How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Zapier suits teams that want the widest app catalog and the most templates, with pricing tied to tasks per month.
- Pabbly Connect and Activepieces suit budget-focused teams, with task counting that favors simple, high-volume workflows or per-run pricing.
- IFTTT and Relay.app suit simpler or human-checked workflows, where a few reliable automations matter more than complex branching.
- Zoho Flow and Power Automate suit teams already inside Zoho or Microsoft, where native connections reduce setup work.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Zapier | Widest app catalog | $19.99 per month (billed annually) | Yes |
 Pabbly Connect | Budget high-volume workflows | $19 per month | Yes |
 IFTTT | Simple personal automations | $2.99 per month (billed annually) | Yes |
 Activepieces | Per-run open-source automation | $20 per month | Yes |
 Albato | Ready-made app connections | See website | Yes |
 Zoho Flow | Zoho app users | See website | Yes |
 Microsoft Power Automate | Microsoft 365 teams | See website | Free trial |
 Relay.app | Human-in-the-loop workflows | See website | Yes |
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Make builds automations, called scenarios, on a visual canvas, with routers, filters, and iterators for branching logic. Teams that look for an alternative usually want a lower price, a simpler builder, a wider app catalog, self-hosting, or a tool that fits an ecosystem they already use. The tools below cover that range. Some count each step, some count each full run, and some offer a free self-hosted edition. That counting difference matters, because a ten-step workflow can cost ten units on one platform and one unit on another. Check the counting model before you compare prices.
#1Zapier
Best for: Widest app catalog4.5/5 on
G2 (2,088 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit zapier.com
Starting price$19.99 per month (billed annually)
Free planYes
Zapier is the automation tool most teams know first, with thousands of app integrations and a large library of templates for common workflows. A user picks a trigger, such as a new form submission, adds actions, such as creating a CRM record and sending a Slack message, and turns the Zap on. The builder is simple, the documentation is extensive, and most popular apps offer many triggers and actions. For a team that needs an unusual app connection, Zapier is often the first place where that connection exists.
Pricing is the main drawback compared with Make. Zapier charges per task, and each action step counts, so a multi-step workflow uses tasks quickly. The free plan covers only a small monthly volume, and the paid Professional plan starts at a higher price than Make Core for a similar workload in many cases. Zapier fits teams that value catalog breadth, templates, and ease over the lowest per-workflow cost. Teams with heavy multi-step volume should compare Pabbly Connect or Activepieces.
What we like- Largest app catalog and template library
- Simple trigger and action builder
- Strong support and documentation
Watch out for- Task pricing rises fast with multi-step workflows
- Advanced branching and logic need higher tiers
#2Pabbly Connect
Best for: Budget high-volume workflows4.1/5 on
G2 (30 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit pabbly.com
Starting price$19 per month
Free planYes
Pabbly Connect uses the familiar trigger and action model, with a pricing detail that helps simple workflows. Filters, routers, formatters, and other internal steps do not count as tasks, so only calls to outside apps consume the monthly allowance. A workflow that checks a condition, formats a date, and creates one spreadsheet row costs one task, not four. That makes paid task allowances stretch further than they first appear, especially for straightforward lead, order, and notification workflows.
The free plan is small, at 100 tasks per month, so it works as a test rather than a long-term free home. Paid plans include Standard and Unlimited tiers, plus one-time lifetime options for buyers who prefer to avoid a monthly bill. The app catalog is smaller than Zapier or Make, and support resources are thinner. Pabbly Connect fits solo operators and small businesses with high-volume, simple workflows. Teams that need deep branching or a very wide catalog should look elsewhere.
What we like- Internal steps do not consume tasks
- Lifetime purchase options
- Unlimited workflows on paid plans
Watch out for- Free plan allows only 100 tasks per month
- Smaller app catalog and support resources than Zapier
#3IFTTT
Best for: Simple personal automations4.5/5 on
G2 (117 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit ifttt.com
Starting price$2.99 per month (billed annually)
Free planYes
IFTTT connects apps and devices through Applets, each built around a trigger and an action. A typical Applet saves email attachments to cloud storage, posts a social update when a blog post goes live, or adjusts smart-home devices at sunset. Setup takes minutes, and the ready-made library means many users never build from scratch. That simplicity makes IFTTT a good replacement for the simplest Make scenarios, such as one trigger and one or two actions.
The scope is narrow. The free plan covers only a couple of Applets, and paid plans add more Applets, multi-action Applets, and filter code on the highest tier. Complex branching, data transformation, and business workflows with many steps belong on Make, Zapier, or Activepieces instead. IFTTT fits personal use, smart-home routines, and a handful of simple business automations. It is not a full Make replacement for a team with many multi-step workflows.
