Make.com vs Zapier (Comparison Guide 2025)

When it comes to no-code automation, Make.com and Zapier are two of the biggest names in the game. Both platforms help you connect your favorite apps, automate repetitive tasks, and build workflows that save time and reduce human error without writing code.

Zapier has been a long-time favorite for its simplicity, intuitive UI, and massive library of app integrations. It’s especially popular among small businesses, solopreneurs, and marketers who need to quickly build and deploy automations with minimal setup.

Make.com (formerly Integromat), on the other hand, is a go-to choice for users who need more flexibility and advanced logic. With its visual, drag-and-drop scenario builder and detailed customization options, Make is ideal for technical users and teams that want more control over their workflows.

In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between Make.com and Zapier so you can choose the right automation tool for your needs.

Key Takeaways

• Choose Make.com over Zapier when you need more complex automation with conditional logic, data transformations, and a visual workflow builder.
• Choose Zapier over Make.com when you need a faster setup, easier learning curve, and access to a larger library of pre-built app integrations.
• Choose Knack over Make.com and Zapier when you need to build a complete, custom no-code application with built-in data management, user interfaces, and workflow automation—all in one platform.

Why You May Want to Choose Make.com Over Zapier (and Vice Versa)

Both Make.com and Zapier are powerful automation tools, but they each shine in different areas. The right choice depends on the type of workflows you’re building, your technical comfort level, and how much flexibility you need.

When Make.com is the Better Choice

If you’re looking to build more advanced workflows with multiple steps, conditions, and data transformations, Make.com may be your best bet. It’s built for users who need power and precision because it offers:

• More Complex Workflows: Make.com is built for advanced scenarios. If your workflow involves conditional logic, iterations, or branching paths, Make offers more flexibility.
• Data Processing & Transformations: You can format data, run calculations, and apply logic directly in the automation, making it easier to manage more sophisticated tasks.
• Visual Workflow Builder: The drag-and-drop interface helps you map out your workflows visually, making it easier to troubleshoot and optimize complex logic.
• More Cost-Effective for Complex Automations: Because pricing is based on operations, not individual steps, Make.com often ends up being more affordable for workflows with multiple actions.
• Greater API and Webhook Capabilities: If your automation relies heavily on custom APIs or webhook configurations, Make gives developers more control and flexibility.
  Parallel Processing & Error Handling: Unlike Zapier, Make.com can run steps in parallel and has more detailed error-handling tools, which is a major plus for reliability.

When Zapier is the Better Choice

If simplicity and speed are what you’re after, Zapier makes automation easy, even for beginners. It’s an ideal platform for quickly connecting apps and setting up workflows that just work, without the need for deep technical knowledge. It offers:

• Larger Integration Library: Zapier supports over 6,000 apps, giving you a broader range of tools to connect without needing custom configurations.
• Faster Setup for Simple Workflows: Need a quick trigger-action automation? Zapier makes it easy to get up and running in minutes.
• Stronger Enterprise-Level Support: From SSO to SOC 2 compliance, Zapier has more robust support features for larger teams and businesses.
• More Reliable for Basic Automations: If your workflows are simple and don’t require data transformation, Zapier tends to offer more stability with less troubleshooting.
• Pre-Built Templates for Popular Use Cases: Zapier’s template library is extensive, helping you skip the setup and jump straight into automating common tasks.

Related: Airtable vs. ClickUp vs. Knack

Common Use Cases for Make.com and Zapier

Make.com and Zapier are both versatile tools that can power automations across a wide range of industries and departments. Whether you’re handling day-to-day tasks for a small team or managing more technical backend workflows, there’s a good chance one of these platforms can streamline your process. Let’s explore how each one performs in some of the most common automation scenarios.

Small Business Automation

Automation helps small teams work smarter, not harder. From managing customer relationships to keeping support tickets organized, both platforms offer valuable tools for day-to-day business operations.

Popular Use Cases

• Automating email marketing workflows.
• Managing customer support tickets.
• Syncing data between CRMs and other tools.

How Each Platform Handles It

• Zapier makes it easy to set up popular small business automations with pre-built templates and an intuitive interface.
• Make.com offers more customization for businesses that want to build logic-heavy workflows tailored to their exact processes.

