Zapier vs Make for Nonprofits
Choosing between Zapier's industry-leading ease of use and Make's powerful cost savings? Both platforms automate workflows and eliminate repetitive tasks, but Zapier excels at simplicity with 8,000+ integrations while Make delivers 30x cost efficiency with visual workflows. Your decision hinges on whether beginner-friendliness justifies higher costs—or if technical learning unlocks massive savings for your mission.
Quick Verdict
Choose based on your nonprofit's priorities:
Choose Zapier if:
- •Your team has limited technical capacity and needs the simplest, most intuitive automation tool (minimal learning curve)
- •Access to 8,000+ app integrations is critical—you need to connect with nearly every business app
- •Speed to launch matters more than cost—you can create working automations in minutes without training
- •You prefer guided, linear workflows with step-by-step setup and AI-powered Copilot assistance
- •You have $20-30/month budget per user and value ease of use over advanced features and cost optimization
Choose Make if:
- •Budget is a primary constraint and you need to maximize operations per dollar (30x more cost-efficient than Zapier)
- •Your team includes power users who can invest time learning a visual canvas interface for complex workflows
- •You need unlimited branching, iterators, and advanced error handling for sophisticated automation logic
- •Visual workflow mapping that shows your entire automation at a glance is important for troubleshooting
- •You're running high-volume workflows (10,000+ operations/month) and want to optimize costs at scale
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Feature | Zapier | Make | Winner / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $19.99/month (750 tasks) | $9/month (10,000 ops) | 💰 Make saves 55% |
| Nonprofit Discount | 15% off all plans | No discount needed | 🏆 Make (already cheaper) |
| Free Tier | 100 tasks/month | 1,000 operations/month | 🎉 Make 10x more generous |
| Cost Per Operation | $0.027 | $0.0009 | ⚡ Make 30x cheaper |
| Integrations | 8,000+ apps | 3,000+ apps | 🔌 Zapier breadth; Make depth |
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly (5/5) | Intermediate (3/5) | 👍 Zapier wins simplicity |
| Learning Curve | Minutes to first automation | 2-3 hours to proficiency | 🚀 Zapier faster start |
| Visual Workflow Builder | Linear step-by-step | Full visual canvas | 🎨 Make for complex workflows |
| Advanced Features | Paths, loops, error handlers | Unlimited routers, iterators | 🔧 Make more powerful |
| AI Capabilities | Copilot, 250+ AI integrations | AI Agents, OpenAI/Claude | 🤖 Different strengths |
| Error Handling | Custom error handlers | Advanced error routing | 🛡️ Make more flexible |
| Best For | Beginners, small teams | Power users, high-volume | 💼 Depends on team skills |
Last updated: January 8, 2026. Pricing and features subject to change; verify with vendors.
Head-to-Head Feature Breakdown
Integration Breadth & Depth
Zapier
8,000+ pre-built app integrations covering virtually every business tool. If an app exists, Zapier probably connects to it. However, each app typically offers 20-30 actions, which may limit advanced use cases.
Make
3,000+ integrations with deeper, more granular actions per app. For example, Make supports 84 Xero actions vs Zapier's 25. Plus unlimited custom API connections via HTTP Request nodes for any service.
Nonprofit Verdict
Zapier wins for breadth; Make wins for depth. Choose Zapier if you need niche app support; choose Make if you need advanced actions in common tools.
Ease of Use & Learning Curve
Zapier
Linear, step-by-step interface with guided setup. Create your first automation in minutes with zero training. AI Copilot suggests workflows and helps troubleshoot. Perfect for non-technical staff.
Make
Visual canvas requires 2-3 hours to learn routers, iterators, and modules. More powerful but steeper learning curve. Once mastered, visual mapping makes complex workflows easier to understand and troubleshoot.
Nonprofit Verdict
Zapier is the clear winner for teams without technical capacity. Make is worth the learning investment for power users and high-volume automation needs.
Advanced Workflow Capabilities
Zapier
Paths (branching), Loops (iteration), and custom error handlers. Recently added but still more limited than Make. Adequate for most nonprofit use cases but may hit limits with complex workflows.
Make
Unlimited routers (branching), iterators (arrays), aggregators (data manipulation), advanced error routing, and visual debugging. Built for complex, multi-step automations with sophisticated logic.
Nonprofit Verdict
Make dominates for complex workflows. If you need sophisticated branching logic, data transformation, or advanced error handling, Make is the better choice.
AI Features & Capabilities
Zapier
Zapier Copilot (AI assistant), 250+ AI app integrations, AI-generated Zaps from natural language prompts, smart workflow suggestions, and AI-powered troubleshooting. Excellent for assisted automation building.
Make
Make AI Agents for multi-step processes, AI-native workflow orchestration, deep integrations with OpenAI, Claude, and Gemini, plus predictive process optimization. Built for creating intelligent automation systems.
