The honest automation platform breakdown.
Three platforms. Real pricing. Where each one wins and where it doesn't. My personal recommendation included, but all three presented fairly.
Quick comparison
| Platform | Free Tier | Paid From | Ease of Use | Complexity Ceiling | AI Integrations | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Make | 1,000 ops/mo | $10.59/mo | ●●●○○ | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | Complex workflows, AI-heavy builds |
| Zapier | 100 tasks/mo | $29.99/mo | ●●●●● | ●●●○○ | ●●●○○ | Simple automations, beginners |
| n8n | Self-host free | Cloud $24/mo | ●●○○○ | ●●●●● | ●●●●○ | Developers, self-hosters, technical teams |
What's inside
Platform 01
Make (formerly Integromat)
Overview
Visual automation platform that lets you connect apps, build multi-step workflows, and add real logic. Not just 'when X happens, do Y.' You can build if/else paths, loops, error handlers, and complex data transformations. The visual builder makes it readable even when workflows get complicated.
Pricing breakdown
Free tier gives you 1,000 operations per month (an operation is roughly one action in a workflow). Core $10.59/mo (10,000 ops). Pro $18.82/mo (10,000 ops + more features). Teams $34.12/mo. Operations scale with add-on packs. Much cheaper than Zapier for the same volume.
Where it wins
Price-to-power ratio. Visual builder clarity. Error handling. HTTP/webhook flexibility. AI module integrations (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc. built in). Data transformation. Router modules that let one trigger feed multiple paths. This is where most businesses should be.
Limitations
Steeper learning curve than Zapier. The interface can feel overwhelming at first. Documentation is good but assumes some technical comfort. Fewer 'one-click' templates than Zapier.
AI integrations
Native modules for OpenAI, Anthropic (Claude), Google AI, Hugging Face, and others. You can build AI-powered workflows that process data, generate content, analyze documents, and make routing decisions. This is where Make genuinely separates from Zapier.
Pick this if
You need anything beyond basic 'trigger then action' automations. If you're connecting more than 2 tools, adding any logic, or building AI workflows, Make is my recommendation. This is what I use for everything.
Mary's take
"I prefer Make for my clients because it is WAY simpler learning curve and still has a good amount of customization for free tier." · Mary
Platform 02
Zapier
Overview
The automation platform everyone starts with. Zapier's strength is simplicity. Pick a trigger app, pick an action app, turn it on. No visual builder, no complex routing. Just 'when this happens, do that.' It works. For simple automations, nothing is easier to set up.
Pricing breakdown
Free tier gives you 100 tasks per month with single-step Zaps only. Starter $29.99/mo (750 tasks). Professional $73.50/mo (2,000 tasks). Team $103.50/mo. Enterprise custom. Multi-step Zaps require paid plans. Gets expensive fast.
Where it wins
Ease of use. App library (7,000+ integrations, more than anyone). Speed of setup for simple workflows. Templates marketplace. If you need a basic 2-step automation running in 5 minutes, Zapier is unmatched.
Limitations
Expensive for volume. No visual workflow builder (uses a linear list). Limited error handling. Branching logic (Paths) is confusing and limited compared to Make's routers. AI features are basic. Pricing model penalizes you for doing more.
AI integrations
Has an AI module and some AI-powered features but they're limited compared to Make. No native Anthropic integration. The AI features feel bolted on rather than built in.
Pick this if
You need 1-3 simple automations and you don't want to learn a new tool. If your automation is 'new form submission then add to spreadsheet then send email,' Zapier handles that in minutes.
Platform 03
n8n
Overview
The open-source automation platform. You can self-host it for free or use their cloud version. The workflow builder is visual (similar to Make) and the complexity ceiling is as high as it gets. You can write custom code nodes, hit any API, and build things the other platforms can't.
Pricing breakdown
Self-hosted is free forever (you pay for your own server). Cloud Starter $24/mo (2,500 executions). Cloud Pro $60/mo (10,000 executions). Enterprise custom. Self-hosting on a $5/mo server is the cheapest automation setup possible.
Where it wins
Price (self-hosted). Flexibility. Custom code nodes. No vendor lock-in. If you're technical or have a developer, n8n can do literally anything. The community is active and growing fast.
Limitations
Self-hosting requires technical knowledge (Docker, server management). Cloud version is newer and less polished than Make or Zapier. Fewer pre-built integrations than Zapier. UI is functional but not as refined as Make's. Not beginner-friendly.
AI integrations
Strong. LangChain integration, OpenAI, Anthropic, vector databases, AI agents. n8n is popular with developers building AI agent workflows. If you're building advanced AI automations, n8n is a serious option.
Pick this if
You're technical (or have someone who is), you want full control, and you don't want to pay per operation. Popular with startups, developers, and agencies that build automations for clients.
The Verdict
So which one should you pick?
If you're just starting
Zapier. Set up your first automation in 10 minutes. Outgrow it later. That's fine.
If you're building real workflows
Make. Better pricing, better builder, better AI. This is where most businesses should land.
If you're technical and want control
n8n. Self-host it. Build whatever you want. Pay almost nothing.
If budget is the deciding factor
n8n self-hosted (free) or Make free tier (1,000 ops/mo). Both beat Zapier's 100 free tasks.
If you need AI in your automations
Make or n8n. Zapier's AI capabilities are not competitive here.
My honest recommendation
Start with Make unless you have a specific reason not to. The free tier is generous enough to learn on. The paid tiers are affordable. And when you're ready to add AI, the modules are already there. I've tried all three extensively. Make is the one I stayed with.
Your next step
The Responsible AI Framework
Before you automate everything, find out what level your business is actually operating at and what should stay manual.
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