Hands-on comparison of Zapier and Make for business automation. Real pricing analysis shows Make saves $755/year on average. Which wins for your use case?
Zapier vs Make 2025: Which No-Code Automation Tool is Right for Your Business?
Last updated: December 2025
You need to automate something. You've heard of Zapier and Make. Which one should you use?
We tested both platforms extensively to give you a data-driven answer—not vendor marketing.
The short answer: It depends on what you're building.
The long answer: Here's everything you need to know to make the right choice.
The Quick Comparison
| Factor |
Zapier |
Make |
| Best for |
Simple automations, beginners |
Complex workflows, power users |
| Integrations |
7,000+ |
1,800+ |
| Ease of use |
Very easy |
Moderate learning curve |
| Pricing |
Higher (per task) |
Lower (per operation) |
| Free plan |
100 tasks/month, 2-step Zaps |
1,000 ops/month, unlimited steps |
| Complex logic |
Limited |
Excellent |
| Speed |
Fast setup |
Fast execution |
TL;DR:
- Choose Zapier if you want simplicity and have straightforward needs
- Choose Make if you need complex logic and want to save money on volume
Understanding the Basics
How Zapier Works
Zapier uses a linear model: "When this happens, do that."
Trigger → Action → Action → Action
Simple to understand. Works great for straightforward workflows.
Example Zap:
- When a new HubSpot contact is created (trigger)
- Add them to a Mailchimp list (action)
- Send a Slack notification (action)
How Make Works
Make uses a visual canvas with branching, loops, and conditions.
Trigger → Router → [Path A] → Action
→ [Path B] → Action → Action
→ [Path C] → Loop → Action
More powerful. More complex to learn.
Example Scenario:
- When a new HubSpot contact is created
- Check if they're from a target company
- If yes → Add to Mailchimp premium list → Create Salesforce opportunity
- If no → Add to Mailchimp standard list
- Either way → Send appropriate Slack notification
Head-to-Head: Ease of Use
Zapier: Built for Beginners
Zapier's interface guides you step by step:
- Choose your trigger app
- Select the triggering event
- Connect your account
- Choose your action app
- Map your fields
- Test and publish
Pros:
- Guided setup—hard to mess up
- No technical knowledge required
- Templates for common workflows
- Preview data at every step
Cons:
- Linear-only workflows (no branching in basic plans)
- Multi-step Zaps can get unwieldy
- Limited error handling
- Less control over data transformation
Make: Built for Power
Make's visual canvas is more flexible but requires learning:
- Drag modules onto the canvas
- Connect them with lines
- Configure each module
- Set up routers, filters, and conditions
- Test and schedule
Pros:
- Drag-and-drop visual builder
- Unlimited branching and conditions
- Powerful data transformation tools
- Better error handling and retry logic
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve
- Can be overwhelming at first
- More decisions to make
- Documentation is less polished
Verdict: Zapier wins for simplicity. Make wins for flexibility.
Head-to-Head: Integrations
Zapier: 7,000+ Apps
Zapier's biggest advantage is breadth. If an app exists, Zapier probably integrates with it.
Notable integrations only Zapier has:
- Some niche CRMs
- Many smaller project management tools
- Certain industry-specific software
- More Google Workspace depth
Make: 1,800+ Apps
Make has fewer native integrations but has a workaround:
Make's HTTP module lets you connect to any API manually. If a tool has an API, you can integrate it with Make—even without a native connector.
Notable integrations only Make has:
- Some EU/European tools
- Different integration depths on shared apps
Verdict: Zapier wins for plug-and-play breadth. Make wins if you're comfortable with APIs.
Head-to-Head: Pricing
This is where it gets interesting.
Zapier Pricing (2025)
| Plan |
Monthly Cost |
Tasks/Month |
Features |
| Free |
$0 |
100 |
2-step Zaps only |
| Starter |
$29.99 |
750 |
Multi-step, filters |
| Professional |
$73.50 |
2,000 |
Paths, custom logic |
| Team |
$103.50 |
2,000 |
Shared workspaces |
| Enterprise |
Custom |
Custom |
SSO, admin controls |
Key: Zapier charges per "task" = one action in your Zap. A 5-step Zap triggered once uses 4 tasks (trigger doesn't count).