E-commerce Automation

E-commerce businesses thrive on speed and accuracy. Automation helps keep inventory, orders, and customer communication flowing without constant manual input. 

Popular Use Cases

• Processing orders and updating inventory.
• Sending automated shipping notifications.
• Managing abandoned cart follow-ups.

How Each Platform Handles It

• Zapier connects with most major e-commerce platforms and provides ready-to-use integrations for common tasks.
• Make.com excels when you need to go deeper, such as transforming order data or managing workflows based on specific conditions.

Marketing Automation

Marketing teams use automation to streamline campaigns, track performance, and manage lead flow. The goal is to stay responsive and reduce manual workload.

Popular Use Cases

• Auto-responding to leads from web forms.
• Scheduling social media posts.
• Syncing ad campaign performance data.

How Each Platform Handles It

• Zapier is ideal for quick, predefined workflows that support popular marketing tools.
• Make.com provides more control when building multi-path workflows or integrating custom data rules.

Related: ClickUp Integrations vs. Knack Integrations

IT and Developer Workflows

Technical teams often require automation for system updates, data management, and integration with custom tools. These workflows tend to involve more complex logic and API interaction.

Popular Use Cases

• Managing API connections and webhooks.
• Automating database updates.
• Monitoring and alerting system performance.

How Each Platform Handles It

• Zapier supports basic webhook and API functionality for straightforward tasks.
• Make.com is a better choice for advanced workflows that require data parsing, looping, and detailed error handling.

Feature Comparison: Make.com vs. Zapier

Choosing the right automation platform often comes down to specific features. While both Make.com and Zapier help users automate tasks between apps, they take different approaches in how workflows are built, customized, and priced.

Workflow Complexity

Zapier uses a simple, linear structure where one trigger leads to a series of follow-up actions. This format works well for straightforward automations with few variables.

Make.com supports more complex workflows that include conditional logic, branching paths, and repeated steps. This flexibility makes it a better fit for users who need to manage logic-heavy processes or advanced scenarios.

User Interface & Usability

Zapier offers a clean and easy-to-follow setup experience. Users are guided step by step through creating automations, which makes the platform especially accessible for beginners.

Make.com uses a visual, drag-and-drop interface. It displays the entire workflow in one view and allows users to test and adjust automations in real time. This design is helpful for understanding how each step connects and debugging complex flows.

Pricing Models

Zapier charges based on the number of tasks your workflows perform. Each action, no matter how small, counts toward your monthly limit. This model can add up quickly for multi-step workflows.

Make.com uses an operations-based pricing structure. Each operation, such as a data transformation or conditional check, counts toward your monthly usage. This can be more cost-effective for users running complex scenarios with fewer tasks.

Customization & Flexibility

Zapier relies heavily on pre-built app integrations. While this makes setup easier, it can be limiting when workflows need custom logic or data formatting.

Make.com offers more control over how data is processed. It supports functions like data parsing, iteration, and custom functions, giving users more options when building highly tailored workflows.

Comparison of Top Integrations

Both Make.com and Zapier support a wide range of popular apps, but the depth of integration and customization options can vary. If your automation depends heavily on certain tools, it’s important to understand how each platform handles them.

CRM and Sales Tools

CRM platforms like HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive are central to many business workflows. Zapier offers quick, reliable integrations with all three, making it easy to create lead routing, follow-ups, and contact syncing. Make.com provides more control for advanced use cases, such as custom field mapping, conditional triggers, and multi-step updates across tools.

Project Management Tools

Task and project management tools such as Trello, Asana, and Monday.com are frequently automated to improve team productivity. Zapier makes it simple to create task-based automations like assigning tasks or updating statuses. Make.com allows for deeper task logic, such as looping through boards or lists, creating dependencies, and syncing with other tools in real time.

E-commerce and Payment Processors

Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Stripe, and PayPal are often the backbone of online businesses. Zapier integrates smoothly with these tools and supports common automations like new order alerts or payment confirmations. Make.com handles more advanced workflows such as multi-item order processing, dynamic inventory updates, and conditional actions based on payment status or product type.

Communication Tools

Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Discord are key for keeping teams informed and connected. Zapier is great for setting up quick alerts, like sending a message when a task is completed or a form is submitted. Make.com provides more flexibility. It enables workflows that include message formatting, file uploads, and cross-channel notifications.

