Make vs Zapier: Workflow Runs, Plans & Access

Make (formerly Integromat) and Zapier are both automation platforms that connect apps to move data between them, but they differ sharply in how they meter usage, what their paid plans include, and how much technical control you get. The short answer: Zapier charges per “task” (a completed automation step) and is simpler to learn, while Make charges per “operation” (a single action within a scenario) and offers more flexible, visual workflows for the same or lower cost.

Background: What Each Platform Is

Zapier launched in 2011 and popularized the “if this, then that” model. You build a Zap with a trigger (e.g., a new row in Google Sheets) and one or more actions (e.g., create a contact in Mailchimp). Each time the trigger fires, the Zap runs through its steps, and each step counts as one task. Zapier now supports multi-step Zaps, filters, paths, and webhooks, but the interface hides most of the logic behind forms.

Make, founded in 2016 as Integromat and rebranded in 2022, takes a visual approach. You build a scenario on a canvas, dragging modules (apps) and connecting them with lines. Data flows through the scenario, and you can add routers, iterators, aggregators, and data stores to handle complex logic. Make counts every module execution as one operation—so a scenario with five modules that runs once consumes five operations.

How Workflow Runs Are Counted

Zapier’s task count is straightforward: one task per step in a Zap, per run. A two-step Zap that runs 100 times uses 200 tasks. If a filter stops the Zap before the action, that run still counts as one task because the trigger and filter executed. Re-runs after an error also count as new tasks. Zapier’s free plan gives 100 tasks per month; paid plans start at 750 tasks (about $19.99/month billed annually) and scale up to 100,000+ tasks on enterprise plans.

Make’s operation count is per module execution. A scenario with a trigger and two actions that runs 100 times uses 300 operations. However, Make’s free plan gives 1,000 operations per month—roughly 10x Zapier’s free allowance. Paid plans start at 10,000 operations (about $9/month billed annually), which is significantly cheaper per unit. Make also offers an “unlimited operations” plan for about $16/month, but it caps the number of active scenarios and data transfer.

Plan Structures and Limits

Zapier’s plans are tiered by task volume, with additional limits on the number of active Zaps, premium apps, and features like custom logic (paths, formatting) or version history. The free plan includes 5 active Zaps and 100 tasks, but only two-step Zaps and no webhooks. Paid plans unlock multi-step Zaps, filters, and premium apps (e.g., Salesforce, Shopify) at higher tiers. Zapier also restricts “premium apps” to paid plans—you cannot use them on the free tier.

Make’s plans are tiered by operations, with separate caps on active scenarios, data transfer (MB per month), and execution time (minutes per scenario). The free plan allows 2 active scenarios and 1,000 operations, with a 10-minute execution limit per scenario. Paid plans start at 10,000 operations and scale to 100,000+, with higher data transfer and longer execution times. Make does not restrict apps by plan—all apps are available on every tier, including the free plan.

Access and Ease of Use

Zapier is the easier platform for beginners. Its interface is form-based: you click through dropdowns, map fields manually, and see a linear list of steps. There is no visual canvas; you read the flow top-to-bottom. Zapier also offers a Chrome extension and mobile apps for creating Zaps on the go. The learning curve is shallow, and most users can build a basic two-step Zap in under 10 minutes without reading documentation.

Make has a steeper learning curve because of its visual editor. You drag modules onto a canvas, connect them with lines, and configure each module’s settings. The canvas shows data flowing in real time, which makes complex logic easier to design, but it can overwhelm new users. Make provides templates and a “Scenario Builder” that runs step-by-step, but you must understand concepts like routers (conditional branching), iterators (looping over arrays), and aggregators (combining data) to use them effectively.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A frequent misconception is that Zapier’s task count equals the number of times a Zap runs. In reality, a multi-step Zap burns multiple tasks per run. Users often hit their task limit faster than expected because they forget that every action step counts. For example, a Zap that sends a Slack message and then updates a CRM uses 2 tasks per run, so 500 runs consume 1,000 tasks.

Make users often misunderstand the “operation” count when a scenario has loops. If you use an iterator to process 50 items, each item processed by a module counts as an operation. A scenario that runs once but processes 50 rows in a spreadsheet may consume 50+ operations. Make’s dashboard shows a breakdown per scenario, but new users are surprised by how quickly operations add up.

Another common issue is error handling. Zapier retries failed tasks automatically for a limited time, but each retry counts as a new task. Make also retries, but you can configure the number of retries and the delay. Both platforms send email notifications on failures, but Make gives you more granular control over error handling within the scenario itself.

Cost Comparison for Real Use Cases

For a small business with 5,000 tasks per month, Zapier’s Professional plan ($49.99/month) covers it, while Make’s 10,000-operation plan ($9/month) is cheaper and gives you headroom. For a power user with 50,000 tasks, Zapier’s Company plan ($99.99/month) costs more than Make’s 100,000-operation plan ($59/month). However, Zapier’s higher tiers include priority support and advanced admin features that Make lacks on lower plans.

Make’s unlimited operations plan ($16/month) seems like a bargain, but it limits you to 5,000 active scenarios and 10 GB data transfer, which may be restrictive for large teams. Zapier’s free plan is more limited than Make’s, but Zapier’s paid plans include features like custom branding and SAML SSO (on enterprise) that Make reserves for its highest tier.

How to Choose Between Them

Choose Zapier if you need a quick, simple integration without coding and you value a vast library of pre-built apps (over 7,000) and a large community of templates. Zapier is also better if you need to hand off workflows to non-technical team members, because the interface is self-explanatory.

Choose Make if you want to build complex, multi-branch automations with data transformations, and you are comfortable with a visual canvas. Make is also the better choice if you are on a tight budget or need to process large volumes of data, because its operation-based pricing is more granular and often cheaper. However, be prepared to spend time learning the editor and troubleshooting scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both Make and Zapier together?

Yes, you can use both in the same workflow. For example, you might use Zapier to capture a new lead from a form and then trigger a Make scenario that performs complex data processing before sending the result to a CRM. Each platform handles its own tasks/operations, and you pay for both.

Does Make have a free plan?

Yes, Make’s free plan gives you 1,000 operations per month, 2 active scenarios, and 100 MB of data transfer. It is more generous than Zapier’s free plan (100 tasks, 5 active Zaps, but limited to two-step Zaps).

What happens if I exceed my task/operation limit?

On Zapier, your Zaps stop running until the next billing cycle or until you upgrade. On Make, scenarios also pause, but you can set up notifications to warn you at 50%, 80%, and 100% usage. Both platforms allow you to buy extra tasks/operations on demand.

Which platform is better for webhooks?

Make is more powerful for webhooks because it supports custom webhook modules with advanced authentication and data mapping. Zapier also supports webhooks, but only on paid plans, and the configuration is less flexible.

Can I migrate my Zaps to Make?

There is no automatic migration tool. You must rebuild each workflow manually in Make, which can be time-consuming for complex scenarios. However, Make’s visual editor makes it easier to recreate logic that was buried in Zapier’s forms.

Do both platforms support scheduled runs?

Yes, both allow you to schedule workflows at intervals (e.g., every hour, daily). Zapier calls it a “Schedule” trigger; Make has a “Scheduler” module. Both count these runs as tasks/operations.

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