Make.com Review 2026: The Best Zapier Alternative?
Make.com (formerly Integromat) is the automation tool power users love. It’s more flexible than Zapier, significantly cheaper, and handles complex workflows better.
But is it right for you? Here’s my detailed review after using Make for 2+ years.
What is Make.com?
Make is a visual automation platform that connects apps and builds workflows called “scenarios.” Unlike Zapier’s linear approach, Make uses a visual flowchart builder where you can see exactly how data flows.
Example scenario: When a new order arrives in Shopify → Check inventory in your database → If in stock, create shipping label AND send confirmation email. If out of stock, send backorder notification AND create restock task.
This branching logic is where Make shines.
Key Features
Visual Scenario Builder
This is Make’s killer feature. You build automations visually, dragging and connecting modules. You can see your entire workflow at a glance, including branches and loops.
Operations-Based Pricing
Make counts “operations” (similar to Zapier’s tasks), but pricing is much more generous. The free plan includes 1,000 operations — 10x more than Zapier’s free tier.
Advanced Logic
Routers, iterators, aggregators, error handlers — Make has tools for complex scenarios that would require workarounds in Zapier.
Data Transformation
Built-in functions for transforming data are more powerful than Zapier’s. Parse JSON, manipulate arrays, complex date math — it’s all there.
Webhooks & HTTP
Create custom webhooks and make HTTP requests to any API. Essential for connecting tools without native integrations.
Pricing Breakdown
| Plan | Monthly Price | Operations | Scenarios | Data Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1,000 | 2 | 100 MB |
| Core | $9 | 10,000 | Unlimited | 1 GB |
| Pro | $16 | 10,000 | Unlimited | 10 GB |
| Teams | $29 | 10,000 | Unlimited | 70 GB |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Key difference: Make’s $9 plan gives you 10,000 operations. Zapier’s $20 plan gives you 750 tasks. Make is roughly 75% cheaper for equivalent usage.
What I Like
1. Visual Builder Once you learn it, the visual builder is far superior for complex workflows. Seeing the entire flow mapped out prevents errors and makes debugging easy.
2. Pricing This is Make’s biggest advantage. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars switching workflows from Zapier to Make. Same functionality, fraction of the cost.
3. Power & Flexibility Make can handle automation logic that’s impossible in simpler tools. Loops, conditional branches, error handling, data aggregation — it’s all native.
4. Instant Webhooks Triggers can be truly instant via webhooks, not the 2-15 minute polling delay of most Zapier triggers.
5. Execution History Every scenario run is logged with full detail. You can see exactly what data passed through each step, making debugging much easier.
What I Don’t Like
1. Learning Curve Make is not beginner-friendly. The visual interface is powerful but intimidating. Expect to spend a few hours learning before you’re productive.
2. Fewer Integrations ~1,500 apps vs Zapier’s 6,000+. Most popular tools are covered, but niche apps may be missing. You can often work around this with HTTP modules.
3. Interface Can Be Slow The visual builder can lag with complex scenarios. This is frustrating when editing large workflows.
4. Mobile Experience The mobile app is limited. You can monitor scenarios but building or editing is desktop-only.
Who Make.com is Best For
Great fit:
- Users comfortable with technology
- High-volume automation needs
- Complex workflows with branching logic
- Budget-conscious businesses
- Developers or technical teams
Not ideal:
- Complete automation beginners
- Teams that need the simplest possible tool
- Users who need a specific app that Make doesn’t support
Real Example: E-commerce Order Processing
Here’s a scenario I built in Make:
- Trigger: New Shopify order
- Router: Split by product type
- Physical products → Create shipping label, update inventory
- Digital products → Grant access, send download link
- For each item: Check if customer is returning → Apply loyalty discount
- Always: Update CRM, send confirmation email
This runs for every order, costs me ~$15/month, and would be significantly more expensive (and harder to build) in Zapier.
Make vs Zapier: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Make.com | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ~75% cheaper | More expensive |
| Ease of Use | Harder | Easier |
| Visual Builder | Yes (better) | Limited |
| Integrations | 1,500+ | 6,000+ |
| Complex Logic | Excellent | Good |
| Speed | Instant webhooks | 2-15 min polling |
| Free Plan | 1,000 ops | 100 tasks |
Verdict: Is Make.com Worth It?
Yes, if:
- You’re comfortable learning a new tool
- You run high-volume automations and want to save money
- Your workflows have complex logic (branches, loops, conditions)
- You want instant triggers via webhooks
No, if:
- You’re a complete beginner wanting the easiest option
- You need a specific integration only Zapier has
- Your automations are simple and low-volume
For anyone doing serious automation work, Make offers better value than Zapier. The learning curve is worth it.
FAQ
Is Make.com free? Yes, with 1,000 operations/month and 2 active scenarios. More generous than most competitors.
Is Make.com the same as Integromat? Yes, Integromat rebranded to Make.com in 2022. Same product, new name.
Can I migrate from Zapier to Make? Yes, but you’ll need to rebuild your workflows. There’s no automatic migration tool.
Which is better, Make or Zapier? Depends on your needs. Make is better for complex, high-volume automation. Zapier is better for beginners and rare integrations.
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