Automation platforms turn manual workflows into automatic processes. Copy data between apps, trigger actions based on events, build integrations without code. Zapier pioneered this category; Make (formerly Integromat) challenged it with more power.

Both can automate your work. The difference is how they do it and how much complexity they can handle.

Platform Philosophy

Zapier optimizes for simplicity. Linear workflows, clear triggers, straightforward actions. Anyone can build automations within minutes.

Make (formerly Integromat) optimizes for power. Visual workflow builder, complex logic, data transformation. Capable of handling scenarios that push Zapier’s limits.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Zapier	Make
App Integrations	7,000+	1,500+
Workflow Builder	Linear	Visual/branching
Learning Curve	Easy	Moderate
Complex Logic	Limited	Extensive
Data Manipulation	Basic	Advanced
Error Handling	Basic	Detailed
Scheduling	Yes	Yes
Webhooks	Yes	Yes
Free Tier	100 tasks/month	1,000 ops/month
Starter Price	$19.99/month	$9/month
AI Features	Growing	Growing
API	Yes	Yes

Where Zapier Excels

App Ecosystem

7,000+ integrations versus Make’s 1,500+. Whatever apps you use, Zapier probably connects them. Obscure tools, niche software, enterprise systems—the coverage is remarkable.

If an integration doesn’t exist, Zapier’s AI can sometimes handle it through generic web interfaces.

Simplicity

Building a basic Zap takes minutes. Trigger → Action. The interface guides you through each step. No learning curve for simple automations.

Non-technical team members can build their own automations. IT doesn’t need to handle every request.

AI Integration

Zapier has leaned into AI with features that can:

• Draft messages based on triggers
• Classify and route incoming data
• Format content automatically
• Suggest automation improvements

The AI additions make simple automations smarter.

Enterprise Features

SSO, advanced permissions, audit logs, dedicated support—Zapier’s enterprise tier serves large organizations. Compliance features matter for regulated industries.

Reliability and Uptime

Zapier’s infrastructure handles massive scale. Reliability is excellent. For mission-critical automations, this consistency matters.

Tables and Storage

Zapier Tables adds database functionality directly in the platform. Store data, query it, use it in automations. Less need for external databases for simple use cases.

Where Make Excels

Visual Workflow Builder

Make’s canvas shows your entire automation visually. Branches, loops, conditions, parallel paths—you see the logic. Complex scenarios become understandable.

Zapier’s linear interface struggles with multi-path logic.

Complex Logic

Need to process items in a loop? Branch based on conditions? Run parallel paths? Aggregate data from multiple sources? Make handles these scenarios natively.

Zapier can achieve some complexity with paths, but Make was designed for it.

Data Manipulation

Make provides tools for transforming data inline:

• JSON/XML parsing
• Array operations
• Text manipulation
• Mathematical functions
• Date handling

This reduces the need for custom code or intermediate apps.

Pricing Efficiency

Make’s pricing is often dramatically cheaper:

• Free tier: 1,000 operations vs Zapier’s 100 tasks
• Starter: $9/month vs $19.99/month
• Operations are often cheaper than equivalent Zaps

For high-volume automations, the cost difference is substantial.

Error Handling

Make provides detailed execution history, error descriptions, and the ability to re-run failed scenarios. Debugging is more straightforward than Zapier’s error handling.

Scenario Control

Pause, clone, version, and schedule scenarios precisely. More operational control for managing complex automation estates.

Complexity Comparison

Simple automation (both handle well): New form submission → Create CRM contact → Send welcome email

Medium complexity (Zapier struggles): New invoice → Check if customer exists → If yes, update record; if no, create record → Calculate discount tier → Generate custom email based on tier

High complexity (Make territory): Process webhook → Parse JSON array → For each item: query database, check inventory, calculate pricing, apply rules → Aggregate results → Format output → Send to multiple destinations based on conditions

If your automations fit the simple/medium categories, Zapier works. If you regularly hit complexity limits, Make is necessary.

Learning Curve

Zapier: Productive immediately. Depth comes from knowing what’s possible, not how to build it.

Make: Initial learning required. Understanding the visual builder, data structures, and iteration patterns takes time. But that investment unlocks capabilities Zapier can’t match.

Use Case Fit

Choose Zapier If You:

• Build straightforward automations
• Need maximum app coverage
• Want team members building their own Zaps
• Prioritize simplicity over power
• Have enterprise compliance requirements
• Don’t need complex logic

Choose Make If You:

• Build complex, multi-step workflows
• Need detailed data transformation
• Want visual workflow understanding
• Care about automation costs
• Require advanced error handling
• Have technical comfort with logic

Pricing Deep Dive

Zapier:

• Free: 100 tasks/month, 5 Zaps
• Starter: $19.99/month (750 tasks)
• Professional: $49/month (2,000 tasks)
• Team: $69/month per user
• Enterprise: Custom

Make:

• Free: 1,000 ops/month
• Core: $9/month (10,000 ops)
• Pro: $16/month (10,000 ops + features)
• Teams: $29/month
• Enterprise: Custom

Make provides approximately 10x more operations for similar pricing. For volume users, this difference is significant.

Real-World Example

Task: When a Typeform submission arrives, check if the email exists in HubSpot. If yes, update the contact and notify sales in Slack with contact history. If no, create the contact, enroll in a welcome sequence, and send a different Slack notification.

In Zapier: Requires multiple Zaps or complex path configuration. Possible but awkward.

In Make: One scenario with clear branching. Visual representation shows the logic. Easier to build and maintain.

Migration Between Platforms

Both allow export/import, but automations don’t transfer directly. Moving from Zapier to Make means rebuilding (though Make’s approach might simplify what was complex in Zapier).

If you’re considering switching, start with new automations in the target platform before migrating existing ones.

AI Capabilities

Both platforms are adding AI:

Zapier: AI-powered Zap suggestions, draft generation, data classification.

Make: AI modules for content generation, analysis, and processing.

AI is an enhancement on both platforms, not a differentiator between them.

My Verdict

Zapier wins for simplicity and coverage. If you need to connect lots of apps with straightforward logic, Zapier’s ecosystem and ease of use make it the better choice. The premium pricing funds the integration breadth.

Make wins for power and value. If you hit Zapier’s complexity limits or automate at volume, Make’s visual builder and pricing efficiency deliver more capability per dollar.

My recommendation: Start with Zapier for your first automations. It’s easier to learn and handles simple cases well. When you hit limitations—complex logic, high costs, or frustrating workarounds—that’s when Make becomes worth the learning investment.

Automation saves hours of manual work. The choice between platforms matters less than actually automating. Pick one, start building, and switch if you outgrow it.