What we like- Simplest setup for single-trigger automations
- Strong smart-home and mobile coverage
- Large ready-made Applet library
Watch out for- Free plan allows only a small number of Applets
- Business branching needs other tools
#4Activepieces
Best for: Per-run open-source automation4.8/5 on
G2 (142 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit activepieces.com
Starting price$20 per month
Free planYes
Activepieces differs from Make in how it counts use. On cloud plans, one credit covers one flow run, however many steps that flow contains, which favors complex workflows that would cost many credits on a per-step platform. The step-based builder includes branching, approvals, subflows, and code steps, and AI agents can draft flows from plain-language descriptions, with human approval for steps that touch money or customers. That mix suits teams that want automation plus a human check at key points.
The self-hosted Community Edition is free software under the MIT license, with no vendor cap on runs, so teams with server skills can run it for hosting cost alone. The trade-off is upkeep for updates, backups, and security. The cloud free plan suits testing and light use. Activepieces fits teams that want open-source control and per-run pricing, and it fits less well for users who need the widest app catalog on day one.
What we like- One credit per flow run regardless of step count
- Self-hosted Community Edition under the MIT license
- AI agents with approval gates
Watch out for- Smaller app catalog than Zapier
- Self-hosting needs server setup and upkeep
#5Albato
Best for: Ready-made app connections4.6/5 on
G2 (510 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit albato.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Albato focuses on ready-made automations for common app pairs, such as sending form leads to a CRM or syncing orders to a spreadsheet. Users pick a template, connect apps, map fields, and turn the automation on, without building each step from scratch. That approach suits small teams that want a working automation this week, and it compares well with Make for standard workflows, though Make offers more visual control for custom logic.
Free use is limited to a small number of transactions and a few steps per automation, so it works as a trial. Paid plans raise transaction limits and remove step limits, with team plans adding seats and shared workspaces. Albato fits teams whose app pairs are common and whose workflows are straightforward. For highly custom logic, or for very high volume on a tight budget, Pabbly Connect or Activepieces may cost less.
What we like- Large library of ready-made automations
- Simple setup for common app pairs
- Data mapping and migration tools
Watch out for- Free plan limits transactions and steps
- Team pricing rises quickly at higher volumes
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Zoho Flow connects Zoho CRM, Zoho Books, Zoho Desk, and other Zoho apps with outside tools including Google Workspace, Slack, and Shopify. Workflows can include decisions, delays, loops, and custom functions, and the visual builder makes field mapping clear for standard app pairs. For a team that already runs on Zoho, a new lead can trigger a CRM record, a task, a notification, and a follow-up email without a separate integration project. That native depth is the main advantage over Make for Zoho teams.
Outside Zoho, the advantage narrows, and Make or Zapier may offer a wider catalog or lower entry price. Pricing varies by flow volume, so check the current vendor page before budgeting. Zoho Flow is the natural Make alternative for Zoho-centered teams, and a reasonable shortlist candidate for anyone who wants a capable visual builder with a free starting tier.
What we like- Deep connections across Zoho apps
- Visual builder with logic and custom functions
- Fits teams already paying for Zoho
Watch out for- Strongest inside the Zoho ecosystem
- Outside app depth varies
#7Microsoft Power Automate
Best for: Microsoft 365 teams4.4/5 on
G2 (1,092 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit microsoft.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Power Automate offers cloud flows that move data between apps, and desktop flows that automate repetitive steps on a Windows computer. A Microsoft 365 team can save email attachments to SharePoint, post a Teams message when a form arrives, or route an approval through Teams. Standard connectors are included in some Microsoft 365 plans, which can make early automations effectively free for existing subscribers. That bundled access is a real advantage that outside tools cannot match.
Premium connectors, such as Salesforce or SQL Server, need a standalone license, and unattended desktop automation uses separate bot pricing. Read the pricing page with your exact app list in hand, because cost depends on which connectors each flow uses. Power Automate fits Microsoft-centered workplaces best. Teams that live in Google Workspace or a mix of unrelated apps will likely get simpler pricing from Zapier, Pabbly Connect, or Activepieces.
What we like- Deep Microsoft 365 and Teams integration
- Desktop flows for repetitive computer tasks
- Standard connectors in some Microsoft 365 plans
Watch out for- Pricing is complex across premium connectors and bot licenses
- Best value stays inside Microsoft tools
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Relay.app blends automation with human steps, which Make handles less directly. A workflow can pause for a person to approve a message, fill in a missing field, or review an AI draft before it goes out. That design fits processes that are mostly automatic but still need judgment at one point, such as approving social posts, reviewing lead data, or checking an invoice before it is sent. AI steps can summarize text, extract fields, and draft replies, with the human step acting as a check before anything reaches a customer.
