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Make vs Microsoft Power Automate. Side by side.

Compare pricing, strengths, and use cases so it is easier to pick the right fit.

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Make

Microsoft Power Automate

Best overall

For most everyday users, Microsoft Power Automate wins if you already live in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, SharePoint) and want a guided, AI-assisted start. Make is the better choice if you need to connect non-Microsoft apps, want a visual canvas for complex workflows, and are willing to climb a steeper learning curve for far lower cost. The single biggest difference: Power Automate is a polished enterprise tool with a confusing price tag; Make is a flexible, cost-effective builder that demands more from you upfront.

Make

#375 of 3,826 Web

Microsoft Power Automate

Free trial available; Paid plans from $15/user/month (annual) #276 of 3,826 Web

Scores at a glance

MakeMicrosoft Power AutomatePractical Versatility

Onboarding Ease

Ecosystem Fit

Market Value

Choose Make if

You need to connect apps that don't have a pre-built connector (e.g., a niche CRM or a custom API) and you're okay writing a bit of JSON
You want to build a multi-step workflow that involves data transformation, loops, and conditional logic without paying per user
You're a freelancer or small business owner on a tight budget and can invest time to learn a powerful tool
You record customer interviews weekly and want to automatically transcribe them, save to Google Drive, and post a summary to Slack

Choose Microsoft Power Automate if

You already use Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint daily and want to automate approvals, email sorting, or file sync without leaving Microsoft's ecosystem
You want to create a simple flow by typing 'When I get an email from my boss with 'urgent' in the subject, send me a Teams message' and have it work
You work in a large organization that requires data loss prevention policies and audit trails for compliance
You need to automate a repetitive desktop task (like filling a legacy app) using robotic process automation (RPA)

Key differences

Make has no mobile app; Power Automate has a mobile app for viewing and triggering flows (but not building them)
Power Automate offers AI Copilot for natural language flow creation; Make requires manual drag-and-drop configuration
Make is generally cheaper per operation and doesn't charge per user; Power Automate charges per user per month ($15+)
Power Automate integrates natively with Microsoft 365; Make connects to almost anything via HTTP but requires more setup
Make's visual canvas handles complex branching and data aggregation better than Power Automate's linear designer
Power Automate has a free trial and clear pricing page; Make's pricing is not publicly listed, which can be frustrating

Facts side by side

	Make	Microsoft Power Automate
Free plan
Mobile app
API access

Make: strengths & weaknesses

Visual drag-and-drop canvas lets you build complex, branching workflows that are easy to read and tweak
Extremely cost-effective compared to Zapier and Power Automate — you get a lot of operations for your money
Universal HTTP module means you can connect to almost any app or service that has an API, even if there's no pre-built connector
Built-in Data Store and Aggregators let you handle data like a mini database without extra tools
Steep learning curve — beginners often get lost in the visual complexity and cryptic error messages
No mobile app, so you can't monitor or trigger workflows from your phone
No official API for programmatic control, limiting advanced integrations
Pricing is not clearly published on the website, making it hard to budget upfront

Microsoft Power Automate: strengths & weaknesses

Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 — Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Excel, OneDrive — so if you use those daily, you're already set
AI Copilot helps you create flows by typing what you want in plain English, lowering the barrier for non-coders
Massive library of 1,000+ pre-built connectors for popular apps like Salesforce, Twitter, and Dropbox
Robust security and governance features, making it a safe choice for businesses that need compliance
Licensing and pricing tiers are confusing — the free trial is limited, and paid plans start at $15/user/month, which adds up fast for a team
Advanced automation (like desktop RPA) requires extra infrastructure (virtual machines) and higher-tier licenses
The flow designer can feel clunky for complex logic, and debugging with Workflow Definition Language (WDL) is not beginner-friendly
No mobile app for building flows (though you can view and trigger them on mobile via the Power Automate mobile app)

Common questions

Is Make better than Microsoft Power Automate for connecting non-Microsoft apps?

Yes. Make's Universal HTTP module lets you connect to any app with an API, even if there's no pre-built connector. Power Automate relies on its connector library, which is huge but still misses some niche services.

Can I use Power Automate on my phone?

You can use the Power Automate mobile app to view, trigger, and monitor flows, but you cannot build or edit flows on your phone. Make has no mobile app at all.

Which tool is easier for a beginner with no coding experience?

Power Automate is easier for beginners, especially if you use Microsoft 365. Its AI Copilot lets you describe what you want in plain English. Make has a steeper learning curve and requires you to understand concepts like webhooks and data mapping.

Is Make really cheaper than Power Automate?

Generally, yes. Make offers more operations per dollar and doesn't charge per user, making it much more affordable for individuals or small teams. Power Automate's per-user pricing can get expensive quickly, though it includes a free trial.

Can I automate desktop applications (like an old Windows program) with these tools?

Only Power Automate can do that — it has a desktop RPA feature that can interact with legacy apps. Make is purely cloud-based and cannot control desktop software.

Which tool is better for complex workflows with many steps and conditions?

Make is better for complex workflows because its visual canvas lets you see and manage branching logic, loops, and data transformations clearly. Power Automate's linear designer can become messy for advanced scenarios.

Power Automate wins for Microsoft loyalists who want ease; Make wins for budget-conscious tinkerers who need flexibility.

If you're already using Microsoft 365 and want a gentle, AI-assisted start, go with Power Automate — just watch out for the cost as you add users. If you're comfortable learning a new tool and need to connect a wide variety of apps without breaking the bank, Make is your best bet. Both are powerful, but your choice really comes down to your existing tech stack and your budget.

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Detail pages: Make · Microsoft Power Automate

Make

Microsoft Power Automate

Free plan

Mobile app

API access