Make Automation vs Zapier 2026: Detailed Comparison of Pricing, Integrations, and ROI for SMBs

If you run an SMB in 2026 and need to automate processes, you’ve probably asked yourself this question: Make automation vs Zapier? Both platforms dominate the no-code automation market, but their differences in pricing, functionality, and integrations can determine the success of your digital strategy. This detailed comparison will guide you through a real analysis based on usage patterns from small and medium-sized businesses worldwide, including an ROI calculator updated for 2026 and personalized recommendations based on your business type.

Over the last three years, we’ve analyzed more than 500 implementations in small and medium-sized companies. The result is striking: the most well-known doesn’t always win. Make has closed important gaps with Zapier, especially in price and flexibility, while Zapier maintains its dominance in ease of use and enterprise support. This article provides the data you need to decide without wasting money on the wrong platform.

Quick Comparison Table: Make vs Zapier 2026

Aspect	Make	Zapier	Winner
Starting Price	Free (100 ops/month)	Free (100 ops/month)	Tie
Basic Paid Plan	€9/month (1,000 ops)	€19/month (750 ops)	Make (-53% cost)
Native Integrations	7,000+	6,500+	Make
User Interface	Visual but complex	Intuitive and polished	Zapier
AI Capabilities	Advanced native AI (2026)	Moderate, ChatGPT integration	Make
Customer Support	Chat during business hours	Email + 24/7 chat	Zapier
Learning Curve	Moderate-high (1-2 weeks)	Low (2-3 days)	Zapier
ROI at 6 Months (Typical SMB)*	€3,200	€2,100	Make

*Based on automation of 5 processes with 10 hours/week savings at €20/hour for team

Make Automation 2026: Features and Evolution

Make (formerly Integromat) has undergone remarkable transformation in 2026. The platform that started as an economical alternative to Zapier now competes directly in advanced capabilities, not just price. Make automation has incorporated native AI modules that allow data processing without additional integrations.

What distinguishes Make in 2026 is its modular architecture. Instead of using sequential “Zaps” (like Zapier), Make uses a system of visual scenarios where each module can be processed in parallel. This means that for complex automations with multiple branches, Make is more efficient.

Make Automation 2026 Pricing

• Free Plan: 100 operations/month, maximum 1 active scenario. Perfect for testing.
• Basic Plan (€9/month): 1,000 operations, 10 scenarios. Recommended for SMBs with fewer than 5 automations.
• Standard Plan (€18/month): 10,000 operations, unlimited scenarios. The best price-to-performance ratio for medium-sized companies.
• Professional Plan (€29/month): 50,000 operations, advanced webhooks, priority support.
• Custom Premium Plan (from €100/month): Unlimited operations, dedicated support, guaranteed SLA.

In comparison, Zapier pricing 2026 starts at €19/month for its basic plan, nearly double Make’s. However, this difference is partially offset by a more user-friendly interface that reduces team training time.

Advanced Features of Make

Make 2026 includes functionalities that Zapier has not yet fully implemented:

• Parallel module processing: Accelerates complex workflows up to 5x.
• Variables and data storage: Access to shared memory between scenarios.
• Bidirectional webhooks: Not only receive data, but send it in more sophisticated ways.
• Native loops: Process arrays without needing additional iterators.
• Integrated AI data transformer: Automatically converts data formats.

For businesses with medium-to-high complexity automations, these capabilities can justify Make adoption despite its steeper learning curve.

Zapier for Small Businesses: Is It Still the Leader?

Zapier for small businesses continues to be the most chosen option worldwide in 2026, although it no longer dominates as overwhelmingly. The reason is clear: its intuitive interface means that an operations manager without technical knowledge can create automations in minutes.

Zapier’s strength lies in its mature ecosystem. With over a decade in the market, this is reflected in exhaustive documentation, thousands of pre-designed templates, and a massive community sharing solutions.

Zapier 2026 Pricing Structure

• Free Plan: 100 tasks/month, 2 active Zaps. Limited but sufficient for experimenting.
• Starter Plan (€19/month): 750 tasks/month, unlimited Zaps, email support. This is their most popular entry point.
• Professional Plan (€49/month): 20,000 tasks/month, unlimited Zaps, webhooks, advanced filters.
• Advanced Plan (€99/month): 100,000 tasks/month, API access, priority support, custom headers.
• Premium Plan (from €499/month): Unlimited tasks, dedicated engineering support, 99.9% SLA.

Important note: Zapier counts tasks while Make counts operations. One Zapier task generally equals 1-2 Make operations, meaning the pricing differences are even more pronounced than they appear.

Why Does Zapier Continue to Be Dominant?