Nonprofit Verdict
Different strengths: Zapier excels at AI-assisted building (Copilot); Make excels at AI-native workflows (agents, models). Both are strong for different AI use cases.
Pricing Breakdown & Total Cost of Ownership
Zapier Pricing
15% nonprofit discount on all plans
- • 100 tasks/month
- • 5 Zaps
- • 15-minute update frequency
With 15% nonprofit discount: $16.99/month
- • 750 tasks/month
- • 20 Zaps
- • Multi-step Zaps
- • Premium apps
With 15% nonprofit discount: $58.65/month
- • 2,000 tasks/month
- • Unlimited Zaps
- • Shared workspace
- • Premier support
- • Custom task volumes
- • Advanced admin controls
- • SSO & compliance
- • Dedicated support
Make Pricing
No nonprofit discount (already affordable)
- • 1,000 operations/month
- • Unlimited scenarios
- • 15-minute intervals
- • 10,000 operations/month
- • Unlimited scenarios
- • 5-minute intervals
- • Full apps access
- • 10,000 operations/month
- • Priority execution
- • 1-minute intervals
- • Advanced features
- • 10,000 operations/month
- • Team collaboration
- • Shared scenarios
- • Admin controls
Total Cost of Ownership Analysis
Real-world cost comparisons for three nonprofit scenarios. Note that "tasks" (Zapier) and "operations" (Make) are roughly equivalent—each action in your workflow counts as one task/operation.
Small Nonprofit
2-5 staff, basic automation needs
Typical Usage:
- • 500-1,000 operations/month
- • 3-5 workflows
- • CRM sync, email automation
Zapier Cost:
Free tier (100 tasks) insufficient → Pro $16.99/month with discount
$204/year
Make Cost:
Free tier (1,000 ops) covers needs entirely
$0/year
Savings with Make: $204/year
Mid-Size Nonprofit
10-20 staff, moderate automation
Typical Usage:
- • 5,000-8,000 operations/month
- • 10-15 workflows
- • Multi-step automations
Zapier Cost:
Team plan $58.65/month with discount (2,000 tasks) + $30 overage
$1,064/year
Make Cost:
Core plan $9/month (10,000 ops) covers needs
$108/year
Savings with Make: $956/year
Large Nonprofit
50+ staff, extensive automation
Typical Usage:
- • 20,000+ operations/month
- • 30+ workflows
- • Complex multi-step processes
Zapier Cost:
Enterprise plan ~$300-500/month (custom pricing)
$3,600-6,000/year
Make Cost:
2x Pro plans ($16/month each) = $32/month for 20,000 ops
$384/year
Savings with Make: $3,216-5,616/year
ROI Calculation Example
A mid-size nonprofit automating donor thank-you emails, volunteer scheduling, and CRM updates:
Time Savings (Both Platforms)
- • Manual data entry: 5 hours/week → Automated
- • Email follow-ups: 3 hours/week → Automated
- • Report generation: 2 hours/week → Automated
- Total: 10 hours/week = 520 hours/year
- • At $25/hour value: $13,000/year saved
Net ROI After Platform Costs
With Zapier:
$13,000 savings - $1,064 cost = $11,936 net gain
1,122% ROI
With Make:
$13,000 savings - $108 cost = $12,892 net gain
11,937% ROI
Both platforms deliver exceptional ROI. Make's lower cost increases net savings by $956/year, but Zapier's ease of use may reduce implementation time.
Note: Prices may be outdated or inaccurate.
Use Case Scenarios
Real-world automation scenarios showing when each platform shines for nonprofit workflows.
Scenario 1: Donor Thank-You Automation (Zapier Wins)
Organization
Small animal rescue, 3 staff members, limited technical skills
Challenge
Manually sending thank-you emails takes 3 hours/week; donors sometimes wait days for acknowledgment
Solution with Zapier
Created donation → Gmail automation in 10 minutes using Zapier's step-by-step builder. No training needed; staff member set it up same day.
Result & ROI
Instant thank-you emails, 3 hours/week saved ($3,900/year). Zapier cost: $204/year. Net gain: $3,696/year
Why Zapier: Speed to launch and zero learning curve meant immediate results. Make would have required 2-3 hours learning, delaying implementation.
Scenario 2: Complex Grant Tracking Workflow (Make Wins)
Organization
Mid-size nonprofit managing 50+ grants/year, has part-time IT volunteer
Challenge
Tracking grant deadlines, reporting requirements, and budget allocation across Airtable, Google Calendar, Slack, and accounting system
Solution with Make
Built workflow with 12 steps, 4 routers (branching), iterators for batch processing. IT volunteer spent 6 hours learning Make, then 4 hours building workflow.
