Zapier, Make, n8n, or custom code? Start with the process.

Zapier, Make, and n8n are all useful. They're also easy to misuse. The right pick depends on what can break, what a failure costs, and who's on the hook to maintain it.

Compare the options Ask about tool choice

The point where tool choice matters

  • The process crosses several tools.
  • A no-code automation is getting hard to debug.
  • You're not sure if this needs a freelancer, a consultant, or a real developer.
  • The process touches customer data, invoices, inventory, or approvals.

How I pick

  1. Zapier for simple, common app-to-app automations.
  2. Make when the process needs branching, formatting, or more control.
  3. n8n when ownership, self-hosting, or complex logic matters.
  4. Custom code when reliability, data rules, or the interface outweigh setup speed.

One question that decides it

If the process can fail quietly and nobody notices, keep it simple. If a failure can cost a customer, a payment, inventory accuracy, or a week of cleanup, treat it like software from day one.

What I weigh

  • Failure cost
  • Maintenance owner
  • Data sensitivity
  • Exception volume

Compare the options

I'll help you figure out whether no-code is enough or this business process needs something sturdier underneath.

Compare Zapier, Make, and n8n