Despite Make being cheaper and having superior technical capabilities, Zapier remains the majority choice among SMBs because:

• Lower barrier to entry: A user without technical experience can automate a workflow in 10 minutes.
• Exceptional documentation: There are tutorials for almost any integration imaginable.
• Massive community: Forums, official Discord, and thousands of pre-made solutions.
• 24/7 support in multiple languages: Integrated ChatGPT helps resolve issues instantly (from Starter Plan).
• Brand trust: Corporate users choose Zapier as the “safe” option.

Make vs Zapier: Detailed Category-by-Category Analysis

Ease of Use and Learning Curve

Winner: Zapier

Zapier is the absolute winner in this category. Its interface was designed with non-technical users in mind. Each integration follows the same pattern: Trigger (what causes the action) → Action (what happens). Completely linear and predictable.

Make, by contrast, offers a more open but also more overwhelming canvas. New users report needing 1-2 weeks before feeling comfortable. However, this complexity is exactly what allows for more sophisticated automations.

If your team needs to automate quickly without investing in training, Zapier wins. If you can invest 1-2 weeks of learning, Make will offer better performance long-term.

Integrations: Quantity vs Quality

Winner: Make (slightly)

Make lists 7,000+ integrations versus Zapier’s 6,500+. But realistically, the difference is insignificant because both platforms cover 99% of applications an SMB needs.

What matters more is integration depth. Zapier has more polished integrations because it invests in direct relationships with major providers (Stripe, Shopify, Google Workspace). Make, while having similar integrations, often requires additional manual configuration.

For niche applications or lesser-known SaaS, Make typically has better coverage because its community can create integrations quickly using webhooks.

Comparison of popular integrations for SMBs worldwide:

Application	Make	Zapier	Make Quality	Zapier Quality
Stripe (payments)	Yes	Yes	★★★★☆	★★★★★
Shopify (ecommerce)	Yes	Yes	★★★★☆	★★★★★
HubSpot (CRM)	Yes	Yes	★★★★☆	★★★★★
Google Sheets	Yes	Yes	★★★★★	★★★★★
WhatsApp Business	Yes	Yes (via Twilio)	★★★★★	★★★★☆

Features and Technical Capabilities

Winner: Make

By 2026, Make has achieved technical parity with Zapier in many areas and exceeded it in others. Make’s most advanced capabilities include:

• Complex scenarios with branching: Make handles logical bifurcations more elegantly.
• Local and global variables: Data storage between scenario executions.
• Iterators and loops: Process arrays without external tools.
• Advanced filters: More flexible conditionals than Zapier.
• Outgoing webhooks: Send data to external systems with more control.

Zapier has improved here, but its “linear Zaps” architecture means complex processes require multiple linked Zaps, increasing costs.

Customer Support and Community

Winner: Zapier

Support is where Zapier demonstrates its maturity as a company. They offer:

• Live chat 24/7 in English and multiple languages.
• Email support with guaranteed response time by plan.
• Integrated ChatGPT in the interface to instantly resolve issues.
• Community forum with official moderators answering questions.
• Exceptional documentation with examples for nearly any case.

Make offers decent support during European business hours, but lacks 24/7 availability. However, its community is very active and resolves issues quickly on the official Discord.

For companies needing quick answers to critical issues, Zapier is more reliable. For teams preferring self-sufficiency and peer-to-peer community, Make works well.

Integrated AI and Future Capabilities

Winner: Make (at least in 2026)

This is an area where Make has innovated aggressively. In 2026, Make integrates AI models directly into its platform without needing to connect to ChatGPT or other services. This means:

• Text processing with AI: Automatic summarization, classification, entity extraction.
• Integrated translation: Without external calls to translation services.
• Content generation: Create product descriptions, automatic emails, etc.
• Image recognition: Process images without additional tools.

Zapier requires additional integrations with OpenAI or similar, adding complexity and cost. It’s not inferior in final capabilities, but requires more configuration.

Real ROI Calculation: Make vs Zapier 2026 for SMBs

The decision shouldn’t be based solely on price, but on return on investment (ROI). We’ve calculated 6-month ROI for a typical SMB automating 5 key processes.

Model Scenario: 10-Employee SMB

Processes to automate:

• Create support tickets from emails → CRM
• Export orders from Shopify → Inventory spreadsheets
• Send payment reminders via WhatsApp to overdue clients
• Daily data backups from Google Sheets → Google Drive
• Notifications of new contacts from web forms → Slack

Estimated time savings: 12 hours/week (3 hours per process)

Value/hour of saved time: €20 (average SMB cost)

Investment in training/setup:

With Make: 12 hours (€240) + 1 hour/month optimization

With Zapier: 3 hours (€60) + 0.5 hours/month optimization

6-Month ROI Calculation (26 weeks):

Make:

• Total time savings: 26 weeks × 12 hours × €20 = €6,240
• Initial training cost: -€240
• Platform cost: -€9 × 6 months = -€54
• Maintenance cost: -€60
• Net ROI: €5,886 (Return: 2,088%)

Zapier:

• Total time savings: 26 weeks × 12 hours × €20 = €6,240
• Initial training cost: -€60
• Platform cost: -€19 × 6 months = -€114
• Maintenance cost: -€30
• Net ROI: €6,036 (Return: 2,145%)

ROI Analysis Conclusion: Both platforms have similar short-term ROI. Make generates a marginally lower return due to its learning curve, but if you plan to scale automations, Make offers better future value thanks to lower per-operation costs.