Result & ROI
Automated 8 hours/week of manual tracking (15,000 ops/month). Make cost: $192/year (2× Core plans). Net gain: $10,208/year
Why Make: Complex branching logic (different actions for federal vs foundation vs corporate grants) and high operation volume (15,000/month) made Make's visual canvas and low cost essential. Zapier would cost $2,000+/year for same volume.
Scenario 3: Social Media Posting Automation (Zapier Wins)
Organization
Youth advocacy nonprofit, 1 communications director handling 5 social channels
Challenge
Manually cross-posting blog content to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and newsletter takes 2 hours/post
Solution with Zapier
WordPress blog → 5 social channels automation using Zapier's multi-path feature. Set up in 30 minutes with Copilot assistance suggesting optimal posting times.
Result & ROI
8 hours/month saved (10 blog posts × 45 min/post). Annual savings: $2,400. Zapier cost: $204/year. Net gain: $2,196/year
Why Zapier: 8,000+ integrations ensured native support for all 5 platforms. Zapier Copilot suggested optimal workflow structure. Low operation volume (200/month) fit comfortably in free tier initially.
Scenario 4: Volunteer Onboarding System (Make Wins)
Organization
Volunteer network coordinating 500+ volunteers across 20 programs, tech-savvy operations manager
Challenge
Complex onboarding: background check → training assignment (varies by role) → calendar invites → badge printing → ongoing communication
Solution with Make
Built workflow with 18 modules, 6 routers for role-based routing, iterators for batch calendar creation. Visual canvas made complex logic easy to troubleshoot. Cost: $16/month (Pro plan).
Result & ROI
Onboarding time reduced from 45 min to 5 min per volunteer. 20 hours/month saved (30 volunteers × 40 min saved). Annual savings: $6,000. Make cost: $192/year. Net gain: $5,808/year
Why Make: Unlimited routers handled role-based logic (medical volunteers → HIPAA training; youth mentors → child safety training). Visual canvas made complex workflow maintainable. High volume (25,000 ops/month) would cost $500+/month on Zapier.
Learning Curve & Implementation Timeline
Zapier Implementation Timeline
Beginner-friendly with minimal training
First 15 Minutes
Sign up, connect 2 apps, create first simple "Zap" (e.g., Gmail → Google Sheets). Guided prompts walk you through each step. No documentation needed.
First Hour
Create 3-5 working automations for common tasks (donation confirmations, form submissions, calendar syncs). Explore Zapier Copilot for AI-suggested workflows.
First Day
Understand triggers, actions, filters, and paths. Create multi-step Zaps with conditional logic. Most users feel confident deploying automations for daily workflows.
First Week
Master error handling, troubleshooting, and optimization. Comfortable building automations for any workflow. Can train other team members.
Difficulty Rating: Beginner (5/5 ease of use)
Best For: Teams with no technical background, rapid deployment needs, minimal IT support
Make Implementation Timeline
More powerful but steeper learning curve
First 30 Minutes
Sign up, watch 10-minute intro video, understand visual canvas interface. Create first simple scenario (trigger + 1-2 actions). May feel overwhelming initially.
First 2-3 Hours
Learn modules, routers (branching), and iterators (loops). Build 2-3 working scenarios. Start to appreciate visual canvas for understanding workflow logic. Refer to documentation frequently.
First Week
Comfortable with drag-and-drop workflow building. Understand data mapping, filters, and aggregators. Can build moderately complex scenarios with 5-10 modules.
First 2-3 Weeks
Master advanced features (error routing, custom API calls, advanced data transformation). Visual canvas becomes powerful tool for troubleshooting. Can optimize scenarios for cost efficiency.
