Make.com Review (2026)
A hands-on verdict on Make.com — the visual automation platform formerly known as Integromat. We cover features, pricing, pros and cons, and who it suits best.
Read full review →Best Automation Tools in 2026
This page ranks and compares every automation platform we have reviewed on ToolStackChoice — from no-code tools for beginners to enterprise-grade iPaaS solutions. Every rating is based on hands-on testing, not vendor claims. Use the picks below to find the right tool for your team, budget, and technical level.
See our top picks ↓Our Top Automation Picks in 2026
Six tools, each suited to a different team type and budget. Click through to the full review for detailed scoring and a plain-language verdict.
Zapier
Best for beginnersThe most widely used no-code automation platform. Fastest path from idea to working Zap, with 6,000+ integrations and a polished interface that requires no technical knowledge.
Read review →Make.com
Best for complex workflowsA visual, canvas-based builder that handles multi-step, branching logic better than most. More powerful than Zapier at a lower price, with a steeper learning curve to match.
Read review →n8n Cloud
Best for developersOpen-source-backed and developer-friendly, with native code steps, self-hosting options, and strong AI workflow support. Ideal for technical teams who want maximum control.
Read review →Pabbly Connect
Best budget optionFlat-rate pricing with no per-task billing makes Pabbly the most cost-predictable option for founders and agencies running high-volume automations on a fixed budget.
Read review →ActivePieces
Best open-source pickA clean visual builder with an open-source core, generous free cloud tier, and strong AI-first integrations. A compelling alternative to n8n for teams that want flexibility without heavy setup.
Read review →Workato
Best for enterprise teamsEnterprise-grade iPaaS with deep connectors for CRM, ERP, and HR systems, plus governance and compliance features that mid-market and enterprise teams require.
Read review →Quick Comparison: Key Automation Tools
Key metrics at a glance — updated February 2026.
| Tool | Free plan | Starting price | Native integrations | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier Recommended | Yes (100 tasks/mo) | $19.99 / mo | 6,000+ | Non-technical users |
| Make.com | Yes (1,000 ops/mo) | $9 / mo | 1,500+ | Complex workflows |
| n8n | Self-hosted (free) | $20 / mo (cloud) | 400+ | Developers & power users |
| Pabbly Connect | No | $19 / mo | 1,000+ | Budget-conscious teams |
| ActivePieces | Yes (cloud free tier) | Free / $19 / mo | 200+ | Open-source / AI-first teams |
| Workato | No | Custom pricing | 1,200+ | Mid-market & enterprise |
Prices are indicative. Always verify on the vendor’s official site before purchasing.
Scroll sideways to see all columns →
How to choose an automation tool
Use this two-step shortcut to pick a starting tool for your team.
Step 1: Choose your main use case
- SaaS connectors: You mostly want to connect popular apps like CRM, email, forms and billing.
- Complex workflows: You need branching logic, approvals, or multi-step automations.
- Self-host / open source: You want more control over hosting and data.
- Enterprise iPaaS (strict security, compliance, or multi-system integration needs): You need governed, auditable integrations across many systems.
Step 2
Step 2: Match your team’s technical level
Non-technical teams
- SaaS connectors: Choose Zapier — simple no-code automations for small teams.
- Complex workflows: Choose Make.com — more powerful once you’re ready for a visual builder.
Technical / power users
- Complex workflows: Choose Make.com — flexible canvas for advanced flows.
- Self-host / open source: Choose n8n or Activepieces — more control over where your data lives.
Mid-market & enterprise
- Enterprise iPaaS: Choose Workato — designed for governed, large-scale integrations.
- Budget-conscious SMBs: Choose Pabbly Connect — predictable pricing for simple automations.
Tip: Start with the tool that fits today’s workflows; you can always graduate to Make.com, n8n or Workato as your automations grow.
Our Top Tools Ranked
A quick-reference ranking based on our hands-on testing scores across ease of use, feature depth, pricing fairness, reliability, and support.
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Zapier — Best overall for non-technical teams.
The fastest path from idea to working automation, with the largest integration library and the most polished no-code experience. The per-task pricing model is its main limitation at scale.
Read full review → -
Make.com — Best for complex, multi-step workflows.
More powerful and more affordable than Zapier for teams that need branching logic, data transformation, and visual workflow design. Requires more time to learn but rewards the investment.
Read full review → -
n8n Cloud — Best for developers and technical teams.
Open-source roots, native code steps, self-hosting flexibility, and strong AI workflow support make n8n the top choice for engineers who want full control without vendor lock-in.
Read full review → -
Pabbly Connect — Best for budget-conscious teams.