The free plan covers light use and lets a small team test the human-step model on a real process. Paid plans raise run volume and add team features. The app catalog is smaller than Zapier or Make, so confirm that core apps are covered before building around Relay.app. For teams whose workflows stall because a person must intervene, Relay.app solves a problem that pure automation tools handle awkwardly.
What we like- Built-in human approval and data-entry steps
- AI steps for summarizing and extracting data
- Clear run history
Watch out for- Smaller app catalog than the largest platforms
- Newer platform with fewer templates
How we chose
We compared pricing pages, documentation, and public reviews on G2, Capterra, and Reddit, and we checked each tool for a genuine free tier or trial, a working app catalog, and a fit for small teams or solo users. Tools were kept only when they exist today, connect real apps, and offer a free starting point that a US reader can actually use. Prices shown here come from vendor pricing pages and third-party pricing summaries checked in October 2026, and where a price could not be confirmed at the time of writing, the entry reads See website. We did not run hands-on tests for this guide, and the order reflects free-plan value, catalog breadth, and fit for common workflows rather than a lab score.
Switching from Make without breaking workflows
A switch from Make works best as a rebuild, not a copy, because builders, counting models, and app actions differ across platforms. Start by listing every scenario, its trigger, its steps, and its schedule. Note which scenarios are time-critical, which handle money or customers, and which run most often. Rebuild the most important scenarios first in the new tool, run them in parallel with Make for a short period, and compare results before turning Make scenarios off.
Rebuild the counting model first
A scenario that costs ten credits on Make may cost one run on Activepieces, one task per action on Zapier, or one task on Pabbly Connect if internal steps are free. Run the numbers for your busiest scenario on each candidate before choosing. A tool that looks cheaper at the starter price can become expensive if its counting model charges for every step.
Check triggers and actions for each app
App catalogs differ in depth, not only in size. Search each candidate for your five most-used apps, and check whether the exact triggers and actions you need exist. A missing trigger often forces a webhook workaround, which adds setup work and failure points. Test one real workflow end to end in a trial before migrating the rest.
Keep error handling and logs in mind
Make run history helps trace failures to a specific module. Check how each alternative logs runs, alerts on errors, and retries failed steps. A tool with weak logs will cost time when a workflow fails quietly. Set up error alerts early, especially for workflows that touch orders, leads, or customer messages.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Make alternative overall?
Zapier is the safest overall pick for catalog breadth and templates, while Make itself remains strong for visual multi-step work. Pabbly Connect and Activepieces are better on price for many workflows, especially simple high-volume flows or complex multi-step flows. The best overall pick depends on whether catalog, price, or counting model matters most to your team.
Is there a free Make alternative?
Yes. Zapier, Pabbly Connect, IFTTT, Activepieces, Albato, Zoho Flow, and Relay.app all offer free plans, and Power Automate offers a free trial. Each free plan caps volume, steps, or speed, so free use suits testing and light workflows. For daily business volume, expect a paid tier on any platform.
Which alternative is cheapest for multi-step workflows?
Activepieces is often cheapest for multi-step workflows, because one credit covers one full flow run regardless of step count. Pabbly Connect is also cheap for simple workflows, because internal steps do not count as tasks. Compare both against your busiest workflow, counting steps and runs, before choosing on price alone.
Can I self-host a Make alternative?
Yes. Activepieces offers a free self-hosted Community Edition under the MIT license. Self-hosting gives control over data and removes vendor run caps, but it also means your team handles updates, backups, and security. Teams without server experience usually do better on a managed cloud plan.
Do these tools work with AI agents?
Activepieces and Relay.app include AI agent and AI step features, and Zapier offers separate AI agent products. Power Automate and Zoho Flow also add AI features in their wider platforms. Check the exact AI features for your plan, because AI steps can cost extra credits or require a higher tier on some platforms.
How hard is it to migrate from Make?
Migration difficulty depends on scenario complexity. Simple trigger and action workflows rebuild quickly in Zapier, Pabbly Connect, or Albato. Complex scenarios with routers, iterators, and custom logic take longer, and may need redesign in a step-based builder like Activepieces. Rebuild top scenarios first, run in parallel, and keep Make active until results match.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://zapier.com/pricing
- https://www.pabbly.com/connect/pricing/
- https://ifttt.com/plans
- https://www.activepieces.com/pricing
- https://www.albato.com/pricing
- https://www.zoho.com/flow/pricing.html
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/products/power-automate/pricing
- https://www.relay.app/pricing
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.