Make vs Pipedream

Make's drag-and-drop builder gets non-developers automating from 9 USD a month. Pipedream treats every step as code for developers, from 29 USD.

Visit Visit

The verdict Side by side Plans and pricing Who each is for Other options

The verdict

For most lean B2B founders, Make is the one to start with. It's cheaper at the floor (9 USD vs 29 USD), its drag-and-drop builder is genuinely usable by non-developers, and the optional code and AI steps mean you rarely hit a ceiling early. You get to automation that earns its keep faster, with less specialist help.

Pipedream earns its place when code is the point. If your team writes Node or Python comfortably and your workflows lean on custom logic, bespoke API calls, and version-controlled steps, Pipedream's developer-first design stops fighting you. You're paying more for a platform that treats code as a first-class citizen rather than an escape hatch.

There's no wrong answer here, only a wrong fit. Match the tool to the hands that will build in it.

What the data says

Both cover 4 of the 6 features we compared.
Both have a free plan, so you can try each before you pay.
Make starts lower, at $9/mo against $99/mo.
Both have an API and an MCP server, so either works with AI employees.
In our Automation ranking, Make places 3 and Pipedream 6 of 11.

Side by side

Make and Pipedream compared
10 points compared	Make	Pipedream
Starts at	$9/mo	$99/mo
Free plan	Yes	Yes
API	Yes	Yes
MCP server	Yes	Yes
AI / LLM nodes	Yes	Yes
Custom code steps	Yes	Yes
Integrations & API	Yes	Yes
Open source	No	No
Self-hosting	No	No
Visual builder	Yes	Yes
Links	Visit	Visit

Plans and pricing

Make

FreeFree with no time limit and up to 1,000 credits a month.Free
Core10,000 credits a month with unlimited active scenarios; annual billing saves 15 percent or more.$9/mo
Pro10,000 credits a month with custom variables and priority execution; annual billing saves 15 percent or more.$16/mo
Teams10,000 credits a month with team management and template sharing; annual billing saves 15 percent or more.$29/mo

Pipedream

FreeFull access in development with no credit card; production use needs the Startup plan.Free
StartupRun in production: 100 external users and 10,000 usage credits included, then $2 per user and $0.012 per credit. Annual is $99 per month.$150/mo

Prices as the vendors list them. They change often; the final price is on their sites.

Who each is for

Choose Make if…

Pick Make if you're a founder or operations person who wants automations live this week without hiring a developer. The 9 USD/mo Core tier and a 1,000-credit free tier let you prove value before you spend, the visual builder is the most approachable of the two, and you can still reach for custom-code and AI steps when a workflow outgrows the no-code path. It's the safe default for a lean B2B team automating cross-app processes (CRM, sheets, Slack, e-commerce) where the goal is shipping work, not writing software.

Visit Read the review

Choose Pipedream if…

Pick Pipedream if your team is technical and your automations are code-heavy by nature. When most steps involve custom logic, bespoke API requests, or transformations you'd rather express in Node or Python than in a UI, Pipedream's developer-first model is the better tool, with managed auth on 3,000+ connectors so you're not hand-rolling OAuth. The 29 USD/mo floor and credit-based pricing are worth it when code is the centre of gravity rather than the exception.

Visit Read the review

Other options worth a look

Tool
n8n
Connects apps and APIs through a visual node-based workflow editor with code-level flexibility.
Automation
From €20/mo yearlyFree planAffiliate link
Sign up on n8n
Tool
GitHub
Hosts code and runs automated builds, tests and deployments directly through GitHub Actions.
Automation
From $4/moFree plan
Sign up on GitHub
Tool
Zapier
Connects web applications and automates workflows using event triggers and actions without writing code.
Automation
From $19.99/moFree plan
Sign up on Zapier
Tool
Fillout
No-code platform for building branded forms, surveys, and quizzes without requiring any coding skills.
Automation
From $15/mo yearlyFree plan
Sign up on Fillout
Tool
Process Street
Turns recurring processes into checklist workflows with conditional steps, approvals and forms, without writing code.
Automation
Affiliate link
Sign up on Process Street
Tool
airSlate
Automates business workflows and processes to reduce manual tasks and streamline team efficiency across departments.
Automation
Affiliate link
Sign up on airSlate