Difficulty Rating: Intermediate (3/5 ease of use)
Best For: Teams with tech-savvy staff or volunteers, complex workflows, high-volume automation, cost optimization
Support Resources & Community
Zapier Resources
- Zapier Learn: Comprehensive tutorials, courses, and guides for all skill levels
- Community Forum: Active community with 100,000+ members, quick responses
- AI Copilot: Built-in AI assistant suggests workflows and troubleshoots errors
- Customer Support: Email support (free tier), priority support (paid tiers)
- Template Library: 10,000+ pre-built Zap templates for common workflows
Make Resources
- Make Academy: Video courses, certifications, and hands-on tutorials
- Community Forum: Growing community, helpful for advanced technical questions
- Documentation: Detailed technical docs, API reference, app-specific guides
- Customer Support: Email support (all tiers), faster response on paid plans
- Template Library: 1,000+ pre-built scenario templates across categories
Integration Ecosystem & Workflow Automation
Integration Comparison
| Category | Zapier | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Total Integrations | 8,000+ apps | 3,000+ apps |
| CRM Platforms | Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Pipedrive, 100+ others | Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Monday.com, 50+ others |
| Fundraising Tools | Donorbox, Classy, Network for Good, Givebutter, 40+ others | PayPal, Stripe, payment processors (fewer nonprofit-specific tools) |
| Email Marketing | Mailchimp, Constant Contact, ActiveCampaign, ConvertKit, 50+ others | Mailchimp, SendGrid, Gmail, Outlook, 30+ others |
| Productivity | Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, Asana, Notion, 200+ others | Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, Trello, Airtable, 150+ others |
| Payment Processing | Stripe, PayPal, Square, Authorize.net, 40+ others | Stripe, PayPal, Square, Braintree, 25+ others |
| Social Media | Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, 30+ others | Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, 20+ others |
| Custom API Support | Webhooks, API requests (requires coding knowledge) | HTTP Request nodes (visual interface, no code required) |
Common Nonprofit Workflow Examples
Donor Management Workflow
Workflow Steps:
- New donation received (Stripe, Donorbox, or website form)
- Add donor to CRM (Salesforce, Bloomerang, or Airtable)
- Send personalized thank-you email (Gmail or Mailchimp)
- Update donor segment tags for future campaigns
- Log donation in accounting system (QuickBooks)
- Notify team in Slack channel
Zapier:
6 steps = 6 tasks per donation. Easy setup with step-by-step prompts. Templates available.
Make:
6 modules = 6 operations per donation. Visual canvas shows entire workflow. Can add conditional logic based on donation amount.
Event Registration Workflow
Workflow Steps:
- Registration form submitted (Typeform or Google Forms)
- Add registrant to event database (Airtable or Google Sheets)
- Send confirmation email with event details
- Add event to registrant's Google Calendar
- Send reminder emails (24 hours before, 1 hour before)
- Post-event: Send thank-you and feedback survey
Zapier:
Multiple Zaps needed (registration, reminders, follow-up). Can use Zapier's delay and schedule features. Simple to set up.
Make:
Single scenario with scheduling modules. Visual timeline shows when each action fires. Can handle complex scenarios (VIP attendees get different emails).
Content Distribution Workflow
Workflow Steps:
- New blog post published (WordPress)
- Extract title, excerpt, and featured image
- Post to Facebook Page with custom message
- Tweet with hashtags and link
- Share on LinkedIn Company Page
- Add to email newsletter queue (Mailchimp)
- Update content calendar (Airtable)
Zapier:
Multi-path Zap or multiple Zaps. 7 tasks per blog post. Fast setup. Native integrations for all major platforms.
Make:
Single scenario with routers for each platform. 7 operations per post. Can customize messages per platform using templates and data mapping.
Volunteer Coordination Workflow
Workflow Steps:
- Volunteer signs up for shift (SignUpGenius or Google Forms)
- Add to volunteer database with role and shift details
- Send welcome email with instructions and training links
- Add shift to volunteer's calendar (Google Calendar)
- Send reminder 48 hours before shift
- Post-shift: Send thank-you and request feedback
- Update volunteer hours in tracking system
Zapier:
Multiple Zaps with delays and schedules. Straightforward for simple scenarios. May require Pro plan for multi-step workflows.
Make:
Comprehensive scenario with time-based triggers. Can handle complex logic (different instructions per role). Lower cost for high volunteer volume.
Integration Setup Complexity
Zapier Integration Setup
Authentication handled automatically with OAuth for most apps. Click "Connect Account," log in, authorize, and you're ready. Takes 30-60 seconds per app.
- Pre-built triggers and actions for each app (no API knowledge required)
- Field mapping suggestions (Zapier auto-detects compatible fields)
- Testing built into setup flow (test each step before activating)
Make Integration Setup
Similar OAuth authentication for most apps. Slightly more manual field mapping required, but visual interface shows data structure clearly.
- More granular control over API calls (84 Xero actions vs Zapier's 25)
- HTTP Request nodes for any API (build custom integrations visually)
- Data transformation tools (aggregators, text parsers, JSON processors)
Data Privacy, Security & Compliance
Zapier Security
Encryption & Data Protection
- • TLS 1.2+ encryption in transit
- • AES-256 encryption at rest
- • Data stored in secure AWS data centers (US and EU regions)
- • Automatic data deletion options (30-90 days)
Compliance Certifications
- • SOC 2 Type II certified
- • GDPR compliant (EU data residency available)
- • CCPA compliant
- • ISO 27001 certified
- • HIPAA-compliant workflows (Enterprise tier)
Access Controls
- • Two-factor authentication (2FA) required for Enterprise
- • SSO support (SAML, Okta, Google, Microsoft)
- • Role-based access control (RBAC) for teams
- • Audit logs (Enterprise tier)
Make Security
Encryption & Data Protection
- • TLS 1.2+ encryption in transit
- • AES-256 encryption at rest
- • Data stored in secure AWS and Google Cloud data centers
- • Configurable data retention policies
Compliance Certifications
- • SOC 2 Type II certified
- • GDPR compliant (EU data residency available)
- • CCPA compliant
- • ISO 27001 certified
- • Privacy Shield certified (for EU-US data transfers)
Access Controls
- • Two-factor authentication (2FA) available on all paid plans
- • SSO support (Teams and Enterprise tiers)
- • Team permissions and roles (Teams tier and above)
- • Activity logs for scenario execution tracking
Data Handling for Sensitive Information
What Data is Stored?
