Solo Biz Soft Editorial Team Zapier and Make both connect your apps and automate repetitive work, such as saving form submissions to a spreadsheet or posting a message when a payment arrives. They price usage differently, which makes ‘which is cheaper’ harder to answer than it looks. This guide compares their plans using each company’s own pricing page.
Prices are in US dollars and were checked on 19 September 2026. Zapier counts tasks; Make counts credits, so the numbers below are not directly comparable.
Quick comparison
| Zapier | Make | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 100 tasks a month; two-step Zaps only | 1,000 credits a month; 2 active scenarios |
| Entry paid plan | Professional: $19.99 annual or $29.99 monthly (750 tasks) | Core: $9 monthly (10,000 credits) |
| Next plan | Team: from $69 annual (2,000 tasks) | Pro: $16 monthly (10,000 credits) |
| Multi-step workflows | Paid plans | Included, with routers and filters |
| Usage unit | Tasks | Credits |
Zapier
Zapier’s free plan gives you 100 tasks a month, but only two-step Zaps, and it excludes premium apps and webhooks. Professional adds multi-step Zaps, unlimited premium apps and webhooks, starting at 750 tasks a month for $19.99 billed annually or $29.99 billed monthly. Team plans start at 2,000 tasks a month.
Pros
- Very widely used and easy to start
- Professional includes premium apps and webhooks
- Clear task-based pricing
Cons
- Free plan limited to 100 tasks and two-step Zaps
- Prices rise with task volume
- Team plans start at a higher task tier
Visit ZapierFree plan
Make
Make’s free plan gives you 1,000 credits a month, two active scenarios, a 15-minute minimum interval and 3,000+ apps with routers and filters. Core is $9 a month (monthly billing) for 10,000 credits with unlimited active scenarios and a one-minute interval. Pro is $16 a month and Teams is $29.
Pros
- More credits on the free plan
- Lower entry price on Core
- Routers and filters on every plan
Cons
- Only 2 active scenarios on Free
- Credits can be harder to estimate than tasks
- Interface can take longer to learn
Visit MakeFree plan
So which is cheaper?
On the headline numbers, Make’s Core plan ($9 a month for 10,000 credits) looks cheaper than Zapier’s Professional plan ($29.99 a month for 750 tasks on monthly billing). But tasks and credits are counted differently, so the real cost depends on how your workflows run. Build the same simple automation in both free plans and compare how many tasks or credits it uses.
How to choose
If you only need a couple of simple automations: both free plans may be enough.
If you want complex workflows at a lower entry price: look at Make.
If you want the simplest setup: try Zapier first.
Frequently asked questions
Which is easier for beginners?
Many people find Zapier simpler to start, while Make offers more control. Try both free plans.
Are tasks and credits the same?
No. Each platform counts usage in its own way, so compare using a real workflow.
Do I need a paid plan?
Not necessarily. The free plans allow a small number of automations.
Related reading: Best Project Management Software for Freelancers (2026)
Prices and features were checked on 19 September 2026 and can change. Always confirm on the company’s website.