Make Pricing (2025)
| Plan |
Monthly Cost |
Operations/Month |
Features |
| Free |
$0 |
1,000 |
All features, limited |
| Core |
$10.59 |
10,000 |
Full features |
| Pro |
$18.82 |
10,000 |
Priority execution |
| Teams |
$34.12 |
10,000 |
Collaboration |
| Enterprise |
Custom |
Custom |
Advanced security |
Key: Make charges per "operation" = any module execution. A 5-module scenario triggered once uses 5 operations.
Real-World Cost Comparison
Scenario: You want to automate lead routing with 5 steps, triggered 500 times per month.
Zapier:
- Tasks used: 500 triggers × 4 actions = 2,000 tasks
- Required plan: Professional ($73.50/month)
Make:
- Operations used: 500 × 5 = 2,500 operations
- Required plan: Core ($10.59/month)
Savings with Make: $62.91/month ($755/year)
The Pricing Twist
Make's operations are cheaper, but:
- Each router in Make uses an operation
- Each filter uses an operation
- Complex scenarios add up faster than you'd expect
For simple automations, the difference is smaller. For complex ones, Make is dramatically cheaper.
Verdict: Make wins on price for almost everyone except ultra-simple use cases.
Head-to-Head: Complex Workflows
Branching Logic
Zapier (Paths):
- Available on Professional+ plans
- Up to 3 branches by default
- Can nest paths within paths
- Each path is another step to configure
Make (Routers):
- Available on all plans including free
- Unlimited branches
- Visual representation of logic
- Filter conditions on each branch
Verdict: Make wins decisively.
Loops and Iterations
Zapier:
- Can loop through arrays (called "Line Items")
- Each item in the loop counts as a task
- Gets expensive fast with large lists
Make:
- Native iterator and aggregator modules
- Process arrays visually
- More control over batch processing
Example: Process 100 items in an array
- Zapier: 100 additional tasks
- Make: ~100 additional operations (but at 1/7th the price)
Verdict: Make wins.
Error Handling
Zapier:
- Auto-retry failed actions
- Error notifications
- Task history for debugging
- Limited ability to handle errors gracefully
Make:
- Retry, ignore, or rollback on failure
- Error routes (catch errors and handle them)
- Resume from failed module
- Detailed execution logs
Verdict: Make wins.
Data Transformation
Zapier:
- Built-in formatters for common transformations
- Text manipulation, date formatting, etc.
- Can be limiting for complex needs
Make:
- Powerful built-in functions
- Regular expressions
- JSON manipulation
- Custom JavaScript when needed
Verdict: Make wins for complex transformations.
Industry-Specific Use Cases: Who Should Use What?
Different industries have different automation needs. Here's what we recommend based on real client work.
E-commerce Automation
Common workflows:
- New order → Inventory update → Shipping label → Customer notification
- Abandoned cart → Email sequence trigger
- Return request → Process → Refund → Inventory adjustment
| Workflow Type |
Winner |
Why |
| Simple order notifications |
Zapier |
Shopify integration is more polished |
| Complex multi-channel inventory |
Make |
Better data transformation for syncing |
| High-volume stores (500+ orders/day) |
Make |
Dramatically cheaper at volume |
| Multiple marketplace sync |
Make |
Router logic handles exceptions better |
Recommendation: Start with Zapier if you have <100 orders/day. Switch to Make when volume grows.
Marketing and Sales Operations
Common workflows:
- Lead capture → CRM → Nurture sequence → Task assignment
- Webinar registration → Follow-up automation
- Social media → Content scheduling → Analytics collection
| Workflow Type |
Winner |
Why |
| HubSpot/Salesforce basic sync |
Zapier |
More triggers available |
| Complex lead routing with conditions |
Make |
Unlimited branching |
| Multi-platform ad spend aggregation |
Make |
Better data manipulation |
| Simple email-to-CRM capture |
Either |
Both work well |
Recommendation: Marketing teams with limited technical skills prefer Zapier. Revenue operations teams with complex routing prefer Make.
Professional Services (Agencies, Consultants)
Common workflows:
- Client onboarding → Project setup → Task creation
- Time tracking → Invoice generation → Payment follow-up
- Contract signed → Folder creation → Access provisioning
| Workflow Type |
Winner |
Why |
| Simple project kickoff automation |
Zapier |
Faster to set up |
| Client-specific conditional workflows |
Make |
Each client can have different paths |
| High-volume task automation |
Make |
Cost scales better |
| Integration with niche tools |
Zapier |
More obscure tool coverage |
Recommendation: Solo consultants do well with Zapier. Growing agencies benefit from Make's power and cost efficiency.
