Make vs Zapier: No-Code Automation Platforms Compared

At a glance

Make and Zapier are visual no-code automation platforms connecting thousands of applications without code. Their primary differences stem from metering models (Make uses credits per action; Zapier uses tasks per completed action), pricing structure, and feature emphasis. Make focuses on AI-native workflows and custom logic, while Zapier emphasizes team collaboration and predictable pricing across its unified platform.

	Make	Zapier
Best for	Solo builders and small teams needing AI agents and deep logic	Teams prioritizing collaboration and transparent task-based pricing
Main features	Visual builder, AI agents, custom code, 3,500+ apps	Visual builder, unlimited workflows, Tables, Forms, MCP integration
Free plan	1,000 credits/month	100 tasks/month
Starting price (paid)	$9/month (Core, billed annually)	$19.99/month (Professional, billed annually)
Integrations	3,500+ apps	9,000+ apps
Pricing model	Credit-based per action	Task-based per completed action

Make: strengths and limits

Make’s architecture relies on visual scenario building with a credit system. Each module action, such as adding a row to Google Sheets or retrieving Gmail data, consumes one credit. The platform targets builders who need complex logic and AI-driven automations.

Key strengths include AI capabilities included on all tiers. Make AI Agents and the Make AI Toolkit are available across every plan, enabling you to build and manage AI agents using Make’s AI Provider or your own LLM key. The AI Content Extractor pulls structured text and metadata from files within workflows. AI Web Search, currently in beta, brings live web data into automations. The Make Code App supports custom JavaScript or Python logic, charged at two credits per second of execution time. This appeals to builders requiring control beyond pre-built connectors.

Make’s integration library includes 3,500+ apps. The platform offers Routers and Filters for conditional logic, Custom Variables on paid plans, and system-level variables for accessing execution metadata. Scenario Outputs allow you to define and return structured data in real time. The Free plan includes 1,000 credits monthly with 15-minute intervals between runs; Core adds unlimited active scenarios and minute-level scheduling control.

Limitations emerge in team collaboration and pricing clarity. Team features are available on the Teams plan ($29 monthly), but the credit model can become unclear at scale, especially when custom code execution multiplies costs. The 15-minute run interval on the Free plan may constrain time-sensitive automations. Support on lower tiers remains standard rather than prioritized. There is no integrated form-building tool comparable to Zapier’s Forms. For teams of five or more, cumulative costs may increase faster than competing platforms.

Zapier: strengths and limits

Zapier’s model centers on tasks, completed actions counted toward your monthly allocation. The platform integrates Zap workflows, Tables (structured data storage), Forms (custom form builder), and Zapier MCP (integration with Claude, ChatGPT, and other MCP-compatible AI assistants).

Key strengths include unlimited Zap workflows on every plan, meaning you can build as many automations as needed without consolidating. All plans include Copilot, an AI-powered assistant for brainstorming, building, and maintaining systems. Zapier MCP ships on every plan, allowing you to trigger actions across 9,000+ apps directly from Claude or ChatGPT, a significant capability for organizations using AI agents. Forms and Tables are included on all plans, enabling you to build structured data collection and management without separate costs.

The task-based pricing model aims for transparency. Advanced steps such as Filters, Paths, and Formatter do not consume task counts, meaning you can add logic without accumulating hidden costs. The Free plan grants 100 tasks monthly; Professional ($19.99 monthly) includes 750 tasks. Multi-step Zaps, premium app integrations, and webhooks are available on Professional and above. Team plan ($69 monthly) adds collaboration features: 25 users, shared folders, shared app connections, user roles, and SAML SSO. Enterprise plans offer custom task limits, unlimited users, advanced admin controls, and dedicated technical account managers.

Limitations focus on upfront monthly cost and task consumption patterns. While Zapier emphasizes task-based pricing as more transparent, high-volume automations can still exceed monthly allocations quickly if workflows have many steps or trigger frequently. The two-step limit on Free plans is restrictive compared to Make’s scenario builder, though multi-step workflows unlock on Professional and above. The 15-minute polling interval on the Free plan differs from Make’s baseline, with Professional and Team plans improving to two and one minute respectively. For solo builders experimenting without team needs, the Professional plan cost ($19.99 monthly minimum) may exceed Make’s $9 monthly entry point.

