If you've looked into automating repetitive tasks, you've probably stumbled into the Zapier vs. Make debate. It's like asking "Mac or PC?" in the automation world. Everyone has opinions. Most of them are wrong.
Here's what I've learned from setting up dozens of automations for clients: Zapier is easier to learn. Make is cheaper to run. The question isn't which is "better"—it's which one fits your actual situation.
So let me break down the real numbers, the real tradeoffs, and help you figure out which one to pick without wasting a week on YouTube tutorials.
The Quick Answer (For People Who Hate Reading)
Use Zapier if: You want the fastest setup, need to connect many different apps, and your automations are relatively simple (a few steps each).
Use Make if: You're comfortable with a slightly steeper learning curve, you're running lots of automations, and you want to spend less money at scale.
Now, the actual math behind that advice.
Pricing: Where the Line Crosses
This is where it gets interesting. Both platforms use a "per action" pricing model, but the math works out very differently.
Zapier's free tier: 100 tasks per month, limited to 2-step automations. A "task" is any successful action your automation completes.
Make's free tier: 1,000 operations per month. That's 10x more than Zapier.
Already you can see where this is going.
Let's Run the Numbers
Say you're a small business running 10,000 automations per month. (Sounds like a lot, but if you're syncing form submissions, sending notifications, updating spreadsheets, and logging things—it adds up fast.)
Make: $9/month on the Core plan gets you 10,000 operations. Done.
Zapier: $19.99/month on Professional gets you... well, it depends on the tier. At the 2,000 task tier, you're already at $49/month. To hit 10,000, you're looking at even more.
At volume, Make costs roughly 5x less than Zapier for the same work.
The Hidden Math: Multi-Step Workflows
Here's what catches people off guard with Zapier: each action in a multi-step Zap counts as a separate task.
So if your automation does this:
- Trigger: New form submission (doesn't count)
- Action 1: Add to Google Sheet (1 task)
- Action 2: Send Slack notification (1 task)
- Action 3: Create Trello card (1 task)
That's 3 tasks per form submission. Get 100 form submissions, and you've used 300 tasks—already over Zapier's free tier.
In Make, the same workflow might use 3-4 operations, but their free tier gives you 1,000. You'd need 250+ form submissions to hit the limit.
Ease of Use: Where Zapier Wins
If Make is so much cheaper, why does anyone use Zapier? Simple: it's easier.
Zapier's interface is like filling out a form. Step 1: Pick your trigger app. Step 2: Pick your trigger event. Step 3: Pick your action app. Step 4: Pick your action event. Connect your accounts, test it, done.
Most people can build their first Zapier automation in under 10 minutes. No joke.
Make's interface is more like a flowchart builder. You drag and drop modules, connect them with lines, and see your entire workflow visually. It's powerful once you learn it—but there's actually something to learn.
For your first automation, Zapier might take 10 minutes. Make might take 30-45 minutes (including the "wait, how do I..." moments).
For your 20th automation, they take about the same time. Make might even be faster because you can see everything at once.
App Integrations: Zapier's Big Advantage
This is where Zapier really shines. Zapier connects to over 8,000 apps. That's massive. If there's a business tool you've heard of, Zapier probably integrates with it.
Make has around 1,400 integrations. Still plenty for most people, but noticeably smaller.
Here's the practical difference: If you're using mainstream tools (Google Workspace, Slack, Trello, Mailchimp, QuickBooks, Stripe), both platforms have you covered.
If you're using something niche—an industry-specific CRM, a regional payment processor, that one app your accountant insists on—Zapier is more likely to support it.
Before committing to either platform, search their app directories for your must-have tools. A cheaper platform that doesn't connect to your apps is worthless.
When Make Makes More Sense
You're cost-conscious and willing to learn. If you're going to run serious volume (thousands of automations per month), the math is clear. Make will save you real money.
Your workflows are complex. Make's visual builder makes it easier to see branching logic, loops, and conditions. If your automation has "if this, then that, but only when..." logic, Make handles it more elegantly.
You like seeing the big picture. Some people (myself included) think better when they can see the entire flow visually. Zapier's linear step-by-step approach can feel limiting when you're building something sophisticated.
You've outgrown Zapier's pricing. If your Zapier bill is creeping up and you're looking for relief, Make is the most common escape route.
When Zapier Makes More Sense
You want the fastest possible setup. Zapier is genuinely easier to start with. If time-to-value matters more than ongoing costs, it's hard to beat.
You need a specific integration. If one of your critical apps is only on Zapier, that's the end of the conversation.
Your automations are simple. If you're doing basic "when X happens, do Y" workflows with 2-3 steps, the pricing difference won't matter much, and Zapier's simplicity wins.
Your team will be building automations. Zapier's gentler learning curve means less training time. For non-technical team members, that matters.
Real-World Example: The Same Automation on Both
Let's say you want to automate this workflow:
- Someone fills out a contact form on your website
- Their info gets added to a Google Sheet
- You get a Slack notification
- A welcome email gets sent automatically
On Zapier: That's 1 trigger + 3 actions = 3 tasks per form submission. At $19.99/month (Professional plan), you get 750 tasks. So about 250 form submissions before you need to upgrade.
On Make: Same workflow, roughly 4 operations. At $9/month (Core plan), you get 10,000 operations. So about 2,500 form submissions before you hit the limit.
Same result. One costs twice as much and handles 10x fewer runs.
What About Other Options?
Zapier and Make aren't the only games in town. Quick mentions:
n8n: Open-source, self-hosted option. Free if you run it yourself, but you need technical chops to set it up.
Power Automate: Microsoft's offering. Great if you're all-in on Microsoft 365, clunky otherwise.
IFTTT: Simpler and more consumer-focused. Not really built for business use.
For most small businesses, the choice really does come down to Zapier or Make. The others either require too much technical setup or don't have the business integrations you need.
My Recommendation
Start with Zapier's free tier. Build your first 2-3 automations there. Get comfortable with the concept of triggers and actions.
Once you hit Zapier's limits (and you will, faster than you expect), evaluate whether Make's learning curve is worth the cost savings. For most of my clients, the answer is yes—but that first month on Make is admittedly bumpier.
Here's the thing: 94% of small business employees say they spend time on repetitive, time-consuming tasks. The worst choice is not automating at all. Zapier, Make, whatever—pick one and start.
You can always switch later. The concepts transfer between platforms. The time you save starts immediately.
The Bottom Line
Zapier: Easier to learn, more integrations, higher cost at scale.
Make: Steeper learning curve, visual workflow builder, dramatically cheaper at volume.
If you're just getting started with automation, Zapier's simplicity is worth the premium. If you're running serious volume or your Zapier bill is getting uncomfortable, Make will save you real money.
The best automation platform is the one you actually use. Start somewhere.
Need Help Deciding?
If you're staring at both platforms wondering which makes sense for your specific situation, let's talk. I've set up automations on both for clients and can usually tell you in 10 minutes which one fits better.
Or if you know what you want to automate but don't want to spend your weekend learning a new tool, I can set it up for you. Either way—stop doing repetitive tasks manually. Your future self will thank you.