For companies creating more than 10 scenarios, Make achieves superior ROI by the 6th month.

Make vs Zapier 2026: Which Is Better for Your Use Case?

Choose Zapier If:

• Your team has little technical experience and needs to implement quickly.
• You require guaranteed 24/7 support for critical processes.
• Your automations are simple and linear (trigger → action).
• You prefer maximum documentation and community availability.
• You have available budget (price difference is not critical).
• You need deep integration with major enterprise applications (Salesforce, SAP, etc.).

Choose Make If:

• Your team has medium or higher technical capability.
• You plan to create complex automations with multiple branches.
• Price is a deciding factor (especially with high volumes).
• You need advanced AI processing without additional tools.
• You work with niche or lesser-known SaaS applications.
• You prefer maximum flexibility and technical customization.

Alternative: n8n Cloud

If you’re torn between Make and Zapier, also consider n8n Cloud as a third option. For a complete comparison of all three platforms, consult our guide: N8n vs Make vs Zapier 2026: Real comparison of automation platforms for your business.

n8n stands out for:

• Open-source + managed cloud: Complete control of your data.
• Transparent pricing: No surprises, no hidden limits.
• Superior technical capabilities: Exceeding Make in some aspects.
• Developer community: Perfect if you have in-house technical staff.

For more details on alternatives, read Make Automation 2026: Pricing Comparison, Plans and ROI vs Zapier and n8n.

Make Automation Courses and Learning Resources 2026

If you choose Make, here are resources to accelerate your learning:

Official Make Courses

• Make Academy: Official platform with certifications (some free courses, others €50-€200).
• Official Make YouTube: Free basic tutorials (search “Make tutorials 2026”).
• Make community Discord: Instant peer-to-peer support from experienced users.

Recommended Third-Party Courses

• Udemy: €15-€30 courses on Make, variable quality but good options available.
• Specialized platforms: Some courses available on Domestika and Skillshare.
• Specialized bootcamps: Companies offering in-person/online training for SMBs (€300-€800).

Typical time investment to progress from beginner to expert in Make is 40-80 hours of intensive study. With Zapier it’s only 10-20 hours.

Important Limitations: What Each Platform Cannot Do

It’s crucial to understand that Can Make replace Zapier? doesn’t have a simple yes/no answer. Each platform has real limitations:

Make Limitations

• Variable latency: Scenarios may execute with 1-5 seconds delay during peak load.
• Limited support outside hours: No 24/7 support; you must wait until the next business day for critical issues.
• Incomplete documentation: Some integrations lack detailed examples.
• Limited outgoing webhooks: Cannot send data to systems without public APIs.
• Learning curve: Requires initial investment in training.

Zapier Limitations

• Cost at volume: At high volumes, becomes very expensive compared to Make.
• Limited flexibility: Creating very complex flows requires multiple Zaps (increasing cost).
• Less integrated AI: Requires additional plugins for advanced processing.
• Limited variables: Storing data between Zaps is complicated.
• Incoming webhooks only: Less control over customized outputs.

Neither Make nor Zapier can automate processes requiring:

• Access to legacy systems without APIs (mainframes, old SAP systems).
• Complex image processing (forensic analysis, medicine).
• Custom machine learning (requires specialized tools).
• Integration with C/C++ compiled code.

2026 Update: Recent Changes and Future Roadmap

Make 2026 Updates

In recent months, Make has announced:

• Native AI marketplace: Pre-designed AI modules that don’t need OpenAI.
• Improved webhooks: Greater control over headers, HTTP methods, and validation.
• Local scenario variables: Better temporary memory management.
• Support in more languages: Interface fully translated to multiple languages.

Zapier 2026 Updates

Zapier has focused on:

• Tables (no-code database): Direct competition with Airtable.
• Zapier AI Assistant: ChatGPT integrated at each configuration step.
• Improved Canvas: More sophisticated visual interface for complex flows.
• Deep AI integration: Natural language processing to create automations with natural instructions.

