Switching to workflow automation can save a lot more time, money and can even increase productivity. What would happen if you automated all your repetitive tasks?
The good news is that now you can get to automate your workflows through the automation platforms like Make (formerly Integromat) and Zapier. All the software and applications you use manually on your desktop can now connect with each other using the automation tools. The best part is that once connected, they no longer require manual intervention.
The most important question: “Zapier vs Make”, which one can serve you better and how?
Let's dig in!
A Brief Overview
Before we start comparing, it is essential to know that Make and Zapier provide the same automation services. Both platforms use different methods to achieve the same thing.
Both are workflow automation tools that allow you to connect applications and automate data flows between them. With these automation tools, you can connect several apps and manage repetitive tasks effortlessly. Once you finish connecting all the apps with these platforms, they will help to transform all the manual processes into automated.
Comparing : App Integrations
The App integrations seem an essential factor. It will be a complete waste of time if you get no default integrations in the automation tool. The app integration is the thing that makes the automation process smooth. Both platforms regularly integrate new applications, you’ll soon get all the desired apps you will need.
Currently, Make supports more than 1000 default app integrations, and the numbers are increasing at a rapid rate. However, if you wish to connect other business apps, you can connect them through API integration. This makes Make more customizable than Zapier. Although, connecting other apps require a bit of coding knowledge.
On the other hand, Zapier comes with more than 3000 default app integrations. That number of app makes the Zapier a lot more beneficial for sure. You can use templates to amalgamate between different apps and make of the repetitive tasks automated.
Currently in terms of integration, Zapier has a considerable advantage over Make.
However, this won't be a big problem for Make users. You can connect any app using APIs if you have a basic understanding of coding languages and web services. Moreover, the addition of new applications, always more frequent on Make, will reduce this gap.
How to Check the Available Integrations?
If you're using Make:
First, go to the Integrations page.
After reaching the integrations page, you'll find a search option for "Apps and services.”
Type the app names to know whether they are already integrated with Make or not.
The apps are placed alphabetically. So, checking with the first letter alphabet can help you find your apps.
Apart from that, if you wish to know about all the apps of your tools. You can check for the segmented elements on the right side of the screen. You can get a dropdown menu to select your desired components to narrow down the search process.
If you're using Zapier:
First, go to the apps page.
There you'll get a search box to search by app names.
Type the app names you wish to look for and hit enter. Upon hitting the enter button, you'll get the results.
Additionally, to make the search process smooth, Zapier has a "sorting" option, and you can even search categorically by selecting a specific category of your choice. By selecting one of them, you will have all the applications related to the category.
However, the integrations are crafted differently for both platforms. Sometimes, "Triggers" work differently for the two separate platforms. For example, Zapier triggers only the "new record" in Airtable.
On the contrary, Make triggers each new change, even when the rows get updated. This is something that isn't possible if you're using Zapier.
Comparing Key Features
There are plenty of features one can get for using both the workflow automation platforms. We will focus on the essential features to better separate them.
Processing of Historical Data
If you're creating a workflow through Make, it allows you to process all the data from a specific date. The modules start processing data once opted for the same and provide instant results. However, it isn't possible in Zapier unless you're using a specific process like “workarounds”.
In-Build Apps
Zapier has plenty of in-built apps that helps immensely to create the workflow. You would be surprised to know that Make replicated most of the in-built tools of Zapier in entirely different ways.
However, in terms of built-in apps, still, Make is running ahead of Zapier. For instances:
- Make can iterate over tabular data and can help to exchange data between multiple applications and software.
- You can make customized API calls to the apps you're using through this platform. That means you're fully authenticated to make personalized API calls without interruptions.
- It can do the error handling in a better way through individual modules. Modules are beneficial in such scenarios. It can decide the action if any error is detected.
Well, the above features aren't available in Zapier. Although, without programming knowledge, these are the things that can't be performed in Make. But, if you know to program, Make can bring you more technical possibilities.
Usability
As you already know, Make is more powerful with advanced features, so it is apparent that it is more complicated to use than Zapier. You can create a workflow in Zapier very easily. Making the same thing can be a little complex in Make.
Testing
The process is critical if you wish to test the steps you created in Zapier while making a workflow. You can't check all the steps seamlessly. Instead, you have to check each step individually while testing.
For Make, it is straightforward. You can just run the recently created workflow, and it will enable you to watch the whole process in real-time. In make, the testing is therefore less detailed than Zapier.
Comparing Costs: Is Make Cheaper than Zapier?
