Make vs Zapier
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | Make | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan; paid tiers scale with operations | Free plan; paid tiers scale with tasks |
| App integrations | 3,000+ connectors | 9,000+ apps |
| Key differentiator | Visual scenario builder with data transformation tools | Ease of use, AI Workflows, MCP, and SDK |
| Best for | Marketing/ops teams needing complex, visual workflows | Non-technical users automating across many apps |
| Latest news | No recent news captured | Unified task pricing for AI, code, and SDK (Mar 2026) |
| Enterprise compliance | GDPR, SOC 2, SOC 3 | SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, CCPA |
If you want visual control over complex, multi-step logic and have some technical comfort, Make is the better buy. If you prioritize sheer app count, minimal learning curve, and AI-assisted workflow generation, Zapier wins. Both are freemium, but Zapier's unified task pricing (post-2026) simplifies cost planning for AI-heavy usage.
Visual automation platform to build complex workflows and AI agents across 3,000+ apps
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Make's standout is its visual scenario builder with drag-and-drop, routers, filters, aggregators, and iterators — ideal for transforming and routing data across complex workflows. It also supports sub-scenarios for modular design, webhooks, error rollback, and data stores, giving technical teams fine-grained control. Zapier offers 9,000+ app connections (tripling Make's 3,000+), but its true edge now lies in AI: AI Workflows with generative steps, Zapier MCP to connect AI chats like ChatGPT to apps, and the Zapier SDK Beta for coding agents. Zapier also provides Tables (data storage), Forms (input capture), Canvas (visual planning with AI), and Copilot. Make counters with AI Agents and an MCP Server, but Zapier's breadth of AI-native tools is more integrated. For pure complex transformations, Make's data tools are superior; for app coverage and AI convenience, Zapier leads.
Pricing compared
Both are freemium. Make charges based on 'operations' (actions within a scenario) — high-volume usage can scale cost quickly, which may be a drawback for very active workflows. Zapier historically priced per 'tasks' (one completed Zap step), but its March 2026 news unified task pricing across AI steps, code Functions, and SDK, meaning all usage now meters the same way — simplifying budget forecasting. Zapier's free tier is generous, but paid tiers climb based on task volume; the same applies to Make. If you're planning heavy AI or code usage, Zapier's unified metering avoids surprises. If you need complex transformations, Make's operation-based pricing might be competitive for low-volume, intricate workflows.
Who should pick which
- Non-technical marketer automating lead syncPick: Zapier
Zapier's ease of use and 9,000+ apps let you connect HubSpot, Google Sheets, and Slack in minutes, with AI Workflows for natural-language setup.
- Operations lead building multi-branch CRM updatesPick: Make
Make's visual scenario builder with routers and aggregators lets you craft conditional logic and data transformations without code, offering more control than Zapier's simpler branching.
- Developer integrating AI coding agentsPick: Zapier
The Zapier SDK Beta (recent) allows you to integrate AI coding agents directly with 9,000+ apps — a feature Make lacks in its current data.
- IT team needing granular error handlingPick: Make
Make's rollback mechanisms, real-time logs, and sub-scenarios give IT the modular control needed for complex automation with fail-safes.
- Solo founder with simple task automationPick: Zapier
Zapier's free tier and pre-built app connectors get you going fast, with minimal setup — avoid Make's steeper learning curve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make vs Zapier: which should you choose?
If you want visual control over complex, multi-step logic and have some technical comfort, Make is the better buy. If you prioritize sheer app count, minimal learning curve, and AI-assisted workflow generation, Zapier wins. Both are freemium, but Zapier's unified task pricing (post-2026) simplifies cost planning for AI-heavy usage.
Which platform has more third-party integrations?
Zapier claims 9,000+ apps; Make has 3,000+ connectors. Zapier's coverage is roughly triple.
Are both platforms compliant with major security standards?
Yes: Make is GDPR, SOC 2, and SOC 3 compliant; Zapier is SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and CCPA compliant.
Can I build AI agents on either platform?
Yes. Make offers AI Agents and an MCP Server; Zapier offers Agents, Chatbots, and more AI-native tools. Zapier's set is more extensive in the current data.
Which is better for complex data transformations?
Make's splitter/aggregator and iterator tools are explicitly built for this, giving it the edge over Zapier's simpler branching.
How does pricing differ in practice?
Make bills per 'operation'; Zapier per 'task'. Zapier's unified task pricing (2026) aligns AI, code, and SDK usage, so you get one meter. Make's operation costs can scale with complex scenarios.
Can I connect my AI chatbot to automate actions?
Yes — Zapier MCP lets you connect AI chats (like ChatGPT) to apps without code. Make also has an MCP Server, but the data doesn't detail its app reach.
Is one faster for real-time automation?
Zapier is known for delays of minutes; Make's data mentions real-time execution logs, but both are cloud-based and not true real-time. Check your workflow's tolerance.
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Last reviewed: August 3, 2026