When starting and scaling an AI-driven business, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks facing you. As you tackle these challenges one by one, you'll likely discover the importance of automation in preventing burnout and saving time. With numerous automation tools available, selecting the right one can be a daunting task. In this article, we'll discuss the similarities and differences between Make and Zapier to help you confidently pick the solution that best suits your business's needs.
AI Acquisition provides a valuable tool that enables you to automate your workflows quickly and efficiently, allowing you to focus on growing your business. Our AI operating system streamlines operations by helping you identify your most pressing tasks and automate them until they run like clockwork.
Zapier is a no-code automation platform that connects a company’s various apps to streamline repetitive tasks.
In Zapier, each automation is referred to as a Zap. A Zap consists of two main components:
While Zapier allows for theoretically unlimited steps in a Zap, there are some limitations to keep in mind:
Using information retrieved from forms… Zapier can automatically enrich your CRM, such as Salesforce or HubSpot. All you need to do is create a Zap whose trigger is the submission of a form, such as Typeform.
Various actions can then be taken to make the contact in the CRM, create the company, fill in various qualification information, launch a search on Pappers to retrieve the company’s legal information, or send a Calendly appointment-setting link to the contact.
From an email request or complaint, Zapier can create a support ticket in Zendesk or Freshservice and automatically assign the ticket to an agent. All you need to do is create a Zap whose trigger is the receipt of an email to a dedicated address or one that respects selection criteria, such as keywords.
Zapier creates a ticket in Zendesk, then enriches it with the request information. Depending on the information, it assigns the ticket to a specific agent filtered by knowledge or availability.
From an email, Zapier can export a PDF file and save it in an online storage service, such as:
The main advantages of Zapier and Zaps: This workflow automation software is easy to use, thanks to its “consumer” ergonomics: integrations and API connections to the best software on the market.
New database creation and interface design functionalities are not integrated with automated workflows.
The main drawbacks of Zapier :
Make (formerly Integromat) is a powerful no-code automation platform for visualizing, building, and customizing complex workflows. In many ways, it is similar to Zapier. Both tools break automations into a trigger and a set of actions (that can be customized with filters and conditions) to create linear workflows. Make excels in its visual editor, which allows users to build scenarios with far more complexity and customization than Zapier.
The tool is especially appealing to power users and developers who seek more flexibility and capabilities than traditional automation tools can offer. Make lets users connect apps via APIs, providing support for many of the most popular web applications on the market.
The platform also has a robust community of developers, with templates and tutorials to help users get started.
Make is a no-code automation platform designed to streamline workflows and tasks across your favourite apps and tools. Like Zapier, Make structures each automation with a trigger followed by a series of actions, which can be enhanced using filters and conditions. These automations are called Scenarios.
Make supports linear workflows similar to Zapier. If you require multiple triggers, you’ll need to build separate scenarios for each. It connects with hundreds of popular web applications via API, making it a powerful integration tool.
While Make has a slightly steeper learning curve than Zapier, its visual interface becomes intuitive with use and offers much greater flexibility for complex automations.
Make excels in scenarios requiring complex logic and branching paths, something Zapier struggles with due to its linear structure. While both tools offer powerful no-code automation, Make is often the better choice for users needing more sophisticated control over their workflows.
Both Zapier and Make have unique strengths and weaknesses that can impact their performance for your business.
When it comes to ease of use, Zapier takes the lead. The platform is designed for beginners, featuring a straightforward interface that prioritizes user experience. Automations in Zapier are called Zaps, and they consist of a trigger and a few actions that run sequentially.
The step-by-step model makes it easy to visualize how each part of a Zap works. You can also create Zaps using templates and edit the workflows to suit your business needs.
Make has a visual approach to automation, utilizing a drag-and-drop interface. This makes it highly customizable and flexible. It may appear complicated at first, especially to beginners.
The platform does offer an extensive library of templates and scenarios to help users get started, but it doesn’t quite compare to Zapier’s user-friendly model.
Provide support for a more advanced account management system that caters to organizations with multiple users. The platform allows for unlimited users from the start, so teams can collaborate without worrying about hitting a cap. Make also has a two-level role system (organization and team roles) for granular control over user permissions.
Zapier allows multiple users only on the Team and Enterprise plans, and while it does have sharing options, they’re not as advanced as Make’s. For example, users can share Zaps and folders, but these basic features may not be enough for larger organizations.
Both Make and Zapier support a wide range of popular apps, but the depth of integration and customization options can vary. If your automation depends heavily on specific tools, it’s essential to understand how each platform handles them.
CRM platforms, such as HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive, play a central role in many business workflows.
Task and project management tools, such as Trello, Asana, and Monday.com, are frequently automated to enhance team productivity.
Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Stripe, and PayPal are often the backbone of online businesses.
Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Discord are key for keeping teams informed and connected.
Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive are often used in document-heavy workflows, from storing client files to managing reports.
Zapier employs a step-by-step automation model, making it easy to follow; however, this approach can be limiting when handling complex tasks. Users may need multiple Zaps to accomplish what could be done in a single Make scenario.
Make allows users to build branching workflows with multiple steps:
It supports iterators, which enable you to process multiple records simultaneously, making it more suitable for complex scenarios.
Zapier’s task-based pricing model means that each action in a workflow counts toward a monthly task limit. Businesses running thousands of tasks per month may find costs stacking up quickly.
Make’s operation-based pricing model allows for more efficiency, especially on higher-tiered plans. Since Make calculates costs differently, businesses with complex, high-volume workflows will find it more affordable.
