Zapier vs Make (Integromat): Complete Integration Platform Comparison

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Integration Platforms
2. Platform Overview
3. Feature Comparison
4. Pricing Analysis
5. Ease of Use
6. App Ecosystem
7. Performance and Reliability
8. When to Choose Zapier
9. When to Choose Make
10. Migration Considerations

Introduction to Integration Platforms

Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) tools have transformed how businesses connect their software applications. Instead of custom development for every connection, these platforms provide visual interfaces to build automated workflows between applications. The two dominant players in this space are Zapier and Make (formerly Integromat), each with distinct philosophies and capabilities.

Choosing the right platform affects your operational efficiency, scalability, and total cost of ownership. This guide provides an objective comparison to help you make an informed decision.

Before diving into platform comparisons, use our Integration Compatibility Checker to verify which platforms support the specific tools in your tech stack.

Platform Overview

Zapier

Founded in 2011, Zapier pioneered the no-code automation space. It focuses on simplicity and accessibility, making automation available to non-technical users. Zapier uses a linear workflow model where triggers initiate sequential actions.

Philosophy: "Automation for everyone" Primary Audience: Non-technical users, small businesses, individual professionals Workflow Model: Linear (trigger → action → action)

Make (Integromat)

Launched in 2012 and rebranded from Integromat in 2022, Make positions itself as a more powerful, developer-friendly alternative. It uses a visual scenario builder with support for complex logic, branching, and data manipulation.

Philosophy: "Powerful automation with visual flexibility" Primary Audience: Technical users, agencies, growing businesses Workflow Model: Visual flowchart with branching and loops

Feature Comparison

Workflow Building

Feature	Zapier	Make
Visual Builder	Linear path	Flowchart canvas
Branching Logic	Paths (limited)	Routers (unlimited)
Loops	Not natively supported	Built-in iterators
Error Handling	Basic (retry, stop)	Advanced (routes, handlers)
Conditional Logic	Filters between steps	Filters + routers
Data Transformation	Basic formatters	Full data manipulation
Multi-trigger	Not supported	Supported

Workflow Complexity

Zapier Approach:

Trigger → Filter → Action → Action → Action
              ↓
         (Path A) → Action
              ↓
         (Path B) → Action

Make Approach:

        ┌→ Route A → Action → Action
Trigger → Router
        ├→ Route B → Iterator → Action (for each item)
        │                   ↓
        │              Aggregator
        └→ Route C → Error Handler → Alert

Data Handling

Zapier:

• Basic data mapping between fields
• Built-in formatters for text, numbers, dates
• Limited ability to aggregate or transform complex data
• Line item support with caveats

Make:

• Full JSON/array manipulation
• Built-in functions for complex transformations
• Aggregators for combining multiple records
• Text parser with regex support
• Math and date functions

Example: Processing Multiple Items

Zapier approach (requires multiple zaps or Paths):

Trigger: New order with 5 line items
→ Uses line item mode
→ Creates 5 separate task executions
→ Each counts toward task limit

Make approach:

Trigger: New order with 5 line items
→ Iterator splits into 5 bundles
→ Process each item
→ Aggregator combines results
→ Single scenario run

Scheduling and Triggers

Capability	Zapier	Make
Minimum Interval	1 minute (highest tier)	1 minute (all paid)
Scheduled Triggers	Yes	Yes
Webhook Triggers	Yes	Yes
Custom Webhooks	Basic	Advanced
Polling Frequency	Plan-dependent	Configurable

Pricing Analysis

Understanding pricing requires looking beyond the advertised rates to actual usage patterns.

Zapier Pricing (2026)

Plan	Monthly Cost	Tasks	Zaps	Key Features
Free	$0	100	5	Single-step zaps
Starter	$19.99	750	20	Multi-step zaps
Professional	$49	2,000	Unlimited	Paths, custom logic
Team	$69/user	2,000	Unlimited	Shared workspaces
Enterprise	Custom	Custom	Unlimited	SSO, admin controls

What counts as a task?

• Each action execution = 1 task
• Filters don't count
• Paths multiply task usage
• Line items each count separately

Make Pricing (2026)

Plan	Monthly Cost	Operations	Scenarios	Key Features
Free	$0	1,000	2	All core features
Core	$9	10,000	Unlimited	All modules
Pro	$16	10,000	Unlimited	Full-text execution log
Teams	$29	10,000	Unlimited	Team features
Enterprise	Custom	Custom	Unlimited	Custom add-ons

What counts as an operation?

• Each module execution = 1 operation
• Filters count as operations
• Iterators count for each item processed
• Error handlers count

Real-World Cost Comparison

Scenario: Daily CRM sync with 100 contacts

Zapier:

• Trigger: 1 task
• 100 contacts × 2 actions each = 200 tasks
• Daily total: 201 tasks
• Monthly: ~6,030 tasks
• Required plan: Professional ($49+) or higher

Make:

• Trigger: 1 operation
• Iterator: 1 operation
• 100 items × 2 modules = 200 operations
• Aggregator: 1 operation
• Daily total: 203 operations
• Monthly: ~6,090 operations
• Required plan: Core ($9) handles this easily

Cost Efficiency Analysis

Use Case	More Cost-Effective
Simple, low-volume workflows	Zapier (free tier)
High-volume data processing	Make
Complex branching logic	Make
Team collaboration needs	Comparable
Enterprise requirements	Comparable

Ease of Use

Learning Curve

Zapier:

• Extremely intuitive for beginners
• Guided setup wizards
• Minimal technical knowledge required
• Limited flexibility can frustrate power users

Make:

• Steeper initial learning curve
• More powerful once learned
• Requires understanding of data structures
• Extensive documentation and tutorials

User Interface

Zapier UI Strengths:

• Clean, guided workflow
• Step-by-step configuration
• Clear error messages
• Excellent onboarding

Make UI Strengths:

• Visual scenario canvas
• Drag-and-drop modules
• Real-time execution preview
• Detailed data inspection

Template and Recipe Availability

Aspect	Zapier	Make
Pre-built Templates	6,000+	1,000+
Template Quality	Consistently good	Variable
Customization	Limited	Full
Community Sharing	Yes	Yes

App Ecosystem

Integration Count

Zapier: 6,000+ apps Make: 1,500+ apps

However, raw numbers don't tell the full story.