IT and DevOps
Common workflows:
- Alert → Ticket creation → Assignment → Escalation
- Deployment → Status update → Notification cascade
- Security event → Log → Alert → Response
| Workflow Type |
Winner |
Why |
| Webhook handling |
Make |
More robust HTTP module |
| API orchestration |
Make |
Better error handling |
| Simple tool integration |
Zapier |
Easier setup for non-devs |
| Custom scripting needs |
Make |
JavaScript modules available |
Recommendation: If your team includes developers, Make. If IT supports non-technical users building automations, Zapier.
Real User Reviews: What Actual Users Say
Based on analysis of G2, Capterra, and community discussions.
Zapier User Sentiment
G2 Rating: 4.5/5 (5,700+ reviews)
What users love:
- "Setup takes minutes, not hours"
- "Never had downtime in 3 years"
- "Non-technical team members can build automations"
- "Template library saves time"
Common complaints:
- "Gets expensive fast with volume"
- "Paths feature should be on lower tiers"
- "Limited logic for complex scenarios"
- "Wish I could do more without upgrading"
Make User Sentiment
G2 Rating: 4.7/5 (2,400+ reviews)
What users love:
- "Saved thousands switching from Zapier"
- "Can build literally anything"
- "Visual builder is intuitive once you learn it"
- "Error handling is excellent"
Common complaints:
- "Learning curve is real—took a week to get comfortable"
- "Documentation could be better"
- "Fewer native integrations than Zapier"
- "Interface can be overwhelming initially"
Reddit Community Consensus
From r/nocode, r/automation, and r/zapier discussions:
Pro-Zapier comments:
- "For my 5-step zaps, Zapier just works"
- "Client can maintain it themselves"
- "Time is money, and Zapier is faster to set up"
Pro-Make comments:
- "Switched to Make, cut my bill by 80%"
- "Once you learn routers, you won't go back"
- "The HTTP module is a game-changer"
- "Make handles complexity that breaks Zapier"
2025 Trends: What's New in Automation
Both platforms are evolving rapidly. Here's what matters in 2025.
AI Integration
Zapier:
- Launched "Central" AI agent (beta)
- Natural language automation building
- AI-powered troubleshooting suggestions
- ChatGPT integration native
Make:
- AI scenario generators
- Claude and GPT integrations
- Automated scenario optimization suggestions
- Vision AI modules for document processing
Trend: Both are racing to add AI. Zapier is ahead on user-facing AI. Make has more technical AI capabilities.
Pricing Pressure
2025 pricing changes:
- Zapier increased some tier prices
- Make has held pricing steady
- Both offer more in free tiers than 2024
- Usage-based pricing becoming more granular
Trend: Make's cost advantage is growing as automation volume increases industry-wide.
Enterprise Features
New in 2025:
- Both have improved SOC 2 compliance
- Enhanced audit logging
- Better SSO options
- Team collaboration features
Trend: Make is catching up on enterprise features that were previously Zapier-only.
Platform Stability
Uptime in 2024:
- Zapier: 99.95% uptime
- Make: 99.90% uptime
Both are highly reliable. Zapier has a slight edge on stability.
When to Choose Zapier
Choose Zapier if:
1. You're New to Automation
Zapier's guided setup means you can create your first automation in minutes. The learning curve is gentle, and you'll succeed quickly.
2. You Need a Specific Integration
Check both platforms before deciding. If your critical app only integrates with Zapier, that settles it.
3. Simple Workflows Are All You Need
If most of your automations are "when X happens, do Y," Zapier handles this beautifully without unnecessary complexity.
4. You Want Maximum Stability
Zapier is the market leader with the most mature platform. It rarely has downtime, and support is responsive.
5. Your Team Isn't Technical
If the people building automations aren't comfortable with any complexity, Zapier's interface is more forgiving.
When to Choose Make
Choose Make if:
1. Budget Matters
If you're running significant automation volume, Make's pricing is dramatically more affordable.
2. Workflows Are Complex
Branching, conditions, loops, error handling—Make handles these elegantly where Zapier struggles.
