operations, self-hosted n8n becomes more economical, provided its maintenance is handled.
When should we move to custom development?
When a flow is critical, subject to audit or built into the product sold to clients. As a 2026 order of magnitude, budget SGD 12,000 to 37,000 for 3 to 5 robust flows.
Is self-hosted n8n really free?
The community licence is free for internal use, but the server costs SGD 15 to 60 a month and updates take 1 to 3 hours a month. Neglecting this maintenance is the first cause of outages.
Can we migrate from Make to n8n later?
Yes, but scenarios do not import directly: they must be rebuilt. Allow 2 to 6 hours per flow, which stays reasonable if the logic was well documented.
Does the data stay in Singapore?
With self-hosted n8n or custom code, you choose the hosting provider, for example a Singapore region. Make hosts in Europe or the US depending on the plan, which you should check against your PDPA obligations.
Let's scope your project. List the flows you want to automate and their monthly volume: we will compare Make, n8n and custom code for you, with an indicative budget, a 3-year projected monthly cost and a setup timeline. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