Integration Depth

App Category	Zapier Coverage	Make Coverage
CRM	Excellent	Excellent
Marketing	Excellent	Very Good
E-commerce	Very Good	Excellent
Development	Good	Excellent
Databases	Good	Excellent
Niche/Specialized	Better	Variable

Custom API Support

Zapier:

• Webhooks by Zapier (basic)
• Code by Zapier (JavaScript/Python)
• Requires workarounds for complex APIs

Make:

• HTTP/Webhook modules (full featured)
• Custom app creation
• GraphQL support
• SOAP API support
• Better handling of complex authentication

Building Custom Integrations

Zapier Developer Platform:

• Visual builder for simple integrations
• CLI for advanced development
• Public app listing possible
• Revenue sharing program

Make App Development:

• More technical but more powerful
• Full API access in apps
• Private app support
• Custom module creation

Performance and Reliability

Execution Speed

Metric	Zapier	Make
Instant Triggers	Yes (webhook)	Yes (webhook)
Min Polling Interval	1 min	1 min
Execution Speed	Good	Excellent
Large Data Sets	Can struggle	Handles well

Reliability and Uptime

Both platforms maintain strong uptime records:

• Zapier: 99.9% uptime SLA (Enterprise)
• Make: 99.5% uptime SLA

Error Handling Comparison

Zapier Error Handling:

Error occurs → Retry (automatic)
            → Stop zap
            → Notify user
            → Manual replay

Make Error Handling:

Error occurs → Error handler route
            → Retry with backoff
            → Fallback actions
            → Store failed bundle
            → Resume from failure point
            → Notify user

When to Choose Zapier

Zapier is the better choice when:

1. Non-Technical Users

• Marketing teams automating campaigns
• Sales teams connecting CRM to tools
• HR managing applicant workflows
• Anyone who values simplicity over power

2. Simple Automation Needs

• Linear workflows (A → B → C)
• Standard app-to-app connections
• Low to medium volume
• Basic conditional logic

3. Specific App Requirements

• Need a niche app only on Zapier
• Existing Zapier integration is superior
• Template matches your exact use case

4. Quick Implementation

• Need automation working today
• No time for learning curve
• Prototyping before building properly

Example Zapier-Ideal Workflows

• New Typeform submission → Slack notification → Google Sheets
• New Stripe customer → Mailchimp subscriber
• Calendar event → Zoom meeting → Email confirmation
• New lead → CRM record → Sales notification

When to Choose Make

Make is the better choice when:

1. Complex Workflow Requirements

• Branching logic with multiple paths
• Data transformation needs
• Loop/iteration requirements
• Error handling sophistication

2. Cost Sensitivity at Scale

• High-volume workflows
• Processing many records
• Budget constraints
• Need to maximize value

3. Technical Capabilities

• Team has technical comfort
• Need custom API connections
• Complex data manipulation
• Advanced scheduling needs

4. Data Processing Focus

• Aggregating data from multiple sources
• Complex transformations
• Working with arrays/JSON
• Building reports or dashboards

Example Make-Ideal Workflows

• E-commerce: Order → Check inventory → Route to fulfillment OR notify purchasing
• Data pipeline: Multiple sources → Transform → Aggregate → Load to warehouse
• Support: Ticket → AI classification → Route to appropriate team → SLA tracking
• Reporting: Pull from 5 sources → Transform → Generate report → Schedule delivery

Migration Considerations

Zapier to Make

Why migrate:

• Hitting task limits
• Need more complex logic
• Cost optimization
• Better API support

Migration process:

1. Document existing Zaps
2. Identify Make equivalents
3. Rebuild with enhanced logic
4. Test thoroughly
5. Run parallel briefly
6. Switch over

Challenges:

• Different mental model (linear vs. visual)
• Some apps may have different field names
• Learning curve for team

Make to Zapier

Why migrate:

• Team needs simpler tool
• Better native integration needed
• Template availability
• Reducing complexity

Migration process:

1. Audit scenario complexity
2. Identify which can be simplified
3. Accept some feature loss
4. Rebuild as Zaps
5. Test and verify

Challenges:

• May need multiple Zaps for one scenario
• Loss of advanced features
• Potential cost increase

Hybrid Approach

Some organizations use both:

• Zapier: Simple automations, non-technical users
• Make: Complex workflows, data processing

This adds management overhead but optimizes for each use case.

---

Both Zapier and Make are excellent platforms with different strengths. Zapier democratizes automation with its simplicity, while Make empowers technical users with flexibility and power. Your choice depends on your team's technical comfort, workflow complexity, budget constraints, and specific integration needs.

Use our Integration Compatibility Checker to verify both platforms support your essential tools before making a decision. Consider starting with free tiers of both to experience the differences firsthand.

The best automation platform is the one your team will actually use consistently. Sometimes that means choosing the simpler option even when you could handle the complex one.