Activepieces vs Make: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Activepieces and Make comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Make wins this matchup. NinjaOne is our overall Automation pick. Calendly is our free Automation pick. Pick Activepieces if you need automation.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Activepieces
Open-source automation with visual builder and self-hosting
Best for you if:
- • You want open source
- • You want self-hostable
Make
Build complex automations with a drag-and-drop visual builder
Best for you if:
- • You want visual builder
- • You want more powerful than Zapier
| At a Glance | Activepieces | Make |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Automation | Workflow Automation |
Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.0/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Activepieces or Make?
Choose Activepieces if
Open-source automation with visual builder and self-hosting
- You want open source
- You want self-hostable
- Budget matters (Free vs Free)
- Your work is automation-shaped, not workflow automation-shaped
Choose Make if
Build complex automations with a drag-and-drop visual builder
- You want visual builder
- You want more powerful than Zapier
- Your work is workflow automation-shaped, not automation-shaped
| Feature | Activepieces | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 273 reviews | ★4.0/5 18 reviews |
| Categories | AutomationWorkflow Automation | Workflow AutomationNo-Code |
In-Depth Analysis
Activepieces
Open-source automation with visual builder and self-hosting
Activepieces offers a very generous Free tier for self-hosting, making it highly accessible.
Strengths
- +Open source
- +Self-hostable
- +Growing fast
Weaknesses
- -Fewer integrations than Zapier
Key features
Make
Build complex automations with a drag-and-drop visual builder
Make is the best value in workflow automation for most teams.
Watch out
Every module counts as 1 credit -- triggers, filters, routers, and actions all consume credits (only error handlers and Router modules are free)
Strengths
- +Visual builder
- +More powerful than Zapier
- +Better value
Weaknesses
- -Steeper learning curve
- -Complex for simple tasks
Key features
Pricing: Activepieces vs Make
| Plan | Activepieces | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $10 month Pro | $10.59 Core |
| Tier 3 | $500 month Platform | $18.82 Pro |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $29 Teams |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Activepieces pricing and Make pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Activepieces
Want the highest-rated option?
Activepieces: 4.6/5 (273 reviews). Make: 4.0/5 (18 reviews).
Go with: Activepieces
Value user reviews?
Activepieces: 273 reviews (4.6/5). Make: 18 reviews (4.0/5).
Go with: Activepieces
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Activepieces is a automation tool. Make is in workflow automation. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Activepieces is rated higher: 4.6/5 vs 4.0/5.
Key Takeaways
Make
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Activepieces
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.0/5
- Larger review base (273 reviews)
- Better fit for automation
The Bottom Line
Make wins this matchup. NinjaOne is our overall Automation pick. Calendly is our free Automation pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Activepieces or Make better?
Make is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Activepieces and Make used for?
Activepieces: Open-source automation with visual builder and self-hosting. Make: Build complex automations with a drag-and-drop visual builder.
What does Activepieces cost vs Make?
Activepieces is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Make is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.