When it comes to Zapier vs Make for small business, both tools promise to automate your workflows without code — but they have very different strengths. Choosing the wrong one can cost you time and money.
This guide breaks down both tools in depth so you can make the right choice for your business.
What Are Zapier and Make?
Both Zapier and Make (formerly Integromat) are no-code automation platforms. They connect your apps and automate tasks between them. Instead of manually copying data from one app to another, you build a “workflow” once and the tool does it for you, forever.
Zapier Overview
Zapier launched in 2011 and pioneered the no-code automation space. It connects over 6,000 apps — more than any other platform. Zapier uses a simple trigger-action model: “When X happens in App A, do Y in App B.”
Best known for: Ease of use, massive app library, reliability
Make Overview
Make (previously Integromat) launched in 2012 and focuses on powerful, visual automation. Where Zapier workflows are linear, Make’s visual editor lets you build complex, branching workflows that handle multiple scenarios. Make connects to over 1,500 apps.
Best known for: Power users, complex workflows, better value
Zapier vs Make: Pricing
Zapier Pricing
- Free: 100 tasks/month, 5 Zaps
- Starter ($19.99/mo): 750 tasks, 20 Zaps, multi-step Zaps
- Professional ($49/mo): 2,000 tasks, unlimited Zaps
- Team ($69/mo): 2,000 tasks, shared workspaces
Make Pricing
- Free: 1,000 operations/month, unlimited scenarios
- Core ($9/mo): 10,000 operations, unlimited scenarios
- Pro ($16/mo): 10,000 operations, advanced features
- Teams ($29/mo): 10,000 operations, team features
Winner on price: Make — significantly cheaper at every tier, and the free plan is more generous.
Zapier vs Make: Ease of Use
Zapier wins on simplicity. Its step-by-step wizard guides you through connecting apps, and most automations take under 5 minutes to set up. It’s ideal for business owners who want results without a learning curve.
Make has a steeper learning curve. Its visual canvas-based editor is powerful but can be overwhelming at first. However, once you learn it, you can build automations that Zapier simply can’t handle.
Winner on ease of use: Zapier
Zapier vs Make: App Integrations
Zapier connects to 6,000+ apps vs Make’s 1,500+. For most small businesses, this doesn’t matter — you likely use 10–20 apps. But if you rely on niche software, Zapier is more likely to support it.
Winner on integrations: Zapier
Zapier vs Make: Workflow Complexity
This is where Make shines. Make supports:
- Branching logic (if/else conditions)
- Loops and iterators
- Error handling
- Multiple triggers in one scenario
- Aggregating and transforming data
Zapier’s “Paths” feature adds some branching, but it’s nowhere near as flexible as Make for complex use cases.
Winner on complexity: Make
Zapier vs Make: Reliability
Zapier has a strong reputation for reliability and uptime. It also offers better error notifications and logging. Make is reliable too, but Zapier’s infrastructure and customer support are more mature.
Winner on reliability: Zapier
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Zapier if:
- You’re new to automation and want something simple
- You need to connect niche or obscure apps
- Your workflows are straightforward (trigger → 1-3 actions)
- Budget is less of a concern
Choose Make if:
- You want more power for less money
- You need complex, branching workflows
- You’re comfortable with a learning curve
- You run high-volume automations (Make’s per-operation pricing is cheaper)
Can You Use Both?
Many businesses use Zapier for simple day-to-day automations and Make for complex data processing workflows. This isn’t unusual — each tool does what it’s best at.
Final Verdict: Zapier vs Make for Small Business
For most small businesses just getting started with automation, Zapier is the better starting point due to its simplicity and larger app library. If you’re on a tight budget or need more complex workflows, Make delivers more value at a lower price point.
Either way, automating your business is one of the highest-ROI decisions you can make. Start with the free plan of whichever you choose and build your first automation today.