Make vs Zapier
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
AI tool · Freemium
A visual automation platform for building multi-step workflows between apps, including AI steps.
AI tool · Freemium
A no-code automation platform connecting thousands of apps, with AI steps and agents.
Our verdict
Make and Zapier both automate workflows between apps with no code and both offer AI steps and a free tier. Make is built around visual, branching workflows and is the stronger pick for complex logic on a budget. Zapier has the widest app coverage and the easiest start, which suits non-technical teams connecting common SaaS tools, though its costs grow with task volume.
Pick Make if you need branching, multi-step visual workflows and are willing to spend time learning the builder.
Pick Zapier if you want the quickest start and need to connect many different apps without building complex logic.
| Key difference | Make | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Best at | Complex visual workflows with routers, branching, and error handling. | Connecting thousands of apps with the easiest possible setup. |
| Ease of start | Visual builder has a learning curve. | Easiest start, aimed at non-technical users. |
| Cost | Positioned as cost-conscious; freemium pricing. | Costs scale with task volume, so busy workflows can get expensive. |
| App coverage | Works with Google Workspace, Slack, Shopify, Notion. | Thousands of integrations; works with Slack, Google Workspace, Notion, HubSpot. |
| AI features | AI modules within multi-step scenarios. | AI steps and agents, plus tables and interfaces. |
Written with AI from both products' catalogue entries · updated 2026-10-29
Who each one is for
Choose Make if you need…
- Complex visual workflows
- Cost-conscious automation
Choose Zapier if you need…
- No-code integrations between SaaS apps
- Non-technical teams
Side-by-side
| Make | Zapier | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | No-code & automation · Workflow automation | No-code & automation · Workflow automation |
| Price | Freemium | Freemium |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Works with | Google Workspace, Slack, Shopify, Notion | Slack, Google Workspace, Notion, HubSpot |
| Hands-on tested by us | Not yet | Not yet |
| Last checked | 2026-10-29 | 2026-10-29 |
What each one is
Make
A visual automation platform for building multi-step workflows between apps, including AI steps. More flexible than simple trigger-action tools for branching logic. The visual builder has a learning curve.
Zapier
A no-code automation platform connecting thousands of apps, with AI steps and agents. The widest app coverage and easiest start. Costs scale with task volume, so busy workflows can get expensive.
Best for
Make
- Complex visual workflows
- Cost-conscious automation
Zapier
- No-code integrations between SaaS apps
- Non-technical teams
Strengths
Make
- Visual scenario builder
- Routers and branching
- AI modules
- Error handling and scheduling
Zapier
- Thousands of app integrations
- Multi-step Zaps
- AI steps and agents
- Tables and interfaces
Frequently asked questions
Should I use Make or Zapier?
Make and Zapier both automate workflows between apps with no code and both offer AI steps and a free tier. Make is built around visual, branching workflows and is the stronger pick for complex logic on a budget. Zapier has the widest app coverage and the easiest start, which suits non-technical teams connecting common SaaS tools, though its costs grow with task volume. Pick Make if you need branching, multi-step visual workflows and are willing to spend time learning the builder. Pick Zapier if you want the quickest start and need to connect many different apps without building complex logic.
What is the difference between Make and Zapier?
Make: A visual automation platform for building multi-step workflows between apps, including AI steps. Zapier: A no-code automation platform connecting thousands of apps, with AI steps and agents. Make suits complex visual workflows, while Zapier suits no-code integrations between saas apps.
Are Make and Zapier free?
Make: Freemium. Zapier: Freemium.
What are other alternatives to Make and Zapier?
Other options people compare them with include n8n, Pipedream, IFTTT, Microsoft Power Automate, Airtable.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.