What are Make and Zapier?
Before diving into comparisons, it’s important to understand what each platform does at its core.
Make
Make, formerly known as Integromat, is a visual workflow automation tool. The platform was rebranded in 2022, but it continues to deliver the same advanced capabilities with a refreshed interface and expanded features.
Existing Integromat users will find continuity in their automations, while new users encounter Make as the evolved version of a powerful automation engine. Its drag-and-drop canvas allows teams to design workflows with complex logic, data transformations, and multi-step processes.
Make is highly regarded in the automation community, holding a 4.8/5 rating on G2 and praised for its flexibility, cost efficiency, and visual builder by SaaS startups and technical teams.
Zapier
Zapier is a no-code automation tool that connects applications through step-by-step workflows called "Zaps." Each Zap is built around a trigger and one or more actions. Zapier is widely recognized as the market leader, with a 4.5/5 rating on G2 and one of the largest user communities. It is also renowned for its simplicity and wide app coverage, making it popular among teams that need quick automation without a steep learning curve.
Common Ground
Both platforms allow users to automate tasks across multiple apps, save time, and reduce manual work. As the U.S. Chamber of Commerce explains, automation frees teams from repetitive tasks so they can focus on higher-value work. However, the way they handle complexity, pricing, and integration depth is what sets them apart.
Key Features and Workflow Capabilities
When comparing automation tools, the user experience and flexibility of workflows are among the most important factors. This section looks at how Make and Zapier approach their core functionality.
Builder Interface
The way you design and manage workflows determines how quickly you can adopt an automation tool.
- Zapier uses a linear, form-based editor. Each automation is built step by step, making it straightforward for beginners.
- Make provides a visual drag-and-drop canvas where users can see the entire workflow at once. This approach is more flexible for advanced users who need to visualize data flows.
Automation Logic
Logic rules define how workflows react to different conditions, and the tools diverge here in capability.
- Zapier is excellent for straightforward, single-path automations like "If an email arrives, then save it to Google Drive."
- Make supports more complex logic such as branching, loops, and conditions. Users can create unlimited routes within a single scenario.
Data Handling
How well a platform processes and transforms data affects its ability to handle complex workflows.
- Make includes advanced tools for parsing and transforming data, such as JSON and XML support, iterators, and aggregators.
- Zapier offers basic data formatting and built-in functions but does not provide the same depth of data manipulation.
Advanced Steps
Beyond basic app connections, advanced steps allow for custom logic and specialized actions.
- Zapier includes AI-powered formatting and the option to add code steps in Python or JavaScript.
- Make includes an HTTP module for API calls, as well as built-in features for handling complex logic and custom scenarios.
Verdict
Zapier provides an easier on-ramp for those who need quick, simple workflows, while Make appeals to technical teams or businesses that require advanced branching, custom logic, and data manipulation. Strong automation choices are part of broader website management best practices, ensuring teams work efficiently.
Integrations and Ecosystem
The value of any automation tool depends heavily on how many applications it can connect with and how deep those integrations go. This section looks at how Zapier and Make compare in terms of app availability, integration quality, and community support.
App Coverage
The number of available apps determines how likely you are to connect all the tools in your stack.
- Zapier integrates with over 8,000 apps, making it the most extensive library in the automation market.
- Make integrates with around 2,800 apps. While the number is smaller, it covers most of the widely used tools for business, marketing, and productivity.
Integration Depth
Breadth is one thing, but the depth of actions within each integration is just as important.
- Zapier generally supports a broad range of apps but often provides fewer actions per integration.
- Make tends to support more actions within each integration. For example, a membership tool like Memberstack might offer dozens of actions in Make but only a handful in Zapier.
Extensibility
Sometimes, you need to connect an app that isn’t officially supported, and extensibility becomes critical.
- Make offers an HTTP module, allowing connections to virtually any API. This provides more flexibility for teams needing custom integrations.
- Zapier focuses on ease of use, relying on prebuilt connectors and templates for quick setup.
Community and Resources
The strength of the community and learning resources can influence adoption and speed of implementation.
- Zapier has a larger user base, meaning more tutorials and third-party content are available.
- Make has a strong but smaller community of advanced users who share detailed templates and advanced workflows.
Verdict
Zapier clearly wins on breadth of integrations, making it a better fit for teams needing wide app coverage with minimal setup effort. Make, however, offers deeper functionality within its supported apps and the flexibility to connect to almost any API, making it the better choice for technical teams that require customization.
Pricing and Plans (Make vs Zapier)
Cost is often one of the most important considerations when choosing an automation tool, especially for businesses scaling their operations. Pricing models differ between Zapier and Make, and those differences can have a big impact depending on workflow volume.
Pricing Models
Understanding how each tool counts usage is key to calculating long-term costs.
- Zapier charges per task. Every time an action runs in a Zap, it counts as one task.
- Make charges per operation. Every module run counts as an operation, including triggers.
Free Plans
Free tiers allow businesses to test before committing, and both tools provide entry-level options.
- Zapier: 100 tasks per month with a limit of 5 Zaps. If you’re specifically exploring how Zapier integrates with Webflow, see our detailed Webflow Zapier integration guide.
- Make: 1,000 operations per month with no limit on the number of scenarios.
Paid Plans
Cost Efficiency
Looking at cost per action highlights how quickly expenses can add up.
On a cost-per-action basis, Make is significantly cheaper than Zapier for high-volume workflows.
However, Zapier does not count triggers as tasks, while Make does count triggers as operations. This distinction can affect the actual monthly bill depending on workflow design.
Scaling and Enterprise
As businesses grow, scalability and enterprise-grade features become important considerations.
- Zapier offers enterprise plans starting at higher volumes, including features like SSO and advanced admin controls.
