Zapier vs Make for Small Business: Prices, Tasks vs Credits

By Jody Rourke · Published October 19, 2026 · Last updated October 19, 2026 · Prices checked October 19, 2026

How we checked this: Compared from official docs and pricing pages as of 2026-10-19. We haven't tested these tools hands-on.

Make gives you more on its free plan: 1,000 credits a month [2], against 100 tasks on Zapier Free [1]. Make Core is $12 a month billed annually for 10,000 credits [2]. Zapier Professional is $19.99 a month billed annually for 750 tasks [1]. Credits and tasks are counted differently, so compare them for your own workflow.

Zapier vs Make: the short answer

• Make gives more free usage: 1,000 credits a month against Zapier's 100 tasks [1][2]. Its entry paid plan also has a lower list price: Core is $12 a month billed annually for 10,000 credits, against $19.99 a month billed annually for 750 tasks on Zapier Professional [1][2].
• Zapier counts only completed actions: triggers, polling and built-in tools such as Filter and Paths don't use tasks [1].
• Switching either way means rebuilding: Make says there's no automated import from Zapier [3].

Pricing compared (as of 2026-10-19)

Prices as of 2026-10-19 (vendor pricing pages), USD. Prices and plan limits change. Check the vendor's pricing page before you buy.

Zapier's comparison page says Make's Core plan starts at $12 a month billed annually [5], which matches Make's own pricing page, where that plan includes 10,000 credits a month [2].

Tasks vs credits: how each tool counts usage

Zapier tasks. A task is counted whenever Zapier successfully completes a unit of work; failed actions, triggers, polling and built-in tools like Formatter, Paths, Filter and Delay don't count [1]. Some actions cost more than one task, depending on step type, AI model tier and number of tool calls [1].

Make credits. Each module action in a scenario, like adding a Google Sheet row or fetching Gmail data, counts as one credit [2]. Most actions use 1 credit, but some features that use Make's AI Provider may use more [2]. The Router module and error-handler modules don't use credits [2]. Zapier says Make draws credits for every step, including polling, testing and errors [5]. That's a competitor's claim. Make's own help page says only features triggered by scenario runs use credits, at 1 credit per operation by default [4], but it doesn't say directly whether a trigger check that finds nothing new uses a credit.

When you run out: - On Zapier, if you turn on pay-per-task, extra tasks cost 2.5x the base rate on monthly plans or 1.25x on annual plans, and usage stops at 3x your subscription; it isn't available on Free [1]. - On Make, scenarios stop until credits are added; you can buy extra credits in bundles of 1,000 or 10,000, and Core, Pro and Teams can auto-purchase them [2]. Unused Make credits expire at the end of the term [2].

Common mistake: comparing $12 to $19.99 as if the units were the same

The easy mistake is to see Make Core at $12 a month for 10,000 credits [2] and Zapier Professional at $19.99 a month for 750 tasks [1], both billed annually, and stop there. A Zapier task and a Make credit aren't the same thing:

• Zapier doesn't charge for triggers, polling, Filter or Paths [1].
• Make charges one credit per module action [2], but not for the Router or error handlers [2].
• AI steps can cost more than one unit on both [1][2].

How to avoid it: write down one real workflow, step by step. Count the steps Zapier would charge as tasks and the module actions Make would charge as credits. Multiply each by how often it runs in a month, then check which plan covers that number on each pricing page.

Free plans compared

Zapier Free includes 100 tasks a month, two-step Zaps only and 15-minute polling [1]. Filters and Paths, webhooks and premium apps aren't on Free [1].

Make Free includes 1,000 credits a month, routers and filters, and a 15-minute minimum interval between runs [2]. Make says the Free plan isn't time-limited [3]. Core adds unlimited active scenarios and scheduling down to the minute [2]; Make doesn't state the Free plan's active-scenario limit on its pricing page.

Apps, AI and ease of use

• Apps: Zapier says it connects 9,000+ apps [1]. Make lists 3,000+ apps [3].
• AI: Make says all its paid plans include Make AI Agents, Make Grid and AI app capabilities [3]. If you connect your own AI provider account, you pay that provider for tokens; custom AI provider connections are on paid plans [4].
• Learning curve: Make's own comparison page says its power can mean a longer learning curve for less technical users compared with more basic tools [3]. Zapier also says Make's visual builder has a learning curve [5]. We haven't tested either.
• Security: Make's security page says it has completed SOC 2 Type II and SOC 3 audits, follows GDPR, and runs on Amazon AWS [6]. Zapier's security page says it is SOC 2 (Type II) and SOC 3 certified [7] and stores data on AWS in the United States [7]. Both are the vendors' own statements.

Who should pick which

Zapier fits you if your automations fit Free's 100 tasks a month and two-step Zaps [1]. On paid plans, Filter and Paths steps don't use tasks [1].

Not for: Zapier isn't for you if: - you need branching, webhooks or premium apps for free, because those are paid-plan features [1]; - you want the most units for the lowest list price, because Professional starts at 750 tasks for $19.99 a month billed annually [1].

Make fits you if you want more free usage (1,000 credits a month [2]) and a lower entry price ($12 a month billed annually, or $16 billed monthly [2]).

Not for: Make isn't for you if: - you need runs more often than every 15 minutes on a free plan, because Free has a 15-minute minimum interval [2]; - you want to move many existing Zaps without rebuilding them, because Make says there's no automated import [3]; - you want unused units to carry over, because Make credits expire at the end of the term [2].

What to do next

Pick one workflow, count its steps the way each tool charges, and check both pricing pages today.

Last updated: October 19, 2026