# Zapier, Make and n8n: compare the delivery fit

Compare workflow platforms through a business task, access rules and handover needs.

Updated 2026-10-29. Also on the [web page](https://aiagencies.fyi/guides/automation-platforms-compared).

A platform choice should follow the workflow. Ask an agency to show the same small task in the proposed platform, with the same data and failure cases. Compare operational fit before you compare the appearance of a demo.

## Zapier

Zapier's public website describes app connections and workflow automation. Consider it when your team wants to connect business services and maintain a workflow through a hosted interface. Ask the supplier to identify the exact connectors, authentication method and retry behaviour needed for your task. Confirm plan limits on the vendor site before purchase.

## Make

Make presents a visual workflow automation platform. Ask the agency to explain each branch and what happens when an upstream service fails. Request an export or handover process that your staff can use. Confirm how execution history and credentials are managed in your proposed setup.

## n8n

n8n presents workflow automation with app connections, code and AI steps. Its site also describes hosting choices. Ask who will operate the selected deployment and patch its dependencies. Self-hosting shifts work to the operator; it does not remove the need for access controls, backups or incident response.

## Compare with a shared test

Have the supplier demonstrate a normal input, a missing field, an expired credential and an unsafe request. Check the result, log and alert for each case. Ask how the design prevents duplicate actions when a step is retried.

Keep ownership of business accounts clear. Record which workflows depend on paid features. Recheck current licence and service terms before signing. We fetched the vendor pages on 2026-10-29. This comparison does not assert a current price or certify any platform for your use.

## Sources

- [Zapier, product website](https://zapier.com/). Public page fetched 2026-10-29.
- [Make, product website](https://www.make.com/). Public page fetched 2026-10-29.
- [n8n, product website](https://n8n.io/). Public page fetched 2026-10-29.
- [NCSC, Guidelines for secure AI system development](https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/guidelines-secure-ai-system-development). Public page fetched 2026-10-29.

## Questions

### Is this a supplier recommendation?

No. Use this guide to prepare a brief and check the supplier evidence yourself.