3. You'll Grow Into It
Make has a learning curve, but once you learn it, you can build almost anything. It scales with your needs.
4. You Need API Flexibility
Make's HTTP modules let you integrate with any API. No connector? No problem.
5. Data Processing Is Central
If your automations involve significant data manipulation, Make's tools are superior.
The Hybrid Approach
Here's a secret: Many companies use both.
Common pattern:
- Zapier for simple, one-off automations by non-technical team members
- Make for complex, high-volume core workflows built by someone technical
This gives you Zapier's accessibility and Make's power where each is needed.
Migration Guide: Step-by-Step
Zapier to Make Migration
If you're moving from Zapier to Make, here's the process:
Phase 1: Preparation (Day 1-2)
- Export your Zap list from Zapier
- Categorize by complexity (simple, medium, complex)
- Check Make for integration availability
- Identify your highest-volume Zaps (migrate first for cost savings)
Phase 2: Account Setup (Day 3)
- Create Make account (start with Core plan for proper testing)
- Connect your app accounts
- Familiarize yourself with the interface (spend 2-3 hours exploring)
Phase 3: Rebuild Strategy (Day 4-14)
| Zap Complexity |
Migration Approach |
Expected Time |
| Simple (2-3 steps) |
Direct rebuild |
15-30 min each |
| Medium (4-6 steps) |
Rebuild with optimization |
1-2 hours each |
| Complex (paths, filters) |
Design from scratch |
2-4 hours each |
Phase 4: Parallel Running (Week 2-3)
- Run both platforms simultaneously for critical workflows
- Compare output accuracy
- Monitor for edge cases
- Gradually shift traffic to Make
Phase 5: Cutover (Week 4)
- Disable Zapier workflows
- Monitor Make closely for first week
- Downgrade Zapier to free tier (keep account for integrations you may need)
- Document new workflows for team
Common migration mistakes:
- Trying to migrate everything at once (do high-impact first)
- Not testing with real data before cutover
- Forgetting to update team documentation
- Keeping Zapier on paid plan after migration complete
Make to Zapier Migration
Less common, but valid if:
- Team found Make too complex
- Need specific Zapier-only integrations
- Simplicity outweighs cost savings
Reality check:
- Your costs will likely increase 3-7x
- Some complex scenarios won't translate directly
- May need to simplify workflows
- Best approach: Only migrate what you actually need
Our Recommendation
For Most Small Businesses: Start with Make
Why:
- You'll save money immediately
- The learning curve pays off quickly
- You won't outgrow it
- Free plan is actually useful (1,000 ops vs. 100 tasks)
For Absolute Beginners: Start with Zapier
Why:
- You'll succeed faster
- Confidence matters early
- You can always migrate later
- Premium for simplicity is reasonable
For Enterprises: Evaluate Both
Your needs are specific. Both have enterprise features. Get demos and pricing for your actual use case.
Quick Decision Framework
Answer these questions:
1. What's your automation volume?
- Low (<100/month): Zapier or Make free tier
- Medium (100-1,000/month): Make for cost savings
- High (1,000+/month): Make (significant savings)
2. How complex are your workflows?
- Simple (A→B→C): Zapier
- Complex (branching, conditions): Make
3. How technical is your team?
- Non-technical: Zapier
- Somewhat technical: Either works
- Technical: Make
4. What's your budget sensitivity?
- Cost-conscious: Make
- Value simplicity over cost: Zapier
5. What integrations do you need?
- Check both platforms
- If only one has your critical tool, choose that
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Zapier and Make?
Zapier uses a linear, step-by-step approach that's easier for beginners, while Make uses a visual canvas with branching logic for more complex workflows. Zapier has 7,000+ integrations but costs more per task, whereas Make has 1,800+ integrations but offers dramatically lower pricing and more powerful features.
Which is cheaper, Zapier or Make?
Make is significantly cheaper for most use cases. For example, a 5-step automation running 500 times per month costs $73.50/month on Zapier but only $10.59/month on Make—saving over $750 per year. Make's operations are priced about 1/7th the cost of Zapier's tasks.
Is Make harder to learn than Zapier?
Yes, Make has a steeper learning curve due to its visual canvas and more complex features. However, most users become comfortable within 1-2 weeks, and the investment pays off with more powerful automation capabilities and significant cost savings as your needs grow.
