Zapier vs Make (2026): Easiest Setup or More Automation per Dollar?

Disclosure: LabFin is reader-supported. If you sign up for a tool through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions vary between providers and our ratings do not — here’s our full disclosure.

Zapier vs Make compares two automation platforms. Zapier connects thousands of apps through Zaps, with Copilot to draft them and agents for multi-step jobs. By contrast, Make chains modules on a visual canvas and builds scenarios with its Maia assistant.

Our reviews, for example, score Zapier 3.4 and Make 3.5. So the choice depends on the job and how much you care about data terms.

Zapier vs Make: The Short Answer

Choose Make, first, on our scores: it scores 3.5 against 3.4 and fits visual control at a low cost per run.

Choose Zapier, however, if you want the quickest setup for non-technical teams; its entry paid plan is Professional $19.99 a month yearly.

Try Zapier →Try Make →
Compare plans before you pay

Head to Head

CriterionZapierMake
Best forThe quickest setup for non-technical teamsVisual control at a low cost per run
Works inCloud onlyCloud only
Free plan100 tasks a month1,000 credits a month
Entry paid planProfessional $19.99 a month yearlyCore about $9 to $12 a month yearly
BillingTasks per action stepCredits per module action
Training on your dataDe-identified; opt-out formNo (Maia system card)
Our score3.43.5
From our reviews of each tool, based on each company’s pages, trackers and policy analyses, July to October 2026.
Zapier and Make side by side on best use, free plan, price, billing, training and our scores

What Each Does

To begin with, Zapier connects thousands of apps through Zaps, with Copilot to draft them and agents for multi-step jobs. As a result, it suits you if you want the quickest setup for non-technical teams.

In contrast, Make chains modules on a visual canvas and builds scenarios with its Maia assistant. It suits you if you want visual control at a low cost per run.

Prices and Billing

Zapier starts with 100 tasks a month on two-step Zaps, and its entry paid plan is Professional $19.99 a month yearly. Make, meanwhile, starts with 1,000 credits a month and two active scenarios, with Core about $9 to $12 a month yearly as its entry paid plan.

Billing also works differently. Zapier uses tasks, one per action step.

Make, however, uses credits, one per module action. Our list of the best AI for productivity compares more options.

How Zapier and Make bill: plans, usage and what drives cost
See the Best AI for business →
Ranked by independent evidence

Data and Training

On training, for Zapier, its terms allow training on de-identified data unless you opt out by form. For Make, by contrast, its Maia system card says Make does not train the models on customer data.

Therefore, keep regulated data out of AI steps until terms are clear. Our guide to which AI tools train on your data compares more tools.

Reliability and Safety

Zapier holds credentials for every connected app, so a misconfigured agent can reach many accounts, one security assessment notes. Make’s loops use a credit per item per module, so costs can jump on large data sets.

Automations act on real accounts, so test with sample data, add approval steps for sensitive actions, and give connections the least access they need.

Our guide to reducing AI hallucinations also covers the checklist, and our list of the best AI for business ranks more tools.

Winners by Category

In short, Zapier wins for the quickest setup for non-technical teams. The other tool, by contrast, wins for visual control at a low cost per run.

Overall, in Zapier vs Make our scores favor Make, 3.5 against 3.4.

Which One to Choose

Therefore, take Zapier if you want the quickest setup for non-technical teams. Otherwise, the other tool may fit better.

Our pages on the cheapest useful AI tools and reducing AI subscription costs, in addition, cover other options.

Whichever you pick, our guides to building a personal AI workflow and combining AI tools also help.

Other pairings are covered in our Make vs n8n and Zapier vs n8n comparisons.

Who should choose Zapier and who should choose Make

How We Research

This Zapier vs Make comparison reuses the sources behind our reviews of each tool, read between July and October 4, 2026, including Make’s Maia system card.

However, we run no tests of our own. Our about page explains the criteria, and our list of the best AI tools for developers covers more tools.

Zapier vs Make FAQ

Is Zapier or Make better?

Our scores favor Make, 3.5 against 3.4.

Which is cheaper?

Entry paid plans are Professional $19.99 a month yearly and Core about $9 to $12 a month yearly, in that order.

Which trains on my data?

For Zapier, its terms allow training on de-identified data unless you opt out by form. For Make, its Maia system card says Make does not train the models on customer data.

Can I self-host it?

No; both run as cloud services.

Can I use both?

Yes; some teams run simple jobs in one and heavy workflows in the other.

The Verdict

Overall, Zapier vs Make favors Make on our scores. The other, however, still wins for its own kind of job.

So pick by the job, check the output, and also keep sensitive material out of lower plans.

Get Zapier →Get Make →
Check the output before relying on it
Scroll to Top