- Make also provides enterprise options with compliance features, audit logs, and premium support.
Verdict
For small teams running a handful of automations, Zapier’s simple pricing model can be easier to predict. But for organizations with larger or more complex workflows, Make usually delivers far better value, offering more operations at a fraction of the cost.
Use Cases: When to Choose Which Tool
Different teams have different needs. Here’s when each platform makes the most sense.
When to Choose Zapier
- You need quick automations that can be set up in minutes.
- Your workflows are simple, such as syncing form submissions to a spreadsheet or posting social media updates.
- You prioritize broad app coverage, since Zapier integrates with over 7,000 tools.
- Your team prefers a low learning curve and minimal setup.
When to Choose Make
- You need advanced workflows that involve branching logic, loops, or heavy data processing.
- Cost efficiency is important, especially if your workflows involve thousands of operations per month.
- Your team is comfortable with a more visual, technical interface.
- You want the ability to connect to any API for custom integrations.
Our Webflow development agency can build custom integrations and APIs for complex automation needs.
Real-World Use Case: Form Routing with Make
To illustrate how Make can be applied in practice, here’s a workflow we built for handling form submissions at Tilipman Digital. The goal was to centralize form routing, send notifications, and ensure newsletter signups were handled automatically.
- Custom Webhooks for Form Data — Every form submission triggers a webhook, which passes the form data into Make for processing.
- Redirecting Users — A second webhook routes users to the correct thank-you page or follow-up URL based on the type of form they submitted.
- Email Notifications — The Gmail module automatically sends a confirmation email to the person who submitted the form, ensuring immediate feedback.
- Slack Notifications — The workflow posts a message into our Slack channel, notifying the team in real time about new form submissions.
- Newsletter Management — The automation checks our Beehive database to see if the contact is already subscribed. If not, the user is added to our newsletter list.
This setup shows how Make’s router and branching capabilities allow multiple actions to run in parallel from a single trigger. Instead of manually handling form responses, the system runs end-to-end, from confirmation emails to Slack alerts to newsletter enrollment, with no manual input required.
This automation was highlighted on Make’s official site as an example of how businesses can combine webhooks, notifications, and database checks to streamline workflows. Being featured underscores both the flexibility of Make and the quality of implementation by our team.
Industry Examples
Zapier is widely adopted in marketing teams, small businesses, and agencies for simple, repetitive tasks (CRM syncs, social posting, form-to-spreadsheet).
Make is more common in SaaS companies, data-heavy startups, and technical teams who need multi-step workflows or API-level flexibility.
Budget and Volume Considerations
- For small, simple tasks, Zapier’s simplicity can outweigh its cost.
- For high-volume or data-intensive automations, Make usually delivers better value.
In practice, some organizations like ours, use both tools—Zapier for lightweight tasks and Make for more complex workflows. Check out our case studies to see real examples of these workflows in action.
Alternatives and Other Tools
Make and Zapier are two of the most popular automation tools, but they aren’t the only ones available. Several alternatives serve different use cases and budgets.
n8n
- An open-source automation platform.
- Allows self-hosting, giving full control over data privacy and compliance.
- No per-task fees when self-hosted, making it cost-effective for developers and advanced teams.
Workato
- Enterprise-grade automation tool.
- Focuses on SaaS and enterprise integrations.
- More expensive than Make or Zapier, but comes with advanced features for large organizations.
Other Options
- Pabbly Connect and Automate.io (now part of Notion) offer budget-friendly automation options with fewer integrations.
- IFTTT is another well-known option, but it is typically more consumer-focused than business-focused.
Exploring alternatives helps businesses understand the spectrum of automation tools available, from free and open-source solutions to enterprise-level platforms.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Both Make and Zapier are powerful automation tools, but the right choice depends on your specific needs.
- Choose Zapier if your workflows are simple, you need broad app coverage, and you value ease of use.
- Choose Make if your automations are complex, you want advanced data handling, or you need a more cost-efficient solution at scale.
For many organizations, the decision comes down to whether simplicity or flexibility matters most. Some teams even use both tools together, with Zapier handling lightweight tasks and Make powering more complex scenarios. The HighGear blog on business process automation confirms that the right automation strategy not only saves time but also drives measurable cost efficiency.
Next Step: Try both platforms’ free tiers. Zapier offers 100 free tasks per month, and Make provides 1,000 free operations. Testing them on your actual workflows is the best way to determine which one fits your business. Once your stack is in place, our website launch checklist playbook ensures everything goes live smoothly.
We implement both Zapier and Make for B2B teams. Let’s talk about your use case and pick the right tool together. For more integration insights, explore our Webflow development guides.
FAQs on comparing Make and Zapier
Is Make better than Zapier?
It depends on your needs. Make is often better for advanced workflows and high-volume automations, while Zapier is better for simple setups and broad app coverage.
How many apps do they integrate with?
Zapier integrates with over 8,000 apps, giving it the largest catalog. Make supports around 2,800 apps but can also connect to any API using its HTTP module.
What about Integromat vs Zapier?
Integromat was rebranded to Make in 2022. All existing features and workflows continue to work under the new name, so comparisons you see for "Integromat vs Zapier" are effectively the same as Make vs Zapier.
Which is cheaper between Zapier and Make?
Make is generally cheaper at scale. For example, its $9 plan covers 10,000 operations, while Zapier’s $19.99 plan covers 750 tasks.
Can I migrate workflows from one to the other?
There is no direct migration tool. Automations need to be recreated manually, although both platforms provide documentation and community support for transitioning.
What about enterprise options?
Both Make and Zapier offer enterprise plans. Zapier’s enterprise tier adds governance features like SSO and admin controls. Make provides similar enterprise-grade features with advanced compliance and support.