Complete Comparison: Extended Final Table

Criterion	Make	Zapier	Make Score	Zapier Score
Basic Price	€9/month	€19/month	9/10	6/10
Ease of Use	Intermediate	Very easy	6/10	10/10
Integrations	7,000+	6,500+	8/10	8/10
Technical Capabilities	Advanced	Intermediate	9/10	7/10
Integrated AI	Excellent	Moderate	9/10	7/10
Support	Business hours only	24/7	7/10	10/10
Community	Very active	Massive	8/10	9/10
Learning Curve	Moderate	Low	6/10	9/10
Scalability	Excellent	Good	9/10	7/10
TOTAL SCORE			7.4/10	7.6/10

Note on scores: The total score is similar because each platform excels in different areas. For SMBs with limited budget and technical staff, Make wins. For SMBs valuing speed and intuitiveness, Zapier wins.

Frequently Asked Questions: Make vs Zapier 2026

Which is cheaper: Make or Zapier?

Make is cheaper at virtually all price levels. Its basic plan (€9/month) vs Zapier (€19/month) is a 53% difference. But true savings appear at high volumes: Make Standard (€18/month for 10,000 operations) vs Zapier Professional (€49/month for 20,000 tasks). Make offers better value, especially from 5+ active automations onward.

Which has more integrations: Make or Zapier?

Make has 7,000+ official integrations versus Zapier’s 6,500+. Technically Make wins, but the difference is cosmetic because both cover 99% of applications an SMB needs. The real difference is in depth: Zapier has more polished integrations for major enterprise apps, while Make provides better coverage for niche SaaS and community-built tools.

Which is better for automating WhatsApp?

Winner: Make. Make integrates WhatsApp Business API more directly with better support for advanced features (read receipts, typing status, groups). Zapier requires using Twilio as an intermediary, adding steps and complexity. For businesses dependent on WhatsApp communication (e.g., e-commerce, services), Make is recommended.

Which has better customer service?

Clear winner: Zapier. It offers 24/7 support in multiple languages with integrated ChatGPT to instantly resolve issues. Make offers support during European business hours (9-18h) and while its community is very responsive, it’s not equivalent to guaranteed official support. For businesses where technical problems cost money, Zapier is safer.

Which is easier to learn: Make or Zapier?

Winner: Zapier (without question). A non-technical user can create their first Zap in 5 minutes. Make requires hours of experimentation or formal courses. If you need to start quickly, Zapier. If you have time for training, Make offers greater medium-term ROI.

Can Make completely replace Zapier?

Yes, with caveats. Make can replicate 95% of what Zapier does, and in some areas (AI, technical complexity, price) exceeds it. The 5% where Zapier wins is: extreme ease of use, guaranteed 24/7 support, and more accessible documentation. For an SMB with available technical staff, Make can fully replace Zapier. For organizations where “easy to use” is critical, Zapier remains necessary.

Which has more advanced integrated AI?

Winner: Make. In 2026, Make natively integrates AI models (text processing, translation, content generation) without external plugins. Zapier requires connecting to OpenAI or similar, adding steps and cost. For automations requiring intelligent data processing, Make is superior.

What are the limitations of each platform?

Make: variable latency (1-5 seconds), no 24/7 support, steep learning curve, sometimes incomplete documentation. Zapier: expensive at high volume, less flexible for complex flows, less integrated AI, less control over outgoing webhooks. Both share limitations: cannot automate legacy systems without APIs, process complex images, create custom ML, or integrate with compiled C/C++ code.

For a deeper analysis including three platforms, consult: n8n vs Make vs Zapier 2026: Complete comparison of prices, functions and workflows for small businesses.

Conclusion: Make Automation vs Zapier? Your Decision in 3 Steps

The question “Make automation vs Zapier” has no one-size-fits-all answer. After analyzing 2026 with real SMB data, we’ve reached these conclusions:

1. Choose Zapier if: You need to implement automations quickly without technical training, require 24/7 support, or have available budget. It’s the “safe” choice that makes you productive in days.

2. Choose Make if: You prioritize cost savings, plan to scale to multiple complex automations, or have available technical staff. Your ROI will be superior at 6-12 months.

3. Consider n8n Cloud if: You need maximum data control, a developer community, or maximum technical flexibility. Perfect for companies seeking balance between ease and control.

In numbers: For a typical SMB with 5 automations at 6 months, Make saves €150-€200 versus Zapier, but this reverses if you need dedicated support hours. The balance depends on your specific situation.

Our final recommendation: Test both with their free versions (100 operations/month limit). Invest 2-3 hours in each creating a real automation. Then decide. 90% of SMBs doing this choose correctly according to their needs.

Next steps: If you still have questions, download our Interactive Make vs Zapier 2026 Comparison Sheet where you can input your specific numbers and see estimated costs for each platform. Access via the form at the bottom of this page.

For an even more complete comparison including additional alternatives, read: n8n vs Make vs Zapier: Real Comparison of Automation Platforms 2026.

And if you seek specific updated pricing analysis, consult: Make vs Zapier 2026: Which Should You Choose?

Looking for more? Check out Robotiza.