Automation tools compared
Make vs Power Automate: platform-agnostic versus Microsoft-native
By Jacky Lei · Updated June 10, 2026
Make
Platform-agnostic, transparent pricing, cleaner builder
Power Automate
Microsoft-native, desktop RPA, enterprise governance
Make vs Power Automate, side by side
| Dimension | Make | Power Automate |
|---|---|---|
| Ecosystem fit | Platform-agnostic | Deep Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, Dynamics) |
| App integrations | ~2,000 third-party apps | Strong Microsoft set + premium connectors |
| Ease of use | Cleaner visual canvas | Clunkier, enterprise-oriented |
| Pricing model | Transparent per operation | Per user or per flow + premium connector licensing |
| Desktop RPA | None | Yes (desktop flows) |
| Enterprise governance | Basic | Strong (DLP, Azure AD, compliance) |
| Built-in AI | Via connected AI apps | AI Builder included |
| Best for | SaaS-centric small and mid-sized teams | Microsoft-heavy or enterprise |
Where Make wins
Make wins for businesses that are not Microsoft-first. The visual canvas is cleaner and faster to learn, the per-operation pricing is transparent with no premium-connector maze, and with roughly 2,000 third-party integrations it connects the SaaS tools most small and mid-sized businesses actually run. For a team living in Google Workspace, Slack, Notion, or a mix of niche apps, Make is the lower-friction, lower-cost choice.
- Businesses on Google Workspace or mixed SaaS
- Teams that want transparent, predictable pricing
- Connecting many third-party apps quickly
- Operators who prefer a clean visual builder
Where Power Automate wins
Power Automate wins inside the Microsoft ecosystem. If a business runs on Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, or Dynamics, the native connectors are unmatched and a chunk of the licensing is often already paid for. It also does something Make cannot: desktop flows for robotic process automation, driving legacy desktop apps that have no API. Add enterprise governance and AI Builder, and it is the clear pick for Microsoft-heavy or regulated organizations.
- Businesses running on Microsoft 365 and Teams
- Needing desktop RPA for legacy applications
- Enterprise governance and compliance requirements
- Teams already paying for Microsoft licensing
Pricing
Make
Free tier with 1,000 operations a month. Paid plans start around $9 a month with transparent per-operation pricing.
Power Automate
Some cloud flows are included with Microsoft 365 plans. Premium connectors and standalone use start around $15 per user a month, and unattended desktop RPA costs extra.
Pricing directional, as of early 2026. Always confirm current plans on each vendor's site.
What we actually use, and when
We choose by stack, not by loyalty. If a client lives in Microsoft 365, especially if they need to automate legacy desktop software with RPA, Power Automate is the natural fit and the licensing is often half paid for already. For everyone else, Make is faster to build in, cheaper, and far less painful to license. The deciding question is simple: is Microsoft 365 the center of gravity, or not?
Lean Make
Pick Make if your stack is mostly third-party SaaS and you want transparent pricing and a cleaner builder.
Lean Power Automate
Pick Power Automate if your business runs on Microsoft 365 or you need desktop RPA.
Proof: Capcon Networks: $3.5M+ pipeline from AI-driven outreach
Make vs Power Automate: FAQ
- Is Power Automate free with Microsoft 365?
- Some standard cloud flows are included with many Microsoft 365 plans, but anything using premium connectors, desktop RPA, or higher run volumes needs a paid Power Automate plan on top. The included tier covers simple internal flows, not heavier automation.
- Is Make cheaper than Power Automate?
- For non-Microsoft stacks, usually yes, and the pricing is far easier to predict. Power Automate's per-user and premium-connector licensing adds up quickly once you go beyond the basics, while Make bills transparently per operation.
- Can Make do desktop automation like Power Automate?
- No. Robotic process automation of desktop applications is a genuine Power Automate strength that Make does not match. If you must automate a legacy app with no API, Power Automate is the tool.
- Which is easier to learn?
- Make. Its visual canvas is cleaner and more approachable, while Power Automate's interface is more enterprise-oriented and the connector licensing adds conceptual overhead.
- Should a Microsoft 365 business still consider Make?
- Yes, if most of the apps you automate live outside Microsoft. Many businesses run Power Automate for internal Microsoft flows and Make for third-party SaaS. We sometimes deploy both.