Make vs Zapier for a small business.
Both run in the cloud and connect apps without code. They differ on the billing unit and on what the free plan allows.
Where it runs
Make. On Make’s cloud. You do not install it on your own server.
Zapier. On Zapier’s cloud.
What you pay for
Make. Credits. Most modules use 1 credit. Router and error-handler modules (Rollback, Break, Resume, Commit, Ignore) use none. Some AI features that use Make’s AI Provider may use more than 1.
Zapier. Tasks. A task is a successful action step. Triggers, polling, built-in tools (Filter, Paths, Formatter, Delay, Looping) and failed actions do not count.
Free plan
Make. 1,000 credits per month, per Make’s pricing page.
Zapier. 100 tasks per month, two-step Zaps only, 15-minute polling, 1 seat.
Paid plans
Make. Core, Pro and Teams, plus Enterprise and a Start-up Plan for teams under 20 employees. Current prices are on make.com/pricing and they change.
Zapier. Professional from $19.99/mo billed annually ($29.99 monthly) for 750 tasks. Team from $69/mo billed annually ($103.50 monthly) for 2,000 tasks, with up to 25 users and SAML SSO.
When you run out
Make. Scenarios pause until credits are added. Credits expire at the end of the term.
Zapier. Paid plans can use pay-per-task. If that toggle is off, usage pauses.
Number of apps
Make. Make says it offers integrations with more than 1,000 apps.
Zapier. Zapier says it connects 9,000+ apps.
How to choose
Pick Make if you want to see the whole scenario on one screen and build multi-step flows on the free plan.
Pick Zapier if an app you rely on is only in its directory, or two-step Zaps are enough for you.
Run the numbers on your real workflow: a Make module and a Zapier task are not counted the same way.
Official pages
Questions
- What counts as usage in Make?
- Credits. Most modules use 1. Router and error-handler modules use none.
- What counts as a task in Zapier?
- Each successful action step. Triggers, filters, Formatter and failed actions do not count.
- Is there a free Zapier Professional trial?
- Yes. Zapier offers a 14-day Professional trial with no credit card.
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