Zapier works well for routine tasks but lacks the depth required for businesses managing large-scale workflows.
Make provides advanced features such as:
For businesses looking to scale automation workflows, Make is the better long-term choice.
Zapier relies heavily on pre-built app integrations. While this makes setup easier, it can be limiting when workflows need custom logic or data formatting.
Make offers have more control over how data is processed. It supports functions such as data parsing, iteration, and custom functions, providing users with more options when building highly tailored workflows.
Zapier supports custom scripting via the Code by Zapier action:
Make provides built-in functions for simple manipulations with strings, arrays, and dates. Several logical operators are also supported. These functions work as snippets and have a non-standard syntax.
Looking at the functions' purpose, most of them have JavaScript equivalents and should be familiar to advanced users.
Make and Zapier offer a variety of integrations with popular AI services. AI-powered tools to improve workflow automation are also available on both platforms.
Make offers a wide range of AI integrations, including:
These integrations enable users to perform tasks such as:
Make's AI Assistant helps users build scenarios by understanding natural language prompts and suggesting relevant modules.
Zapier has recently expanded the use of AI on its platform.
Beyond connecting third-party AI services, Zapier offers several native features:
Zapier Central (in preview) enables users to work with AI-powered bots that understand their business, while Canvas (in beta) allows users to visually map out processes and receive AI-recommended improvements.
Both Make and Zapier offer built-in data storage options, but they differ in their approach and flexibility.
Make offers a feature called "Data stores" that allows users to store and manage data within the platform. The data stores in Make are similar to simple databases that record and allow users to:
Users can create multiple data stores, each with its data structure, and allocate storage space from their total internal data storage capacity, which varies based on their plan.
Zapier also offers data storage via Zapier Tables, which allows users to store and manage data directly on the platform. Zapier Tables provides a user-friendly interface for:
While both platforms offer built-in data storage, Make's data stores provide more flexibility and control over data structure and storage allocation. Users should be aware of the challenges associated with updating the data structure in Make and always create backups before making significant changes.
Both platforms offer error handling and monitoring capabilities, but Make offers advanced options for customizing error handling scenarios, saving incomplete executions, and managing email notifications.
Make offers with robust error-handling features, such as setting up error handlers to deal with errors or unexpected events in your scenario.
Users can choose from five error handlers:
Make also allows incomplete executions to be saved when an error occurs so that users can investigate and resolve the issues. Make provides customizable email notifications for warnings, errors, and scenario deactivations due to errors.
Zapier provides options for error handling, including the ability to add error-handling steps to each step in a Zap (except for the Trigger and Paths steps). These error-handling steps allow users to customize how their Zaps run when an error occurs.
Zapier also offers manual and automatic replay options for failed Zap runs. Zapier's error handling capabilities may not be as extensive as Make's, especially when it comes to customizing error handling scenarios and storing incomplete executions.
Make enables sharing and exporting workflows, facilitating collaboration and reusability, while Zapier's sharing options are limited to the Team plan.
Make allows users to share and export their workflows, making it easier for team members to collaborate and reuse successful automation templates. This can be particularly useful for organizations with multiple departments or teams working on similar processes.
Sharing Zaps through Zapier is only available from the Team plan onwards, which may limit collaboration opportunities for users on lower-tier plans. Similarly, Zap export/import only works on the Teams and Enterprise plans.
The pandemic has fundamentally changed the way many of us operate on a day-to-day basis. With lockdowns and social distancing measures forcing businesses to close their doors, companies had to pivot to virtual operations quickly.
In doing so, many discovered more efficient ways of working that not only helped them survive but, in some cases, enabled them to thrive. Now, as the world gradually returns to normal, it’s clear that these changes aren’t just temporary. According to a recent McKinsey survey, 90% of executives expect the digitisation of operations to continue well beyond the pandemic.
This shift has opened the door for software to take over many once-manual tasks. Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a central role in this transformation, in particular. Machine learning–powered tools can reduce redundancies, improve accuracy, and minimize risk, allowing businesses to operate with greater efficiency and precision.
As these tools become more advanced, their potential to drive productivity will continue to grow.
AI is also becoming more accessible. Many platforms now offer pre-built templates and user-friendly interfaces that require no coding skills, making it easier than ever for business owners to adopt these tools and focus on what they do best: running and growing their businesses.
2025 is the year to embrace AI. Businesses that implement these technologies early will gain a competitive advantage and position themselves for long-term success.
If you’re not sure how to get started with AI, you’re not alone. Many business owners are feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of implementing AI tools into their operations. The best way to get started? Launch an AI business yourself.
Starting your own AI company can help you learn the ins and outs of these tools much faster. You’ll not only discover how they can help your existing business, but you’ll also uncover innovative ways to improve your operations and boost your bottom line.
Launching an AI business can help you prepare for the future. The truth is, many of these tools will soon become ubiquitous. Companies across virtually all industries will use them to enhance operations.
Soon, any business that can’t leverage AI will be at a serious disadvantage. By starting an AI business today, you’ll be able to stay ahead of the curve and help others adapt to the changing landscape.
AI Acquisition has developed a proprietary AI operating system that helps our clients start and scale their AI businesses. Our software organizes, streamlines, and automates the various processes involved in running an AI business. Think of it as a home for your business that helps you stay on top of what’s going on, so you don’t get overwhelmed as you grow.
The AI Acquisition operating system utilizes artificial intelligence to automate the mundane tasks of running a business, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.
Get the exact playbook we used to build our own AI-powered agency. Inside, you'll discover the strategies, tools, and workflows that helped us systemize growth.
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