Zapier is great for simple workflows. Power Automate is great inside Microsoft-heavy environments. Make.com wins when you need control: branching, transformations, multiple data sources, and reliable error handling — without writing code.
Make.com vs Zapier (the honest version)
- Best for: multi‑step scenarios, complex logic, data shaping
- Cost efficiency: often better when scenarios get complex
- Learning curve: higher than Zapier, but worth it if you need more than “basic zaps”
Make.com vs Power Automate
- Best for: business systems outside Microsoft 365 (or mixed stacks)
- UX: many users find Make faster for build + debug
- Governance: Power Automate can be better in strict enterprise environments
When Make is the wrong tool
- Your business is fully inside Microsoft and you already pay for Power Platform.
- You only need 1–2 basic “if this then that” automations.
- You need extremely strict on-prem integrations without exposed APIs.
What to build first in Make
- Lead capture + follow-up
- Appointment scheduling confirmation + reminders
- Invoice creation + payment follow-up
- Client onboarding checklist automation
If your goal is “less manual work” and “fewer dropped balls,” Make is usually the best balance of power and cost for small businesses.
Want this built for you?
Book a free 30-minute automation audit and we’ll map the highest-ROI workflow to automate first.