The price depends on your needs. Make and Zapier understand this and format their prices by need.
Let's start with Make, Make offers a free plan based on 1,000 operation per month. The free version is ideal to start testing automations.
It then offers several plans that let you choose the number of operations you want. For example, if your need is for a team of professionals who continuously create automations, we advise you to take the Team plan and select more than 40 000 operations per month. The price of the team plan with 40 000 is $99/month. If on the other hand you are a young entrepreneur and starting your startup, it is better to opt for the Core plan at $9/month with 10,000 operations.
Make offers a specialized package for each of its clients' needs.
On the contrary, Zapier is more expensive than Make. Zapier also has a free plan for its customers. However, it comes with restrictions. Zapier only offers 100 zaps (= operations) in its free plan, which is 10 times less than Make.
In addition to the free version, Zapier has four other different plans to offer its users. The basic premium plan starts at $19.99/month if billed annually. If you opt for the same plan every month, the price will be $29.99/month. The premium version only includes 100,000 zaps and costs $599/month (if billed monthly). So it's obvious that in terms of price, opting for Make will save you a considerable amount of money.
So, it is evident that in terms of pricing, Opting for Make will save you a hefty amount for sure.
What is the Difference between Zapier and Make?
Well, in short, you can do a lot more complex tasks with Make, but it is a bit complicated to use. For complex tasks, one needs to have basic knowledge of programming.
On the other hand, Zapier comes with many default apps, so you're more likely to get all the apps you're using. Performing more technical tasks is complicated, as there are fewer advanced features.
An overview of these applications can only provide basic ideas. To understand which solution best meets your needs, you need to understand what makes these two applications different.
The Pros and Cons
It seems essential to consider the pros and cons when comparing two platforms. Below are the pros and cons of the automation tools.
Pros: Make
Possibilities
While using Make, you can avail several advanced features to automate complex processes. With the help of its modules, you can create more complex processes than Zapier.
Security
Security is one of the most critical factors for any business. Thanks to Make for making itself safer than the other competitors. As per the European Data Protection Regulation (RGPD), Make is data protection compliant. This security certificate is enough to mark this platform as fully data secured.
Functionalities
With Make's advanced features, you can use to increase your productivity. With Make, you will have access to features like rooters, array aggregators, iterators, etc. You have several modules to add to the scenario to get the most out of it. You have Boolean functions to work with text and numbers. In addition, you will have options to create advanced scenarios if needed.
Pros: Zapier
Supported Apps
Zapier supports a large number of applications. You will encounter few difficulties with the supported applications. Irrespective of the domains and sizes of the companies, Zapier can help you automate processes.
Getting started
If you're using Zapier, the best part is that you don't need to know how to program. This is a no-code automation platform. So, even you're a non-technical person, it isn't hard to get the job done single-handedly.
UX design
The UX design are far better in Zapier. However, entirely depends on tastes and choices.
Cons: Make
Complex Process
Well, the whole process of using Make is a bit difficult. If you are a non-technical person, you will be able to make automations that are not very complex. If you want to have a more complex process, using web developers is advised.
Cons: Zapier
API Connector
If you're using Zapier, One of the worst problems you can face is nothing but connecting APIs. Irrespective of plenty of integrated apps, it can be possible that you need to communicate with the api of an application that is not integrated. Here come the main difficulties as most of the functionalities are missing for connecting or getting full access to the APIs.
Security
Well, security is a significant factor if you're using Zapier. As per the European Data Protection Regulation, Zapier isn't data protection compliant. Zapier is secured only in accordance with U.S. regulation. So, this is indeed a security issue.
Zapier or Make: Which Is Better?
Well, this is a fact that finding out the best-suited option from the two workflow automation platforms isn't an easy task to perform. It depends on several factors. Overall, if you're just getting started, Zapier would help you conduct and manage all the tasks efficiently as it is more user-friendly. Make is a little hard to use.
On the other hand, Make works excellent for the complex process with more functionalities which isn't possible if you're using Zapier.
So, it would be best to try both of them to understand them from the core and then decide which one suits you the most.
The Verdict
Being an owner of a company, getting consistent business growth should be the ultimate motive. Especially amid coronavirus outbreaks, small businesses have seen the worst difficulties. So, it is indeed a wise decision to opt for workflow automation rather than working the same regular tasks manually. For start-ups and busy people, it makes sense to utilize their free time to increase productivity rather than waste time.
So, if you wish to get more app integrations and easy-to-use features, you can consider Zapier. However, for better pricing and more complex workflows, it would be wise to go for Make for sure!
