Make vs Zapier

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings

Analysis reviewed Live tool data as of 2026-09-29
Cross-checked through our multi-step verification ·
Saved

At a glance

DimensionMakeZapier
PricingFree plan; paid tiers scale with operationsFree plan; paid tiers scale with tasks
App integrations3,000+ connectors9,000+ apps
Key differentiatorVisual scenario builder with data transformation toolsEase of use, AI Workflows, MCP, and SDK
Best forMarketing/ops teams needing complex, visual workflowsNon-technical users automating across many apps
Latest newsNo recent news capturedUnified task pricing for AI, code, and SDK (Mar 2026)
Enterprise complianceGDPR, SOC 2, SOC 3SOC 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.

Try MakeTry Zapier
Make
Make

Visual AI automation platform for building workflows and AI agents across 3,000+ apps

Visit Website
Zapier
Zapier

Zapier connects 9,000+ apps with no-code AI workflows, MCP connectors, and task-based pricing

Visit Website
Pricing
Freemium
Freemium
Plans
$0/mo
$9/mo
$16/mo
Custom
$0/mo
Starting from $19.99/mo
Contact sales
Popularity
4.8k views
3.6k views
Skill Level
Intermediate
Beginner-friendly
API Available
Platforms
Web
Web
Categories
🤖 Automation & Agents
🤖 Automation & Agents
Features
Drag-and-drop scenario builder for visual workflow design
3,000+ pre-built app connectors plus custom API actions
Routers, filters, aggregators, and iterators for data transformation
Make AI Agents that take action across connected apps
Library of ready-made AI agents to deploy and adapt
Make MCP Server linking AI models to business actions
Maia by Make: build automations and agents via natural conversation
Build by prompt, drag-and-drop, or via MCP
Agentic automation that adapts in real time to business needs
Make Grid for managing your whole automation landscape visually
Error handling with rollback
Real-time execution logs and monitoring
Sub-scenarios for modular workflow design
Data stores for persistent workflow state
Enterprise security: SSO, encryption, GDPR, SOC 2 Type II, SOC 3
Connect 9,000+ apps through pre-built, governed integrations
Build multi-step Zaps with filters and branching logic
Run Zapier MCP tool calls from Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, and 230+ other AI tools
Use one secure MCP connection with no passwords or API keys required
Install the Zapier SDK for AI coding agents via npm install @zapier/zapier-sdk (beta)
Install the Zapier SDK CLI for terminal-based agent setup (beta)
Build Next Gen Zaps with advanced logic and self-healing automatic recovery (early access)
Audit every agent action and workflow run through a single log
Set granular per-member permissions across 66,000+ triggers and actions
Store structured data in Tables that Zaps read and update
Capture inputs with Forms that trigger workflows
Plan and map workflows visually with Canvas
Create AI Agents for task-specific automation
Deploy AI Chatbots that answer customer questions
Run AI steps, code steps, and SDK calls on one unified task-based pricing meter
Integrations
OpenAI
HubSpot CRM
monday.com
NetSuite
Salesforce
Slack
Canva
Perplexity AI
DeepSeek AI
Google Sheets
Gmail
HubSpot
Notion
ChatGPT (OpenAI)
Claude
Microsoft Teams
Zendesk
Jira Software Cloud
Microsoft Dynamics CRM
QuickBooks Online
ServiceNow

What real users say: Make vs Zapier

Not marketing copy and not our opinion — a structured sweep of public discussion (reviews, forums, communities and video comments), showing what people praise and what they complain about for each tool.

Make

94 mentions across 7 sources · 31% positive — critical (averaged across 7 sources)

Hacker News, YouTube, Product Hunt, App Store, Stack Overflow, Lemmy, Tech Press

What users praise

  • • Powerful drag-and-drop workflow builder with routers, filters, and iterators.
  • • Deep customization beyond Zapier, letting users fine-tune data transformations.
  • • 3,000+ app integrations covering major business tools like Slack and OpenAI.
  • • Sub-scenarios and modular design keep complex automations organized.

What frustrates them

  • • Mobile app crashes repeatedly and lacks core scenario management.
  • • Learning curve is steep for non-technical users, despite 'easy' marketing.
  • • Support response times can be extremely slow, with tickets sometimes ignored.
  • • Name 'Make' is too generic, causing confusion about what it does.

Researched Aug 18, 2026

Zapier

81 mentions across 5 sources · 62% positive — mixed (averaged across 5 sources)

Hacker News, YouTube, Product Hunt, Stack Overflow, Lemmy

What users praise

  • • Huge library of 9,000+ integrations.
  • • Beginner-friendly, no-code interface.
  • • Great for simple cross-app automations.
  • • Strong documentation and support.

What frustrates them

  • • Easily becomes expensive at scale.
  • • Limited to simple, linear logic.
  • • Debugging is hard for complex Zaps.
  • • Power users find it inflexible.

Researched Aug 18, 2026

Who should pick which

  • Non-technical marketer automating lead sync
    Pick: 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 updates
    Pick: 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 agents
    Pick: 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 handling
    Pick: 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 automation
    Pick: 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.

More Make or Zapier comparisons

Workato vs Zapier comparison

If you're an enterprise wrestling with SAP-to-Salesforce data flows and need governed multi-agent orchestration, Workato is the heavyweight choice — its MCP Gateway and AIRO give IT teams control that

Make vs n8n comparison

For business teams wanting a polished, no-code canvas to connect thousands of SaaS apps with advanced visual logic, Make is the safer bet. For engineers and IT/SecOps teams who need self-hosting, code

Lindy vs Zapier comparison

If your pain is calendar chaos and a flooded inbox, Lindy feels like a personalized chief of staff at your fingertips—just text it. But if you live across dozens of business apps and need to automate

Create vs Make comparison

If your goal is to automate cross-app business processes (CRM, email, databases), Make is the clear choice with its 3,000+ connectors and visual logic. If you want to build a functional web or mobile

Integrately vs Zapier comparison

If you're budget-driven and want automation live in minutes without configuration, Integrately's 1-click approach is unbeatable — especially with free custom automation building. If your team needs 9,

Composio vs Zapier comparison

If you're a developer embedding AI agents into your product and need deep, per-user integration control, Composio is the clear winner—its SDKs and MCP support let you ship fast without managing OAuth.

Explore each tool further

Make
View Make reviewMake alternatives
Zapier
View Zapier reviewZapier alternatives

Browse these categories

Best AI Automation & Agents tools
Still deciding? Get the weekly AI tools brief

One email a week — new tools, honest comparisons, no spam.

Last reviewed: August 3, 2026