Make vs Power Automate in 2026: Visual Flexibility vs Microsoft Ecosystem

Make vs Power Automate: Key Differences

Make (formerly Integromat) and Microsoft Power Automate represent two distinct approaches to workflow automation. Make is an independent, cross-platform visual automation builder with 2,000+ app integrations and a drag-and-drop scenario designer. Power Automate is Microsoft's native automation platform, tightly integrated with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem and offering both cloud flows and desktop-based RPA capabilities.

The decision between them typically comes down to infrastructure: teams running on Microsoft 365 often get Power Automate included in their existing licenses, while cross-platform teams benefit from Make's broader integration library and more intuitive visual builder.

Feature Comparison (as of March 2026)

When to Choose Make

Make is the stronger option for teams that work across multiple platforms and need a visual, intuitive workflow builder. The scenario canvas displays data flow between modules, making it straightforward to understand how information moves through each step. Make handles complex conditional logic, iterators, and data transformation within a single visual interface.

Make's pricing model is operations-based, not user-based. A small team of 10 people sharing the same Make account pays the same as a single user, which makes it cost-effective for organizations where multiple team members need automation access. The $9/month billed annually Core plan includes 10,000 operations, and most mid-market companies stay within the $29/month Pro tier.

Cross-platform scenarios are where Make excels. Connecting Shopify to Google Sheets to Slack to a CRM involves selecting modules and mapping fields visually. Make supports HTTP/webhook modules for connecting to any REST API, which extends its reach beyond the 2,000+ pre-built integrations.

When to Choose Power Automate

Power Automate is the default choice for organizations that run on Microsoft 365. Cloud flows are included with E3 and E5 licenses, meaning there is no additional cost for basic automation. The platform offers deep integration with SharePoint, Teams, Outlook, Dynamics 365, and Azure services that no third-party tool can replicate.

Power Automate Desktop provides RPA capabilities -- automating legacy desktop applications, scraping data from Windows applications, and interacting with systems that lack APIs. This is a capability Make does not offer. Organizations with legacy systems that require desktop interaction can use Power Automate as both a cloud automation and RPA tool.

Microsoft's AI Builder and Copilot integration allow Power Automate to process documents, extract data from forms, classify text, and generate predictions within flows. These AI features are native to the platform and do not require third-party AI integrations.

Editor's Note: We ran both platforms in parallel for a retail client's order processing. Make handled the multi-app orchestration (Shopify, Google Sheets, Slack) in fewer steps, but Power Automate's SharePoint and Teams integration required zero configuration. Monthly cost: Make at $29/mo vs. Power Automate included in their existing E3 license.

Bottom Line

Make is the better choice for cross-platform teams that need visual workflow design, broad integration coverage, and operations-based pricing. Power Automate is the better choice for Microsoft-centric organizations that want to maximize their existing licensing investment and need desktop RPA capabilities. The decision is primarily about ecosystem alignment rather than feature superiority.