Automation Platforms: Zapier, Make, or N8n? Which is the best automation platform to fit your business needs?

List of Most Popular Automation Software and How to Choose the Right Platform

last updated Thursday, June 5, 2025
#zapier vs make vs n8n #make vs zapier

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by John Burson

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List of the 15 most popular automation software platforms

Please find below the list of workflow automation platforms. The 15 most popular platforms are organized in a table ready to be copied to Google Sheets. Each platform has a short description and URLs for its social media pages and webpages.

#	Platform	Description	Website	LinkedIn
1	Zapier	Connects thousands of apps to automate repetitive tasks without coding.	https://zapier.com	https://www.linkedin.com/company/zapier
2	Make	Visual workflow automation connects apps and services with advanced logic.	https://www.make.com	https://www.linkedin.com/company/makehq
3	n8n	Open-source workflow automation tool with extensive customization.	https://n8n.io	https://www.linkedin.com/company/n8n
4	Microsoft Power Automate	Automation solution within the Microsoft ecosystem, great for enterprises.	https://powerautomate.microsoft.com	https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/microsoft-power-automate
5	Workato	Enterprise-grade platform for app integration and automation.	https://www.workato.com	https://www.linkedin.com/company/workato
6	Tray.io	Flexible low-code automation platform for complex integrations.	https://tray.io	https://www.linkedin.com/company/tray-io
7	IFTTT	Consumer-friendly automation connecting smart home devices and apps.	https://ifttt.com	https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifttt
8	Kissflow	Workflow software for digital process automation and project management.	https://kissflow.com	https://www.linkedin.com/company/kissflow
9	Pipefy	Workflow management and automation platform with a no-code interface.	https://www.pipefy.com	https://www.linkedin.com/company/pipefy
10	Tallyfy	Automates recurring processes and approvals across teams.	https://tallyfy.com	https://www.linkedin.com/company/tallyfy
11	Automate.io (by Notion)	Simple workflow automation between cloud apps, now part of Notion.	https://automate.io	https://www.linkedin.com/company/automate-io
12	Integrately	1-click automation for over 1000+ apps, ideal for small businesses.	https://integrately.com	https://www.linkedin.com/company/integrately
13	Camunda	Developer-friendly open-source platform for BPMN workflow automation.	https://camunda.com	https://www.linkedin.com/company/camunda
14	Nintex	Enterprise automation for workflows, forms, and document generation.	https://www.nintex.com	https://www.linkedin.com/company/nintex
15	KissIQ	AI-driven automation platform focused on customer and employee workflows.	https://www.kissiq.com	https://www.linkedin.com/company/kissiq

A short list of the three most popular automation platforms.

This section of the document provides a more comprehensive comparison of the initial three platforms: Zapier vs Make vs N8N. 

Software Automaton Platform Zapier, Make, N8N

Workflow automation platforms like Zapier, Make, and n8n serve different purposes and appeal to various user groups. Zapier is great for basic, quick automations and is user-friendly. Make stands out for creating complex, scalable workflows, and its visual interface makes it easy to use. n8n is geared towards technical users who require full control and customization, offering a more robust, flexible, and cost-effective option, particularly when self-hosting. 

Feature	Zapier	Make	n8n
Best For	Non-technical users seeking quick, simple automations	Users needing complex, scalable workflows with a visual interface	Developers and teams requiring full control, customization, and flexibility, especially for AI workflows
Ease of Use	Very user-friendly; ideal for beginners	Intuitive drag-and-drop interface; steeper learning curve for advanced features	Requires technical expertise; open-source with self-hosting options
Integrations	6,000+ apps supported	1,500+ apps supported	1,000+ apps supported; supports custom API integrations
Customization	Limited, basic scripting with "Code by Zapier"	Moderate; built-in functions and limited custom JS functions on the Enterprise plan	High; open-source, supports custom nodes, JavaScript, and Python scripting
Pricing Model	Charges per task can become expensive for high-volume workflows	Charges per operation; more cost-effective for complex workflows	Charges per workflow execution; cost-effective, especially when self-hosted
Self-Hosting	Not available	Not available	Available; free for self-hosting, with cloud options
AI Automation	Limited;, AI-powered Zap builder and Formatter with AI	Limited, AI-powered tools are available on higher-tier plans	Advanced; supports LangChain for sophisticated AI-powered automation
Error Handling	Basic error handling steps	Robust error handling options like ignore, resume, rollback, etc.	Customizable error workflows; supports advanced error handling
Collaboration	Sharing only on the Team plan and above	Sharing and exporting scenarios are available	Basic team management on paid tiers; extended functionality on the Enterprise plan
Ideal Users	Small businesses, solo entrepreneurs, and teams seeking simplicity	Mid-sized businesses and teams requiring advanced automation capabilities	Large enterprises, developers, and teams need full control and customization

Summary of Strengths and Limitations: Zapier Vs Make Vs N8N

Zapier

• Strengths
  Extensive app integrations, user-friendly interface, quick setup, ideal for non-technical users.
• Limitations
  Limited customization options, higher costs for high-volume workflows, no self-hosting capabilities.

Make

• Strengths
  Powerful visual editor, advanced workflow automation, cost-effective for complex workflows, robust error handling.
• Limitations
  Steeper learning curve for advanced features, can become expensive for high-volume workflows, limited customization compared to n8n.

n8n

• Strengths
  Open-source, highly customizable, supports self-hosting, advanced AI automation capabilities, cost-effective for high-volume workflows.
• Limitations
  Requires technical expertise, smaller app integration library, steeper learning curve, reliance on self-hosting for full benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best workflow automation tool for non-technical users?

Zapier is the top choice for non-technical users due to its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, minimal learning curve, and extensive library of 6,000+ pre-built app integrations. It enables quick automation setup without coding knowledge, making it ideal for beginners and small businesses seeking efficient task automation.

Which automation platform offers the most advanced customization options?

n8n provides the highest level of customization through its open-source architecture, support for JavaScript/Python scripting, and custom API integrations. Unlike closed platforms like Zapier or Make, n8n allows developers to create custom nodes, modify source code, and implement sophisticated logic - especially valuable for AI-powered workflows and unique enterprise requirements.

How do Zapier, Make and n8n compare in pricing?

Zapier charges per task ($$$), Make per operation ($$), and n8n per workflow execution ($), making n8n the most cost-effective for high-volume automation. Zapier becomes expensive at scale (100k+ tasks), while Make offers better value for complex workflows. n8n's self-hosted version provides significant savings for technical teams.

Can these platforms handle complex enterprise automation?

Yes, Make and n8n excel at enterprise-grade automation with features like robust error handling, conditional logic, and data transformation. For Microsoft-centric organizations, Power Automate offers deep ecosystem integration. Workato and Nintex provide additional enterprise solutions with enhanced security protocols and compliance certifications.

Which tool is best for AI-powered workflow automation?

n8n leads in AI automation with native LangChain support and custom AI model integrations. It enables sophisticated AI workflows like document analysis and smart routing. While Zapier offers basic AI through its OpenAI integration, and Make includes some AI tools on premium plans, n8n's open-source flexibility allows deeper AI customization for developers.

 
 
 

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