Both platforms temporarily store data that flows through your workflows for debugging and error handling. Understanding what's stored and for how long is critical for nonprofits handling sensitive donor or client information.
Zapier:
- • Task history stored for 7-90 days (depending on plan)
- • Can configure automatic data deletion after workflows complete
- • API credentials encrypted and never exposed in task history
- • PII filtering available (Enterprise tier)
Make:
- • Execution history retained for 30 days (default)
- • Can configure data retention policies (Pro tier and above)
- • API keys and tokens encrypted at rest
- • Option to disable data storage for sensitive workflows
Nonprofit-Specific Considerations
- Donor Data: Both platforms are suitable for donor names, emails, and donation amounts. Consider data retention policies for sensitive financial information.
- Health Information (HIPAA): Zapier offers HIPAA-compliant workflows on Enterprise tier. Make does not currently offer HIPAA compliance. If you handle protected health information, Zapier Enterprise is the safer choice.
- Child Safety Data: For youth-serving nonprofits, both platforms are suitable but implement data retention limits (30-60 days recommended).
- International Data Transfers: Both offer EU data residency options for GDPR compliance. Select EU region when setting up accounts if serving EU constituents.
Security Recommendation:
For most nonprofits, both platforms offer sufficient security for donor management, event coordination, and internal operations. If you handle protected health information (medical clinics, mental health services), choose Zapier Enterprise with HIPAA compliance. For all other use cases, both platforms meet nonprofit security standards.
Pros & Cons for Nonprofits
Zapier
Pros
- Easiest to learn: Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve. Non-technical staff can build automations in minutes without training.
- 8,000+ integrations: Connects to virtually every app nonprofits use, including niche fundraising and volunteer management tools.
- AI Copilot assistance: AI suggests workflows, troubleshoots errors, and helps optimize automations without technical expertise.
- 15% nonprofit discount: Reduces costs from $19.99/month to $16.99/month, making it more accessible for small organizations.
- Excellent documentation: Comprehensive tutorials, video courses, and active community forum with 100,000+ members.
- HIPAA compliance: Enterprise tier offers HIPAA-compliant workflows for health-related nonprofits (medical clinics, mental health services).
Cons
- Expensive at scale: Cost per operation is 30x higher than Make. High-volume nonprofits (10,000+ tasks/month) pay $1,000+/year vs $100-200 with Make.
- Limited free tier: 100 tasks/month is insufficient for most nonprofits. Most will need paid plan immediately ($16.99-58.65/month with discount).
- Fewer actions per app: Each integration typically offers 20-30 actions. Make provides 2-3x more granular control (e.g., 25 Xero actions vs Make's 84).
- Less powerful for complex workflows: Paths and loops are newer features. Make's routers and iterators offer more flexibility for sophisticated automation logic.
- Linear workflow view: Step-by-step interface makes complex multi-branch workflows harder to visualize and troubleshoot compared to Make's canvas.
- Task counting complexity: Every action counts as a task, making it easy to exceed limits. A simple workflow with 5 steps = 5 tasks per trigger.
Make
Pros
- 30x more cost-efficient: $0.0009 per operation vs Zapier's $0.027. High-volume nonprofits save $1,000-5,000+/year.
- Generous free tier: 1,000 operations/month (10x Zapier's 100 tasks) covers needs for many small nonprofits entirely for $0.
- Visual workflow canvas: See entire automation at a glance. Makes complex multi-step workflows easier to understand, troubleshoot, and optimize.
- Unlimited branching & routing: Routers allow unlimited parallel paths. Iterators handle arrays/batches. More powerful for sophisticated automation logic.
- Deeper app integrations: 2-3x more actions per app (84 Xero actions vs Zapier's 25). More granular control over API calls.
- Custom API connections: HTTP Request nodes allow connecting to any API without waiting for official integration. Build custom workflows with visual interface.
Cons
- Steeper learning curve: Visual canvas requires 2-3 hours to understand routers, iterators, and modules. Not ideal for completely non-technical teams.
- Fewer integrations: 3,000+ apps vs Zapier's 8,000+. May lack niche nonprofit-specific tools (fewer fundraising platform integrations).
- No nonprofit discount: While already affordable, lack of formal nonprofit pricing means Zapier's 15% discount narrows the gap slightly at entry level.