Can I use both Zapier and Make together?
Yes, many companies use both platforms strategically. A common approach is using Zapier for simple automations by non-technical team members, while using Make for complex, high-volume workflows built by someone technical. This gives you both accessibility and power where needed.
Which platform is better for complex workflows with branching logic?
Make is decisively better for complex workflows. It offers unlimited branching with routers (available even on the free plan), native loops and iterations, better error handling, and more powerful data transformation—all features that Zapier either doesn't have or only offers on expensive plans.
Does Make have fewer integrations than Zapier?
Yes, Make has about 1,800 native integrations compared to Zapier's 7,000+. However, Make's HTTP module allows you to connect to any tool with an API manually, so you can integrate apps that don't have native connectors. This makes the integration gap less significant for technical users.
What happens if I hit my task limit in Zapier?
When you hit your task limit in Zapier, new Zap runs will fail until your billing cycle resets or you upgrade. Zapier sends notifications when you're approaching your limit. This is why high-volume users often switch to Make—its operation-based pricing is more forgiving and affordable at scale.
Can I export my Zaps from Zapier to Make?
There's no direct export/import feature between Zapier and Make. You'll need to rebuild your automations manually in Make. However, most users find Make's visual interface makes the rebuild process intuitive, and complex Zaps often become simpler in Make due to better logic handling.
Which platform is better for Shopify automation?
For simple Shopify automations (order notifications, basic inventory updates), Zapier's Shopify integration is slightly more polished. For complex e-commerce workflows with multiple conditions, inventory syncing across channels, or high order volumes (500+ per day), Make is better due to cost efficiency and powerful data transformation.
How do Zapier and Make handle API rate limits?
Both platforms respect API rate limits, but they handle them differently. Zapier will retry automatically but counts each retry as a task. Make also retries but offers more control with explicit retry settings and error routes, allowing you to handle rate limit errors gracefully without wasting operations.
Do I need coding skills to use Make?
No coding skills are required for most Make use cases. Make is a visual, drag-and-drop platform. However, Make does offer JavaScript modules for advanced users who want to write custom code. About 80% of users never need to touch code—the visual modules handle most needs.
Which is better for a small business just starting with automation?
For absolute beginners with simple needs, Zapier is often better because setup is faster and the interface is more forgiving. However, if you're cost-conscious and willing to spend a few days learning, starting with Make is the smarter long-term choice—you'll save money immediately and won't need to migrate later.
What About n8n?
There's a third option that's exploding in popularity: n8n (pronounced "n-eight-n").
n8n searches have grown 2,300% in the past year. Technical teams and cost-conscious businesses are discovering it as a powerful alternative to both Zapier and Make.
Quick n8n Comparison
| Factor |
Zapier |
Make |
n8n |
| Price |
$19.99+/mo |
$9+/mo |
Free (self-hosted) |
| Integrations |
7,000+ |
1,800+ |
400+ |
| Self-hosting |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Code support |
Limited |
JavaScript |
JavaScript + Python |
| AI integration |
Basic |
Good |
Excellent |
| Best for |
Beginners |
Power users |
Technical teams |
When to Consider n8n
- You want to self-host: n8n is completely free when self-hosted
- You have developers: Full JavaScript and Python support
- You're building AI workflows: Native LangChain and AI integration
- Data privacy matters: Keep everything on your own servers
- Cost is critical: No per-task/operation limits when self-hosted
n8n Limitations
- Fewer native integrations (though HTTP requests cover most gaps)
- Steeper learning curve than both Zapier and Make
- Self-hosting requires technical knowledge
- Cloud version still maturing
Bottom line: If you have technical resources and want maximum flexibility and cost savings, n8n is worth serious consideration. For everyone else, the Zapier vs Make comparison above still applies.
Read our full n8n vs Zapier vs Make comparison →
Final Verdict
Zapier is easier. Make is more powerful and cheaper. n8n is most flexible and cheapest for technical teams.
For most growing businesses, Make offers better long-term value. But if you need to automate something today and don't want to learn a new tool, Zapier will get you there faster. And if you have developers, n8n deserves a serious look.
The best choice is the one you'll actually use. All three platforms will help you automate manual work and save hours of time. Pick one and start building.
Need help deciding or building your automations? Cedar Operations designs automation strategies that scale. Let's talk about your workflows →
Related reading:
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