Cloud Storage & Productivity Apps

Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive are often used in document-heavy workflows, from storing client files to managing reports. Zapier supports basic file handling tasks like uploading, copying, or organizing files into folders. Make.com has more advanced options, including conditional logic for file naming, bulk file processing, and better integration with other tools in the same scenario.

Public Reviews and Ratings Comparison

One of the best ways to evaluate an automation platform before committing is to explore what actual users have to say about it. While both have high ratings on G2 (4.7/5 stars for Make.com and 4.5/5 stars for Zapier), users have their own opinions about the strengths and weaknesses of each platform.

Strengths, According to Users

Zapier receives high marks for its ease of use and extensive integration capabilities. Users frequently highlight the platform’s intuitive interface, which allows individuals without coding skills to set up automated workflows efficiently. The availability of numerous pre-built connectors simplifies the process of linking various applications. For instance, a reviewer on G2 notes, “What I appreciate most about Zapier is its ease of use and intuitive interface. The most remarkable aspect is that you can build even very complex automation scenarios without any coding or development skills. This makes it a true game-changer for anyone looking to automate their workflows, regardless of their technical background.”

Make.com is praised for its affordability and visual workflow builder. Users appreciate the platform’s cost-effectiveness compared to competitors and its versatile, intuitive interface. According to one G2 reviewer, “Make.com is a fantastic platform for building automations and no-code solutions… The number of features it offers is astonishing—significantly more than most competitors. It’s a dream tool for developers, as it allows deep customization and flexibility.”

Weaknesses, According to Users

While Zapier is lauded for its user-friendly design, some users express concerns about pricing, particularly as automation needs scale, and customer support response times. Additionally, there are mentions of limited error-handling capabilities. For example, a Capterra reviewer states, “It is missing the error handling functionality that exists in Integromat [Make], to choose how the integration will act in case of some error.”

Make.com users report challenges with customer support responsiveness. Some users experience delays in receiving assistance, which can be frustrating when encountering issues. A G2 reviewer notes, “Support is all but non-existent with tickets sometimes being answered in a day but during other times it can take many days.”

6 Reasons Why Knack Might Be a Better Choice for Custom Application Development

Zapier and Make.com are great for connecting tools and automating workflows. But if you’re building a full-featured app—or if you’re tired of stitching together multiple platforms—Knack gives you more control, more flexibility, and a lot more power in one place. Here’s why Knack might be the better fit for your custom application needs.

1. All-in-One No-Code Database and Automation

Knack isn’t just about automating workflows—it’s about building complete applications from the ground up. With Knack, you can manage your data, create logic-based workflows, and design user interfaces, all without leaving the platform.

2. Integrated Data Management

Instead of relying on third-party CRMs or spreadsheets, you can store, manage, and manipulate your data directly in Knack. That means fewer sync issues, better control, and a centralized source of truth for your business.

3. Customizable User Interfaces

Zapier and Make.com work in the background. Knack gives you a front-end, too. Build dashboards, forms, reports, and portals that your users can interact with without writing code.

4. Advanced Workflow Automation with Database Connectivity

Because Knack is built on top of a powerful no-code database, you can trigger automations based on real-time data changes. There’s no need for external tools or workarounds—just seamless, integrated automation that works with your app’s logic and structure.

5. Cost-Effective for Custom Solutions

While Zapier and Make.com charge based on the number of tasks or operations, Knack includes full application functionality in its pricing. That means you get automation, data management, and front-end tools under one subscription.

6. Scalability for Growing Businesses

As your business grows, so do your needs. Knack scales with you by letting you build full-featured apps instead of stacking multiple tools together. One platform, endless opportunities.

Get Started with Knack Today

Zapier and Make.com are solid choices for automating workflows between apps, especially if you’re looking to streamline repetitive tasks. But when your goal is to build something bigger—like a fully functional internal tool, customer portal, or operations dashboard—Knack gives you every tool you need.

With Knack, you can design your own database, create powerful workflows, and build custom interfaces your team or customers can actually use. No need to juggle multiple tools or stitch together workarounds. Just one platform to build, manage, and grow your app your way. 

Ready to get started? Sign up with Knack and start building for free today!