Fair-code workflow automation and AI agent builder, cloud or self-hosted.
Make vs Pipedream
Features, pricing, strengths and trade-offs — and which one fits your situation.
The verdict
Summary
Make is best for visual, multi-branch automations across thousands of SaaS apps at a moderate cost, while Pipedream is best for developers who want code-first workflows and API integrations for AI agents. Make has a medium learning curve, compared with high for Pipedream. Both Make and Pipedream offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which should you choose?
Choose Make if…
- You need visual, multi-branch automations across thousands of SaaS apps at a moderate cost
- You're one of: operations teams, automation agencies, small businesses scaling workflows
- You want something quicker to learn
- Visual canvas makes complex branching logic easy to follow
Choose Pipedream if…
- You need developers who want code-first workflows and API integrations for AI agents
- You're one of: software developers, saas teams embedding integrations, builders of ai agents needing tool access
- Full code flexibility inside each step, including npm and PyPI packages
At a glance
| Make | Pipedream | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Visual, multi-branch automations across thousands of SaaS apps at a moderate cost | Developers who want code-first workflows and API integrations for AI agents |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | From $9/mo | From $29/mo |
| Learning curve | Medium | High |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, API | Web, API |
| Ideal for | Operations teams, Automation agencies, Small businesses scaling workflows, Marketers with multi-step processes | Software developers, SaaS teams embedding integrations, Builders of AI agents needing tool access, Technical ops teams |
Feature comparison
| Make | Pipedream | |
|---|---|---|
| Visual workflow builder | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations, approx. | 3,000+ | 3,000+ |
| AI agents | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosting | No | No |
| Custom code steps | Yes | Yes |
| Webhooks | Yes | Yes |
| Human approval steps | — | Limited |
| Billed per | Credit (per module action) | Credit |
IncludedLimited / higher plansNot available— Not confirmed
Security & enterprise
| Make | Pipedream | |
|---|---|---|
| Business / enterprise plan | Yes | Yes |
| SSO (SAML / OIDC) | Enterprise plan | Business plan |
| SCIM user provisioning | — | — |
| SOC 2 | Type II | Type II |
| ISO 27001 | Yes | — |
| HIPAA (BAA available) | — | Enterprise plan (BAA) |
| GDPR DPA | Yes | — |
| Data residency options | US, EU | — |
| No training on your data | — | — |
| Audit logs | Enterprise plan | — |
| Admin controls | Yes | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
From each vendor's security documentation. "—" = not confirmed. What to ask vendors · Compare all tools
What each tool does
Make
Make is a cloud automation platform where users build scenarios on a visual canvas, connecting modules with routers, filters and iterators. Billing is per credit, with each module action generally counting as one credit and AI or code steps costing more. It is used by operations teams, agencies and small businesses that outgrow simple linear automations.
Key features- Drag-and-drop scenario canvas with routers and iterators
- 3,000+ app integrations
- Make AI Agents available on all plans
- Maia assistant that builds scenarios from chat
- Code app for JavaScript or Python
- Make Grid map of scenarios and dependencies
Pipedream
Pipedream is a developer-oriented integration platform that combines a workflow builder with code steps in Node.js, Python, Go and Bash, plus pre-built actions for thousands of APIs. It also offers Connect, which lets developers embed its integrations and managed auth into their own AI agents and products. Workday agreed to acquire Pipedream in November 2025.
Key features- Workflow builder mixing pre-built actions and code
- Code steps in Node.js, Python, Go and Bash
- 3,000+ app connectors with managed OAuth
- HTTP/webhook, schedule and email triggers
- Connect for embedding integrations and tools in AI agents
- Suspend and resume workflows for approvals
Pricing
Make
Free plan (1,000 credits/mo); Make plan from $9/mo
Pipedream
Free plan (10K invocations/mo); Advanced $29/mo; Business $99/mo
Prices last checked September 2026. Plans change often — confirm on each vendor's site.
Pros and cons
Make
Strengths- Visual canvas makes complex branching logic easy to follow
- Large app library with detailed module options
- Generally cheaper per action than Zapier at similar volumes
- Free plan available for testing
- Free plan limited to two active scenarios and 15-minute intervals
- Data mapping, iterators and aggregators take time to learn
- Cloud only: no self-hosted edition, just an on-prem agent for local network access
- Credit costs for AI and code steps are harder to estimate than plain module actions
Not ideal for: Teams that must keep data on their own servers should look at n8n, and complete beginners may find Zapier quicker to start with.
Pipedream
Strengths- Full code flexibility inside each step, including npm and PyPI packages
- Managed authentication for thousands of APIs
- Free tier available for testing
- Well suited to building integrations into your own product
- Not beginner-friendly for non-developers
- No self-hosted edition
- Long-term product direction may shift following the Workday acquisition
- Approval steps require code rather than a dedicated no-code step
Not ideal for: Non-technical users who want a pure no-code builder should choose Zapier or Make instead.
Integrations
Make
Pipedream
FAQ
What is the main difference between Make and Pipedream?
Make is built for visual, multi-branch automations across thousands of SaaS apps at a moderate cost; Pipedream is built for developers who want code-first workflows and API integrations for AI agents.
Is Make or Pipedream cheaper?
Make starts from $9/mo and Pipedream starts from $29/mo (as of September 2026). On entry price, Make is cheaper — but compare what each plan includes, since limits differ. Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site.
Do Make and Pipedream have free plans?
Both Make and Pipedream offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which is easier to use, Make or Pipedream?
Make is generally quicker to learn (Make: medium, Pipedream: high learning curve).
What are good alternatives to Make and Pipedream?
Other automation tools worth comparing include n8n, Gumloop and Lindy.
