Automation used to sound futuristic. Now, it’s just something we do to save time at work. For teams and solo workers alike, the question is less about whether automation is worth it, and more about which tool actually gets the job done. Two names show up a lot: Zapier and Make (which you might remember used to be called Integromat).
If you’re here, you’re probably comparing these two apps and trying to figure out which is right for you. Let’s walk through how they differ, what they’re good at, and some real stories from people who use them.
What’s Zapier All About?
Zapier’s been around since 2011. It started as a small project by a few friends who wanted to connect different software apps easily. The company quickly found its niche, mostly by making it really simple for people to link, say, Gmail with Slack, or spreadsheets with payment providers.
That’s Zapier’s biggest thing: it’s friendly for beginners and gets you automating in minutes. You can set up chains of events—called “Zaps”—without any coding. Think, “When someone submits a form on my site, send me an email and update a Google Sheet.” Most folks can set up those sorts of workflows in 10 minutes.
The most common uses? Zapier shines with busy marketers, small businesses, and anyone using a lot of popular SaaS (software-as-a-service) products. If there’s a big-name business app out there, there’s a good chance Zapier has an integration ready for it.
A Look at Make
Make launched in 2016 under the name Integromat and became popular with techies looking for more powerful automations. In 2022, the company rebranded as Make. From the start, it focused on letting users build more complicated flows—workflows here are called “Scenarios.”
A lot of developers and advanced users lean toward Make because the interface is visual (think flow charts), but it also lets you plug in complex logic, do data crunching, and use built-in functions. Want to move files from Dropbox to Google Drive, analyze them, and send reports, all in one process? Make’s made for that.
It’s often used by IT departments, operations pros, or anyone working across several departments with lots of moving parts. If you want to break out of the drag-and-drop simplicity and build something more custom, Make is pretty attractive.
Core Features: Where Zapier and Make Differ
Let’s talk about how they actually work day-to-day.
Zapier’s user interface feels like a checklist. Pick an app, set a trigger (like “new email received”), then pick an action (like “add a row to a spreadsheet”). It’s hard to get lost, even if you’re new.
Make’s interface, on the other hand, looks more like a map. You build shapes (modules) that connect to each other. At first glance it might feel harder, but for people who want to visualize complex paths—like when you need ten things to happen in order—it offers more flexibility.
When it comes to integrations, Zapier supports thousands of apps out of the box—mostly popular business tools and social media. Make’s list is shorter, but it offers more depth, especially when you want multi-step flows or have apps that aren’t on Zapier yet. Plus, Make lets you call APIs directly (if you feel adventurous).
Workflow depth matters too. Zapier lets you build straight-line processes, with logic branching and filters. But there’s a limit: if you want to loop things, reprocess data, or nest steps inside steps, Make pulls ahead.
Pricing: What Does It Cost?
Both platforms have free tiers and offer paid plans, but they structure their pricing differently.
Zapier’s free plan lets you run 100 tasks a month, limited to single-step zaps. If you want multi-step flows, more app choices, or higher task volumes, you’ll need a paid plan. Paid tiers start at $19.99 a month (billed annually), with pricing jumping up as you need more automations or users.
Make’s free plan gives you 1,000 operations per month and allows complex workflows, which is generous for light users. Paid plans start at $9 a month (billed annually), with added features, higher limits, and improved support as you go up the pricing ladder.
If you’re a heavy automation user running thousands of processes every week, pricing flexibility matters. For many people, Make’s pricing goes further at the lower end. But large teams may find Zapier’s team features worth the extra spend.
Zapier: Pros and Cons
Zapier’s biggest strength is its simplicity. You can start from zero knowledge and get workflows going in minutes. The library of integrations is enormous—everything from Gmail to Trello to newer productivity tools.
The downside is in depth. If your workflows get too complicated, you’ll hit a wall. Things like looping, multi-branch logic, or working with custom APIs can turn clunky.
The service is also a bit more expensive if you want advanced features or run high volumes, and occasional users complain about limited paths in logic.
Make: What’s Good and What’s Not
Power is Make’s claim to fame. You get advanced variables, full-featured workflow builder, and easy connections with less common apps. Visual flowcharts help you see complex workflows at a glance.
But there’s a tradeoff. Make has a steeper learning curve, especially for new users. The terminology (“modules,” “scenarios”) and visual builder can seem overwhelming if you’ve never done automation before.
Few people complain about the actual limits of the platform—but support response times on starter plans could be better.
When Should You Choose Zapier?
Zapier makes sense if you’re just starting out, or you need to get lots of simple integrations up and running quickly.
For example, let’s say you’re running a marketing team and want every Facebook lead sent to your CRM. With Zapier, it takes five minutes. If you’re in retail, and want to update inventory levels between Shopify and Google Sheets, again, no problem.
Plenty of tech startups and solo founders switch over to Zapier just because it’s predictable. The “recipe” style setup is easy for teams to understand, even if nobody on the team codes.
When Should You Go for Make?
If you want to build complicated, multi-step processes—or you’re managing data between several unrelated tools—Make is the better fit. Think an HR department running onboarding workflows across payroll, messaging, and document tools.
Operations people and businesses with dozens of data points moving every day get a lot out of the way Make lets you see and tweak your workflows. One consultant we spoke with runs inventory tracking for clients using Make’s API calls—something she couldn’t do in Zapier without a lot of extra steps.
Industries like logistics, SaaS product management, and back-office IT processes often pick Make over Zapier for this flexibility. If you enjoy tinkering and seeing the “blueprint” of your workflow, you’ll appreciate it.
What Users Are Actually Saying
Reviews of both platforms consistently mention the user experience. Zapier users love how simple it is to get going. Common complaints focus on hitting technical walls or surprise overage charges when workflows scale up.
People using Make seem evenly split: some are delighted with the visual scenario builder, while others need time to learn the interface. On Reddit, specialized business forums, and tech review sites, the ratings for each hover around 4 to 4.5 stars out of five.
Business teams and freelancers mention reliability as a Zapier highlight; data-focused users rave about Make’s flexibility. One IT director in a regional bank put it this way: “Zapier feels like ‘plug and play,’ but when you need serious muscle, Make doesn’t say no.”
If you want to read more user experiences, you might want to check out industry review sites or forums—for example, the stories at mod70-europeantour.com include a few automation case studies from medium-sized companies.
Wrapping Up: Which Should You Pick?
Choosing Zapier or Make probably comes down to what you need most. If you’re after simple, ready-made connections between major business apps, Zapier is easy, quick, and hard to break.
If your automation needs grow or your data gets more complex—maybe you’re tracking orders across six systems—Make’s flexibility will help. It’s a bit more work upfront, but you avoid rebuilding workflows later.
For most people, trying both is smart. Make sure to map out the processes you need, test using the free tiers, and see which one your team prefers.
Useful Resources
– Zapier Official Site: [zapier.com](https://zapier.com)
– Make Official Site: [make.com](https://www.make.com)
– Video guides for both platforms are easy to find on YouTube. Start with Zapier’s own channel or search “Make (Integromat) workflow tutorials.”
– Both Zapier and Make offer searchable help centers and live chat for premium users.
– Community forums can be helpful if you need custom advice from people who’ve already solved similar problems.
So, which should you choose? In the end, it’s about which one actually fits how your team works now—and where you plan to go next. Most businesses start with something simple. Later, when the workflows get hairier, they switch it up. It’s just how tech goes.