Make (formerly Integromat) and Zapier are the two most widely used no-code automation platforms. Both connect your apps via triggers and actions, both work with Shopify, and both can automate the kinds of cross-tool workflows that eliminate manual data entry for e-commerce businesses.
But they aren’t the same tool. Make is more powerful for complex, multi-step workflows. Zapier is easier to use for simpler automations. The right choice depends on your technical comfort, the complexity of the automations you need, and whether you’re already using other tools in one ecosystem.
Pricing Comparison
Make: Free plan (1,000 operations/month, 2 active scenarios). Core $10.59/month (10,000 operations), Pro $18.82/month (40,000 operations). Operations in Make are each action in a scenario — a scenario with 5 steps processing 100 triggers uses 500 operations.
Zapier: Free plan (100 tasks/month, 5 Zaps, single-step only). Starter $29.99/month (750 tasks). Professional $73.50/month (2,000 tasks). Tasks in Zapier are each Zap execution — a 5-step Zap running 100 times uses 100 tasks (not 500).
Pricing conclusion: Make is significantly cheaper per operation at comparable task volumes, especially for complex multi-step scenarios. Zapier’s pricing model (per task execution, not per step) can be more cost-effective for simple single-step automations at low volume.
Complexity and Power
This is the biggest difference between the two platforms.
Zapier
Zapier is linear — trigger → filter → action(s). Its Paths feature adds conditional branching, and its multi-step Zaps support multiple actions in sequence. It’s intuitive and well-documented, making it the easier starting point for someone new to automation.
Where Zapier struggles: complex data transformation (reformatting data between apps), error handling, iterating over arrays (processing multiple line items from a Shopify order), and building scenarios where the logic branches significantly based on data conditions.
Make
Make’s visual scenario builder is more powerful — it handles iterators, aggregators, custom data transformation, error routes, and complex conditional logic natively. For e-commerce scenarios like “process each line item from a Shopify order and create a separate record in CRM for each,” Make handles this natively. In Zapier, this requires workarounds that can break.
Make’s interface has a steeper learning curve than Zapier — but for experienced automation builders, it’s the preferred tool for complex scenarios.
Shopify Integration
Both have strong Shopify integrations with triggers for new orders, updated orders, new customers, product updates, and more. Make’s Shopify module handles complex scenarios better — for example, processing order line items individually is straightforward in Make and requires workarounds in Zapier.
For simple Shopify automations (new order → send notification, new customer → add to email list), both work equally well. For complex Shopify workflows involving multiple line items, inventory updates, or multi-system sync, Make is the stronger choice.
App Ecosystem
Zapier connects to 7,000+ apps. Make connects to 1,000+. For most mainstream business tools (Shopify, Zoho, Slack, Google Workspace, QuickBooks, Salesforce, HubSpot), both have coverage. If you’re using niche tools, check Make’s connector library before assuming it has what you need.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Zapier if:
- You’re new to automation and want the easiest learning curve
- Your automations are simple (1–3 steps, no complex data transformation)
- You need a specific integration that only Zapier has
- Your team will maintain the automations and doesn’t have technical capacity for Make’s complexity
Choose Make if:
- You need complex, multi-step workflows with branching logic
- You’re processing order line items or multi-record data (iterators)
- Cost matters at higher automation volumes
- You have someone on the team comfortable with more technical automation tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Make better than Zapier?
Make is more powerful for complex multi-step automations (iterators, data transformation, error routing). Zapier is easier for simple automations with a larger app ecosystem (7,000+ vs 1,000+). Make is cheaper at equivalent volumes. For e-commerce brands with complex integration needs, Make is often the better long-term choice. For simple workflows, Zapier is easier to start with.
Does Make work with Shopify?
Yes — strong Shopify integration with triggers for orders, customers, products, and more. Particularly well-suited for complex Shopify scenarios like processing order line items individually or building data-conditional flows.
How much does Make cost compared to Zapier?
Make Core: $10.59/month for 10,000 operations. Zapier Starter: $29.99/month for 750 tasks. Make is priced per step in a scenario; Zapier per Zap execution. Make is significantly cheaper for complex multi-step workflows.
What is the difference between Make and Zapier?
Make is more powerful for complex workflows with advanced data handling. Zapier is easier for simple automations with a larger app ecosystem. Make is cheaper at higher volumes. Non-technical users start faster with Zapier; experienced automation builders prefer Make’s flexibility.
Automate the Right Things the Right Way
OpsStack helps e-commerce businesses design and build automation workflows — whether in Make, Zapier, or Zoho Flow — that reduce manual work without creating fragile systems. Talk to us about what you want to automate.