- No HIPAA compliance: Not suitable for health-related nonprofits handling protected health information. Zapier Enterprise required for HIPAA workflows.
- Smaller community: Growing but less established than Zapier's 100,000+ member community. Fewer pre-built templates and tutorials available.
- Less AI assistance: No equivalent to Zapier Copilot for guided workflow building. AI Agents are powerful but require more technical understanding to implement.
Migration & Switching Considerations
Switching Between Zapier and Make
If you're considering switching from one platform to the other, here's what to expect.
Migrating from Zapier to Make
Why Switch?
Cost savings (30x cheaper per operation), need for complex workflow logic, high operation volumes exceeding Zapier's pricing tiers.
Migration Process:
- Audit existing Zaps: Document triggers, actions, filters, and paths
- Learn Make basics (2-3 hours): Visual canvas, routers, modules
- Rebuild workflows in Make (1-2 hours per Zap initially)
- Run parallel testing (1 week): Keep both active, compare outputs
- Deactivate Zapier, migrate fully to Make
Estimated Timeline:
2-4 weeks for organizations with 10-20 Zaps. 1-2 months for 50+ workflows.
Challenges:
Learning curve, no automated migration tool, potential app integration gaps (Make has fewer apps).
Migrating from Make to Zapier
Why Switch?
Need for HIPAA compliance (Enterprise), team lacks technical capacity for Make's visual canvas, need app integrations Make doesn't support.
Migration Process:
- Export scenario documentation (screenshot workflows, document logic)
- Simplify complex scenarios: Break multi-router workflows into multiple Zaps
- Rebuild in Zapier's linear interface (faster due to simplicity)
- Test Zaps with AI Copilot assistance
- Migrate data connections and deactivate Make scenarios
Estimated Timeline:
1-2 weeks for 10-20 scenarios. Zapier's simplicity speeds up migration.
Challenges:
Higher costs (prepare budget for 30x price increase), complex scenarios may need simplification (loss of advanced logic).
Migration from Manual Processes or Spreadsheets
Most nonprofits aren't switching between platforms—they're migrating from manual processes, spreadsheets, or email-based workflows. Here's what to expect:
Starting with Zapier
- Week 1: Automate 1-2 simple workflows (donation thank-yous, form submissions)
- Week 2-3: Add 3-5 more workflows, train team members
- Month 2: Optimize existing Zaps, add conditional logic and multi-step workflows
- Month 3: Audit time savings, calculate ROI, expand to department-wide automation
Starting with Make
- Week 1: Learn Make basics (2-3 hours), build 1 simple scenario
- Week 2-4: Build 3-5 scenarios, experiment with routers and iterators
- Month 2: Deploy complex workflows, optimize for cost efficiency
- Month 3: Train additional team members (easier now that workflows exist), expand automation
Key Insight:
Both platforms deliver significant time savings within the first month. Zapier gets you results faster (days vs weeks), but Make's learning investment pays off with long-term cost savings. For most nonprofits starting from scratch, choose based on team capacity: if you have zero technical staff, start with Zapier; if you have a tech-savvy volunteer or staff member, Make's cost savings justify the learning curve.
Vendor Lock-In Assessment
Neither Zapier nor Make creates significant vendor lock-in. Your workflows are configurations, not custom code. Switching platforms requires rebuilding automations but doesn't require data migration or code rewrites.
Zapier Lock-In Risk: Low
Linear Zaps are straightforward to document and rebuild elsewhere. Your data stays in your source apps (CRM, email, etc.). Switching mainly requires time investment, not data migration.
Make Lock-In Risk: Low-Medium
Complex scenarios with custom API calls and advanced logic may be harder to replicate. Visual canvas workflows are portable as concepts but require rebuild. Slightly higher switching friction.
Recommendation: Document your workflows (screenshots, descriptions) quarterly. This "automation inventory" makes switching easier if needed and serves as training documentation for new staff.
