About 17; min
Workflow automation platforms connect your apps and automate repetitive tasks without writing code. Zapier and Make (formerly Integromat) are the two biggest names in this space, each powering millions of automated workflows for businesses of every size. Zapier is the market leader with the largest app directory. Make differentiates with visual workflow building and dramatically lower pricing for complex automations.
Both tools trigger actions when events happen — a new form submission creates a CRM contact, a Slack message logs to a spreadsheet, an email attachment saves to cloud storage. The difference is how they handle complexity and how they charge for it.
Quick Pricing Overview
| Plan | Zapier | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 100 tasks/mo, 5 Zaps | 1,000 ops/mo, 2 scenarios |
| Starter | $29.99/mo (750 tasks) | $10.59/mo (10,000 ops) |
| Professional | $73.50/mo (2,000 tasks) | $18.82/mo (10,000 ops) |
| Team | $103.50/mo (2,000 tasks) | $34.12/mo (10,000 ops) |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom |
Zapier Pricing Breakdown
Zapier’s free plan includes 100 tasks per month across 5 single-step Zaps (automations). The Starter plan at $29.99 per month covers 750 tasks with multi-step Zaps, filters, and formatters. Professional at $73.50 per month includes 2,000 tasks with custom logic paths, auto-replay for failed tasks, and unlimited premium app connections. Team at $103.50 per month adds shared workspaces, shared app connections, and premier support. Tasks are the billing unit — each action that fires in a Zap counts as one task. A 5-step Zap that runs once consumes 5 tasks. Higher task volumes cost more: 5,000 tasks on Professional runs $148.50 per month, and 100,000 tasks costs $448.50 per month. Annual billing saves 33%.
Make Pricing Breakdown
Make’s free plan includes 1,000 operations per month with 2 active scenarios. The Core plan at $10.59 per month provides 10,000 operations with unlimited active scenarios and access to all apps. The Pro plan at $18.82 per month adds custom variables, full-text execution log search, and priority execution. The Teams plan at $34.12 per month includes team collaboration, shared scenarios, and custom roles. Operations are Make’s billing unit — each module (step) in a scenario that processes data counts as one operation. Unlike Zapier, Make scenarios can include branching, loops, error handling, and conditional routing within a single scenario. Additional operations are available at $1.66 per 10,000 on Core.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Zapier | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | 100 tasks/mo, 5 Zaps | 1,000 ops/mo, 2 scenarios |
| App Integrations | 7,000+ apps | 2,000+ apps |
| Workflow Builder | Linear steps (with paths) | Visual canvas (drag-and-drop) |
| Branching Logic | Professional plan (Paths) | All plans (built-in routers) |
| Loops / Iterators | Not available | Built-in (all plans) |
| Error Handling | Auto-replay (Professional+) | Built-in error routes (all plans) |
| Webhooks | Professional plan and above | All plans (including free) |
| Data Transformation | Formatter (Starter+) | Built-in functions (all plans) |
| Scheduling | Every 1-15 minutes (by plan) | Every 1-15 minutes (by plan) |
| HTTP Requests | Code steps (Professional+) | HTTP module (all plans) |
| AI Features | AI by Zapier (built-in) | AI modules (OpenAI, etc.) |
| Tables / Database | Zapier Tables (built-in) | Data stores (built-in) |
| API Access | Not publicly available | API available |
Cost Scenarios
Freelancer (simple automations, 500 tasks/month)
Zapier Starter at $29.99 per month covers 750 tasks for simple multi-step workflows. Make Core at $10.59 per month covers 10,000 operations — 20x more capacity for one-third the price. For straightforward automations, Make’s value is dramatically better. Zapier: $29.99/mo. Make: $10.59/mo.
Marketing team (5,000 tasks/month, complex workflows)
Zapier Professional at $148.50 per month for 5,000 tasks with branching logic and auto-replay. Make Pro at $18.82 per month covers 10,000 operations with visual branching, loops, and error handling. Even if your workflows are complex with 5+ steps each, Make handles the volume at a fraction of Zapier’s cost. Zapier: $148.50/mo. Make: $18.82/mo.
Business operations (50,000 tasks/month)
Zapier at this volume runs approximately $448.50 per month on the Professional plan. Make at 50,000 operations costs roughly $42 per month (base + additional operations). The savings are substantial — over $4,800 annually. Zapier: ~$448/mo. Make: ~$42/mo.
Workflow Complexity
Make’s visual canvas lets you build workflows that look like flowcharts. Drag modules onto a canvas, connect them with lines, and add routers that split execution into parallel branches. Iterators loop through arrays of data — process each line item in an invoice, each attachment in an email, each row in a spreadsheet. Error handling routes let you define what happens when a step fails without stopping the entire workflow. This visual approach makes complex automations easier to understand, debug, and maintain.
Zapier takes a linear approach that works well for straightforward automations. A trigger fires, and steps execute in sequence. Paths (available on Professional) add basic branching, but the interface doesn’t support the same level of visual complexity as Make. Where Zapier excels is simplicity and breadth — 7,000+ app integrations mean you’re more likely to find a pre-built connection for niche tools. Setting up a simple automation takes minutes without thinking about flow diagrams.
Who Should Pick What
Pick Zapier if:
- You need integrations with niche or industry-specific apps (7,000+ supported)
- Simple, linear automations match your workflow needs
- Zapier Tables and AI features add value to your automation stack
- Your team prefers the simplest possible setup experience
Pick Make if:
- Cost matters — Make is 5-10x cheaper at every volume level
- Your workflows require branching, loops, or error handling
- The visual canvas approach fits how you think about processes
- You need webhooks, HTTP requests, and data transformation on lower-tier plans
Make wins on both value and capability for most automation needs. It costs 5-10x less than Zapier at comparable volumes while offering more powerful workflow building tools — visual branching, loops, error handling, and webhooks on every plan. Zapier wins on app breadth (7,000+ vs 2,000+) and simplicity for users who want the fastest path from idea to working automation. If your automations are simple and you need a specific niche integration, Zapier’s library is unmatched. For everything else, Make delivers more power at a dramatically lower price.
FAQ
What counts as a “task” in Zapier vs an “operation” in Make?
Both count each action step that processes data. A 3-step Zap that runs once uses 3 tasks. A 3-module Make scenario uses 3 operations. The key difference is pricing per unit — Make operations are far cheaper.
Can Make connect to apps that Zapier supports but Make doesn’t?
Make’s HTTP module lets you connect to any app with an API, even if there’s no pre-built integration. This requires basic API knowledge but extends Make’s reach beyond its 2,000+ built-in apps.
Is Zapier easier to learn?
Yes. Zapier’s linear interface is simpler for non-technical users building basic automations. Make’s visual canvas has a steeper learning curve but pays off quickly once you understand the flow-based approach.
Can I migrate from Zapier to Make?
There’s no automated migration tool. You’ll need to recreate your workflows in Make manually. Most users report that rebuilding in Make takes less time than expected because the visual builder makes complex logic easier to implement.
