A founder-friendly guide to choosing the right automation platform
If you’ve ever tried to automate part of your business, you’ve probably heard of Zapier and Make (formerly Integromat).
They’re both powerful no-code tools that let you connect apps and automate tasks — but they’re not the same.
And choosing the right one can save you hours of setup, hundreds in subscription fees, and a ton of headaches down the road.
Let’s break down how they compare, what each one does best, and how to pick the right tool for your systems.
1. What They Do (In Plain English)
Both Zapier and Make help you:
- Move data between tools automatically
- Eliminate manual copy-paste
- Trigger actions (like sending emails, creating tasks, or updating records)
Example: When someone fills out a form on your site, you can use these tools to:
- Send a Slack notification
- Add them to your CRM
- Send them a welcome email
- Create a new project folder
That’s automation at work. But how these two platforms handle that automation is where they differ.
2. Zapier: Best for Simplicity
Zapier is the Apple of automation tools — clean interface, beginner-friendly, and focused on ease of use.
Pros:
- Very easy to learn
- Huge library of supported apps
- Fast setup for simple automations (“Zaps”)
- Great for solo founders and light ops teams
Cons:
- Limited flexibility for complex logic
- Visual mapping is minimal
- Can get expensive at scale
- No “looping” or advanced data handling unless you pay more
Best for:
- Founders just getting started with automation
- Simple one-to-one workflows (e.g., form → email → CRM)
- Businesses using popular SaaS tools
3. Make: Best for Power + Flexibility
Make is like the Lego set of automation — more powerful, more customizable, but with a steeper learning curve.
Pros:
- Visual drag-and-drop builder
- Handles complex logic, conditions, and data structures
- Supports data looping, branching, and scenarios
- Lower cost per operation than Zapier
Cons:
- Not as intuitive for beginners
- Takes longer to build your first few scenarios
- Fewer pre-built templates
- Sometimes requires technical thinking
Best for:
- Agencies or teams managing multiple clients
- Businesses with layered workflows
- Founders ready to automate deeply across tools
4. So Which One Should
You
Choose?
Here’s a rule of thumb:
Start with Zapier if you want to:
- Automate fast without much setup
- Connect simple apps (e.g., Typeform to Mailchimp)
- Build a lightweight CRM or sales funnel
Use Make if you need to:
- Handle multiple steps and filters
- Automate fulfillment, onboarding, or reporting flows
- Pull data from multiple sources or tools
- Save money on high-volume automations
5. Can You Use Both?
Absolutely.
Some founders start with Zapier, then bring in Make for complex workflows — or vice versa.
You can even use them together:
- Zapier handles basic lead capture
- Make powers complex onboarding or backend logic
Don’t overthink it. Use what gets the job done without creating chaos.
???? Want Us to Build Your Automations?
At MakePlain, we build done-for-you automations inside both Zapier and Make — tailored to how your business runs.
We don’t just connect apps — we build smart workflows that:
- Capture more leads
- Eliminate manual steps
- Give you more time to focus on growth
Whether you’re brand new or ready to scale your automations, we’ll build the right system.