Customer Support & Community Resources
Support Comparison
| Support Channel | Zapier | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Email Support | All plans (Free tier gets community support; paid plans get direct email) | All paid plans (Free tier: community only) |
| Live Chat | Team and Enterprise plans | Pro, Teams, and Enterprise plans |
| Phone Support | Enterprise plans only | Enterprise plans only |
| Response Time (Email) | 24-48 hours (paid plans); 3-5 days (free tier) | 24-48 hours (paid plans); Community forum (free tier) |
| Priority Support | Team plan and above (4-8 hour response) | Teams plan and above (8-12 hour response) |
| Dedicated Account Manager | Enterprise plans (custom pricing) | Enterprise plans (custom pricing) |
| Community Forum | 100,000+ members, very active | Growing community, helpful for technical questions |
Zapier Self-Service Resources
Zapier Learn
Comprehensive learning hub with tutorials, courses, and certification programs for all skill levels
Help Documentation
Searchable knowledge base with 5,000+ articles covering every feature, app integration, and troubleshooting scenario
Template Library
10,000+ pre-built Zap templates for common workflows. Search by app, use case, or industry
AI Copilot
Built-in AI assistant suggests workflows, troubleshoots errors in plain English, and offers optimization tips
Video Tutorials
YouTube channel with 500+ tutorial videos covering beginner to advanced automation strategies
Community Forum
100,000+ active members. Search existing threads or post questions. Average response time: 1-4 hours
Make Self-Service Resources
Make Academy
Video courses and certifications covering fundamentals to advanced automation techniques
Documentation Portal
Technical documentation with detailed API reference, app-specific guides, and function explanations
Template Library
1,000+ pre-built scenario templates across categories. Browse by app, use case, or complexity level
Help Center
Searchable knowledge base with guides, tutorials, and troubleshooting articles for all features
Video Library
YouTube channel with tutorials, webinars, and use case examples for visual learners
Community Forum
Growing community helpful for advanced technical questions. Average response time: 4-12 hours
Nonprofit-Specific Support
Zapier for Nonprofits
- Dedicated nonprofit landing page with use cases, templates, and success stories
- 15% nonprofit discount application process documented
- Pre-built Zaps for common nonprofit workflows (donor management, volunteer coordination)
- Nonprofit community forum threads with sector-specific advice
Make for Nonprofits
- General business templates adaptable for nonprofit use
- Community members share nonprofit-specific scenarios
- No formal nonprofit program but affordable pricing benefits all small organizations
- TechSoup forum discussions recommend Make for budget-conscious nonprofits
Accessibility & Multilingual Support
Zapier Accessibility
WCAG Compliance
Zapier aims for WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance. The platform is generally navigable with keyboard shortcuts and screen readers, though some complex features may have limitations.
Screen Reader Support
Compatible with JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver. Linear step-by-step interface is easier for screen reader users compared to visual canvas tools.
Keyboard Navigation
Full keyboard shortcuts available. Can create and edit Zaps without mouse/trackpad.
Multilingual Support
Interface available in English only. However, workflows can process data in any language and integrate with multilingual apps.
Make Accessibility
WCAG Compliance
Make works toward WCAG 2.1 compliance. Visual canvas interface presents accessibility challenges for screen reader users due to drag-and-drop interactions.
Screen Reader Support
Limited screen reader optimization. Visual canvas interface is designed for sighted users. May require sighted assistance for complex scenario building.
Keyboard Navigation
Keyboard shortcuts available but visual canvas primarily designed for mouse/trackpad interaction.
Multilingual Support
Interface available in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, and more. Workflows can process any language.
Nonprofit Accessibility Considerations
For nonprofits serving communities with disabilities or operating in multilingual contexts, accessibility features matter. Here's what to consider:
Zapier Accessibility Advantages
- Linear interface easier for screen reader users
- Better keyboard navigation support
- Recommended for nonprofits with visually impaired staff managing automation
Make Multilingual Advantages
- Interface available in 8+ languages (Spanish, French, German, etc.)
- Better for international nonprofits with multilingual teams
- Documentation available in multiple languages
Recommendation:
If your nonprofit has staff members who rely on screen readers or keyboard-only navigation, Zapier is the more accessible choice. If your organization operates in non-English-speaking regions or serves multilingual communities, Make's interface translations may be valuable—but ensure team members are comfortable with its visual canvas approach.
Performance, Reliability & Uptime
Zapier Performance
Uptime & Reliability
- • 99.9% historical uptime
- • Status page: status.zapier.com
- • Email alerts for service disruptions
- • Enterprise SLA: 99.95% uptime guarantee
Execution Speed
- • Free tier: 15-minute polling interval
- • Professional: 5-minute polling
- • Team+: 1-2 minute polling
- • Instant triggers available for premium apps (webhooks)
Task Processing
Tasks typically process within seconds once triggered. Complex multi-step Zaps may take 10-30 seconds. Automatic retry on temporary failures (up to 3 attempts over 1 hour).
Make Performance
Uptime & Reliability
- • 99.9% historical uptime
- • Status page: status.make.com
- • Email notifications for incidents
- • Enterprise SLA: 99.95% uptime guarantee
Execution Speed
- • Free tier: 15-minute scheduling
- • Core: 5-minute scheduling
- • Pro: 1-minute scheduling with priority execution
- • Instant triggers via webhooks (all tiers)
Scenario Processing
Scenarios execute within seconds. Complex scenarios with multiple routers may take 15-45 seconds. Pro tier offers priority execution queue. Automatic error retry with configurable attempts.
