Switch From Zapier to Make: Migration Steps and Gotchas
Switching from Zapier to Make is a rebuild, not a transfer. Audit your Zaps, map each step to Make modules, test in parallel, and cancel Zapier last.
By Galactic News Editorial · Published 2026-11-09T16:27:13+00:00 · Updated 2026-11-09T16:27:13+00:00
Switch From Zapier to Make: Migration Steps and Gotchas
Switching from Zapier to Make is a rebuild, not a transfer. There is no import button that turns Zaps into scenarios. You audit your Zaps, map each one to Make modules, rebuild them on a visual canvas, and test before you cancel Zapier. The payoff is usually a lower bill for multi-step work. The risk is undercounting how Make charges for every module that runs.
Why People Switch From Zapier to Make
The main reason is the billing model. Zapier charges per task. Each successful action step in a Zap counts as one task. Triggers are free. Built-in tools such as Filter, Formatter, Paths, and Delay do not count as tasks. Make charges per credit. Each module that runs uses one credit, including the trigger check. Routers and error handlers are free.
That difference matters for long workflows. A Zap with one trigger and five actions costs five tasks per run on Zapier. The same flow in Make costs about six credits per run, because the trigger check also counts. But Make's entry paid plan includes 10,000 credits a month. Zapier's Professional plan starts at a lower task allowance. So heavy multi-step flows often cost less on Make, while simple one-action Zaps often cost less on Zapier.
The second reason is the builder. Make uses a visual canvas. You drag modules onto the canvas and connect them with lines. You can see branches, filters, and error paths at a glance. Zapier uses a vertical list of steps. Complex logic is easier to read on Make's canvas. The third reason is control. Make has iterators, aggregators, and error handler routes such as Resume, Ignore, and Break. These give you fine control over what happens when one item in a batch fails.
How to Switch From Zapier to Make in 7 Steps
- Audit every Zap. Open Zapier and list all active Zaps. Note the trigger, each action, the apps involved, and how often each Zap runs. Export the list to a spreadsheet. Mark the Zaps you actually need. Most accounts have dead Zaps that can simply be deleted.
- Count your real usage. Check your Zapier task usage for the last three months. Then estimate Make credits. A rough formula is trigger checks per month plus items per month times action modules per item. Remember that a polling trigger costs one credit per check, even when it finds nothing. A scenario that checks every five minutes uses about 8,640 credits a month on checks alone.
- Pick the right Make plan. Make's Free plan costs $0 and includes 1,000 credits a month, with two active scenarios and a 15-minute minimum interval. Core starts at $9 a month on annual billing, or $10.59 billed monthly, for 10,000 credits. Pro starts at $16 a month on annual billing, or $18.82 monthly. Teams starts at $29 a month on annual billing, or $34.12 monthly. All three paid plans start at 10,000 credits. Higher tiers buy features and priority, not more credits by default. Pick the tier that fits your credit estimate, not the cheapest one.
- Map each Zap to Make modules. A Zap trigger becomes a Make trigger module. Each Zap action becomes a Make module. Zapier's built-in tools need Make equivalents. Formatter becomes Make's text tools. Filter becomes a Make filter between modules. Paths become a Make router with branches. Delay becomes a Sleep module or a scheduled run.
- Rebuild one Zap at a time. Start with the simplest Zap. Build the scenario in Make. Run it once with test data. Check the output of every module. Then move to the next Zap. Do not rebuild everything in one sitting. Errors are easier to find when you test each scenario alone.
- Run both tools in parallel. Keep your Zaps active while the Make scenarios run. Compare the results for one to two weeks. Check that records land in the right places. Watch for duplicates. Only turn a Zap off when its Make replacement has run clean for several days.
- Cancel Zapier last. Downgrade or cancel Zapier only after every scenario has run clean in parallel. Zapier's Free plan includes 100 tasks a month. You can drop to Free as a safety net instead of cancelling outright. Keep your Zapier account until you are sure nothing still depends on it.
Zapier vs Make: What Changes in Your Bill
| Zapier | Make | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | $0, 100 tasks a month, two-step Zaps only | $0, 1,000 credits a month, 2 active scenarios |
| Entry paid plan | Professional from $19.99 a month on annual billing | Core from $9 a month on annual billing |
| Billing unit | One task per successful action; triggers free | One credit per module run, including trigger checks |
| Built-in tools | Filter, Formatter, Paths, and Delay are free | Routers and error handlers are free |
| Polling cost | Checking for new data is free | Each scheduled check costs one credit |
| Unused allowance | Tasks reset each month | Credits expire at the end of the term and do not roll over |
Zapier's Professional plan starts at $19.99 a month on annual billing. Its Free plan gives 100 tasks a month. Make's Core plan starts at $9 a month on annual billing for 10,000 credits. The headline prices hide the real math. Count your steps, not just your runs.
Gotchas to Watch For When You Switch From Zapier to Make
- Polling triggers are the silent cost. Zapier never charges to check for new data. Make charges one credit per check. A scenario that polls every minute burns about 43,200 credits a month on checks alone. Use instant webhook triggers where the app supports them.
- Iterators multiply credits. If a trigger returns ten rows, the modules after an iterator run ten times. One run can use dozens of credits. Filter early so only the items you need reach the iterator.
- Credits do not roll over. Unused Make credits expire at the end of the term. Do not buy a bigger credit pack than you will use in the month.
- Scenarios stop when credits run out. Make pauses scenarios when your credits are gone. Set up credit alerts and an auto-purchase rule if your flows are business-critical.
- Some Zapier apps have no Make module. Zapier connects to more than 9,000 apps. Make connects to fewer. Check that every app in your Zaps has a Make module, or a generic HTTP module you can use instead.
- Error handling works differently. Zapier retries failed tasks and notifies you. Make lets you attach error handler routes to any module. You must set these up yourself. A scenario without error handling can fail silently.
- Test with real data, not just samples. Sample data hides edge cases. Empty fields, long text, and special characters break mappings. Test each scenario with real records before you rely on it.
Bottom Line
Switching from Zapier to Make pays off when your workflows have many steps and run often. Make's credit model and visual canvas suit complex automation. It does not pay off for simple two-step Zaps, where Zapier's free trigger checks and task model are cheaper. Audit first, rebuild one Zap at a time, run both tools in parallel, and cancel Zapier last. The migration takes days, not hours, and the parallel run is what keeps it safe.