Price and plans

Make pricing operates on credits. The Free plan provides 1,000 credits monthly at no charge, with a 15-minute minimum run interval. Core ($9 monthly when billed annually, or $10.59 monthly) includes 10,000 credits monthly and removes scheduling constraints. Pro ($16 monthly billed annually, or $19.20 monthly) grants full-text execution log search and priority scenario execution. Teams ($29 monthly billed annually, or $34.80 monthly) adds team roles and scenario template sharing. Enterprise plans include 24/7 support and custom function integrations. Overage credits cost $1.60 per 1,000 on the Pro tier. Each module action consumes one credit; custom code execution costs two credits per second. This model benefits builders with simple, focused automations but may become expensive for high-volume or heavily coded workflows.

Zapier pricing operates on tasks per completed action. The Free plan offers 100 tasks monthly with two-step Zaps only. Professional ($19.99 monthly when billed annually, or $29.99 monthly) unlocks 750 tasks monthly, multi-step workflows, and advanced tools. Team ($69 monthly billed annually, or $103.50 monthly) supports 25 users and collaboration features. Enterprise pricing is custom and requires contact with sales. Zapier notes that advanced steps (Filters, Paths, Formatter, Code by Zapier) do not count as tasks. Code by Zapier includes 30 seconds of runtime per step on Professional and Team tiers, increasing to two minutes on Enterprise. Tasks consumed beyond the monthly limit are billed per task completed. This creates cost predictability for workflows incorporating rich logic.

Comparison: Make’s Free tier (1,000 credits) surpasses Zapier’s Free tier (100 tasks) in raw volume, making Make more accessible for initial testing. Make’s Core plan ($9 monthly) undercuts Zapier’s Professional plan ($19.99 monthly) for solo users. However, Zapier’s inclusion of unlimited workflows, Forms, and Tables on all plans means fewer surprises when scaling. Make’s credit model can be less predictable if custom code or complex module chains accumulate. Zapier’s task model isolates logic steps from consumption, which appeals to teams building intricate workflows. For high-volume scenarios, Make’s overage costs and Zapier’s per-task overages both require careful monitoring.

Which one should you choose

Choose Make if you are a solo builder or small team focused on AI-driven workflows and deep custom logic. Make’s AI Agents, AI Toolkit, and custom code execution are included on every plan, making it a fit for automations requiring decision-making or data transformation. Choose Make if you prefer minute-level scheduling control and want to build complex scenarios with routers, filters, and system variables. Choose Make if cost is a priority on entry, the Free and Core plans cost less than Zapier’s Professional tier. Choose Make if you need to extend workflows with custom JavaScript or Python without paying for a separate development layer.

Choose Zapier if you operate as a team and need native collaboration, shared workflows, and transparent pricing. Zapier’s unlimited Zap workflows, Tables, and Forms mean your entire platform grows with one pricing model without separate add-ons. Choose Zapier if you already use Claude, ChatGPT, or MCP-compatible AI assistants, Zapier MCP lets you orchestrate 9,000+ apps directly from your AI agent without leaving the chat interface. Choose Zapier if you value predictable costs and want advanced logic (Filters, Paths, Formatter) that does not consume task allowances. Choose Zapier if you need formal team governance, SAML SSO, and audit logs. Choose Zapier if you are building forms for data collection, since Forms are included on every plan without metering.

Common questions

Not published.

The conclusion

Make and Zapier both deliver no-code automation at scale, serving different priorities. Make emphasizes AI agents, custom code, and lower entry costs for solo builders. Zapier emphasizes team collaboration, all-in-one platform features (workflows, tables, forms, and MCP integration), and transparent task-based metering.

The choice depends on workflow complexity, team size, and how deeply you integrate AI into your automation strategy. Solo builders and AI-native teams may find Make’s lower baseline cost and built-in AI agents appealing. Teams managing large automation portfolios across departments may prefer Zapier’s unified platform, unlimited workflows, and collaboration features.

Both platforms include AI capabilities natively. Neither requires you to choose between automation and AI orchestration. The question is which platform’s pricing model, feature set, and team tools align with your organization’s current and planned needs.

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