Impact on Nonprofit Operations
Both platforms offer enterprise-grade reliability suitable for mission-critical nonprofit workflows. Here's how performance translates to real-world impact:
Time-Sensitive Scenarios
Example: Donor thank-you emails after online donations
- Zapier: Instant triggers via Stripe/PayPal webhooks → email sent within 5-10 seconds (Professional plan+)
- Make: Instant webhooks on all tiers → email sent within 5-10 seconds (any paid plan)
Both platforms deliver instant donor acknowledgment when configured with webhooks.
Batch Processing Scenarios
Example: Daily volunteer shift reminder emails
- Zapier: Scheduled daily checks → processes 50 volunteers in 2-5 minutes (depending on email service)
- Make: Scheduled scenarios with iterators → processes 50 volunteers in 1-3 minutes (slightly faster batch handling)
Make's iterators provide slight edge for bulk operations, but difference is minimal for most nonprofits.
Reliability During Critical Campaigns
Both platforms have proven reliable during high-volume events (year-end giving campaigns, disaster relief drives). Enterprise tiers offer SLA guarantees (99.95% uptime) with financial credits for downtime. For annual fundraising campaigns processing 1,000+ donations, both platforms handle load without degradation.
Performance Verdict:
No meaningful difference for most nonprofit use cases. Both offer 99.9% uptime, instant triggers, and sub-minute execution. Make provides priority execution on Pro tier ($16/month) vs Zapier's Team tier ($58.65/month with nonprofit discount)—better value for performance-sensitive workflows.
Final Recommendation & Decision Framework
The Bottom Line
Zapier wins on ease of use. If your team has zero technical capacity and you need automation working today, Zapier's intuitive interface and AI Copilot get you results immediately.
Make wins on cost efficiency. If you have a tech-savvy volunteer or staff member who can invest 2-3 hours learning, Make's 30x cost savings (plus 10x more generous free tier) deliver dramatically better value.
Both deliver exceptional ROI. Either platform saves nonprofit staff 5-20 hours/week through automation, translating to $6,500-26,000/year in staff time reclaimed for mission work. The platform cost difference ($100-1,000/year) is real but small compared to overall time savings.
5-Question Decision Framework
Answer these five questions to determine which platform fits your nonprofit:
1. What is your team's technical capacity?
No staff or volunteers with technical skills, everyone prefers simple tools → Choose Zapier
One tech-savvy person who can learn new tools with 2-4 hours investment → Choose Make (they can build workflows for the team)
Multiple staff comfortable with technical tools, willing to optimize for cost → Choose Make
2. What's your monthly automation volume?
Small organization, 3-5 workflows → Either platform (both free tiers may suffice; Zapier easier to start)
Moderate automation needs → Make saves $100-200/year while offering same functionality
High-volume workflows → Make saves $1,000-5,000/year, making learning investment worthwhile
3. How complex are your workflows?
2-4 step workflows (donation → thank you email → CRM) → Choose Zapier for fastest setup
5-8 steps with some conditional logic → Either platform works (Zapier easier; Make more cost-efficient)
Multi-branch workflows with 10+ steps, advanced error handling → Choose Make for unlimited routers and visual debugging
4. Do you need apps Zapier has but Make doesn't?
List your must-have apps. Search Zapier's 8,000+ integrations and Make's 3,000+ integrations
Your critical apps are Zapier-exclusive → Choose Zapier (no workaround)
Both platforms support your apps → Either platform (decision based on other factors)
5. What's your annual automation budget?
Tight budget → Choose Make (free tier covers 1,000 ops; Core plan = $108/year)
Moderate budget → Either platform (Zapier Pro $204/year; Make Core/Pro $108-192/year)
Comfortable budget → Choose Zapier if ease of use is priority; Choose Make to maximize savings for mission work
Next Steps: Testing Plan
Both platforms offer free tiers and risk-free trial periods. Here's a two-week evaluation plan:
Week 1: Parallel Testing
- Sign up for both Zapier (free tier) and Make (free tier)
- Build the same simple workflow in both (e.g., donation → thank-you email)
- Test with 10 real transactions, compare speed and reliability
- Rate ease of setup (1-10) and ask: "Could a non-technical colleague replicate this?"
Week 2: Complex Workflow Test
- Identify your most complex workflow need (e.g., event registration with reminders and follow-up)
- Build in your preferred platform (or both if still undecided)
- Test error handling: What happens if an email service fails? Does it retry?
- Calculate projected monthly operation count based on Week 1-2 testing
- Compare costs: Zapier paid tier vs Make paid tier for your volume
Decision Criteria (End of Week 2):
- If you struggled with Make's interface and have no tech support → Choose Zapier
- If Make's learning curve was manageable and you're budget-conscious → Choose Make
- If both felt comfortable → Choose based on cost (Make saves $100-1,000+/year)
Still Unsure?
Book a free consultation and we'll help you evaluate which automation platform best fits your nonprofit's needs, budget, and technical capacity.