Flat-rate pricing with no per-task billing makes Pabbly uniquely cost-predictable. A solid feature set for the price, though the interface and integration depth lag behind the top three.
Read full review → -
ActivePieces — Best open-source alternative.
A clean visual builder with a generous free tier, strong AI-first integrations, and an open-source core. The fastest-growing challenger in the space, especially for teams that want n8n flexibility with less setup friction.
Read full review → -
Workato — Best for enterprise and mid-market teams.
Deep connectors for CRM, ERP, and HR systems, plus governance, compliance, and AI-assisted workflow features that larger organisations require. Custom pricing puts it out of reach for most small teams.
Read full review →
In‑Depth Automation Reviews
Full, in-depth reviews of individual automation tools — covering features, pricing, pros and cons, and a plain-language verdict.
n8n Cloud Review (2026)
Our independent review of n8n Cloud — the developer-friendly, open-source-backed automation platform. Ideal for technical teams who want maximum control and flexibility.
Read full review →Zapier Review (2026)
Our independent review of Zapier — the most widely used no-code automation platform for connecting SaaS tools. Best for non-technical founders and ops teams who want fast, reliable automations.
Read full review →Pabbly Connect Review (2026)
Our independent review of Pabbly Connect — the budget-friendly automation platform with predictable pricing. Best for cost-conscious founders and agencies who want serious automation without variable per-task billing.
Read full review →ActivePieces Review (2026)
Our independent review of Activepieces — the open-source automation platform with a clean visual builder and a generous free cloud tier. Ideal for founders and small teams who want n8n-style flexibility without the setup complexity.
Read full review →Workato Review (2026)
Our independent review of Workato — the enterprise-grade iPaaS platform for mid-market and enterprise teams. Covers connectors, governance, AI-assisted workflows, pricing, and who it’s really for.
Read full review →Side‑by‑Side Comparisons
Can’t decide between two tools? These head-to-head comparisons go deeper than the summary table above.
Make.com vs n8n Cloud: Which is Better for Your Workflows in 2026?
A direct, hands-on comparison of Make.com and n8n Cloud — covering features, pricing, ease of use, and the specific situations where each tool wins.
Read comparison →Zapier vs Make: Which Automation Platform is Better in 2026?
A direct comparison of Zapier and Make — covering ease of use, pricing, workflow complexity, and who each tool suits best.
Read comparison →Zapier vs Make vs n8n: Which Automation Platform Should Your Team Use in 2026?
A three-way comparison of Zapier, Make, and n8n — covering ease of use, flexibility, pricing, and hosting options so you can pick the right platform.
Read comparison →Not sure where to start? Jump back to our top picks at the top of this page.
How We Chose These Automation Tools
Every tool on this page has been tested hands-on by our team. We sign up for paid plans where necessary, build real workflows in each product, and score results across five dimensions: ease of use, feature depth, pricing fairness, reliability, and support quality. We use the same rubric for every tool so that scores are directly comparable across the category.
When evaluating pricing, we look beyond the headline monthly rate and consider how costs scale with usage — particularly task or operation limits, per-step pricing, and the cost of adding team members. A tool that looks cheap at entry level can become expensive quickly if your workflow volume grows, so we model costs at several usage tiers before assigning a pricing score.
We also assess integration depth, not just integration count. A platform with 6,000 listed connectors but shallow action sets for key tools is less useful than one with 400 connectors that are deeply implemented. Our feature depth scores reflect this distinction. Reviews are dated and revisited when a tool releases a major update or changes its pricing, so you always know how current the information is.
FAQ: Choosing an Automation Platform
Which automation tool is best for beginners?
Zapier is the easiest starting point for non-technical users. Its trigger-and-action model is intuitive, the interface is polished, and the library of pre-built Zap templates means you can automate common workflows in minutes without writing a single line of code. ActivePieces is also beginner-friendly if you want a free cloud tier to start with.
Which automation tool is best for developers?
n8n is the top choice for developers. It supports native JavaScript and Python code steps, offers a self-hosted open-source version, has strong AI workflow support, and gives you full control over data handling and infrastructure. ActivePieces is a strong runner-up if you want open-source flexibility with a cleaner visual interface.
Which automation tool is best for a tight budget?
Pabbly Connect stands out for budget-conscious teams because it uses flat-rate pricing with no per-task billing. You pay a fixed monthly fee regardless of how many automations you run, which makes it highly predictable for high-volume use cases. Make.com is also competitively priced and offers more power than Zapier at a lower cost per operation.
Which automation tool is best for complex, multi-step workflows?
Make.com is the strongest option for complex workflows, thanks to its visual canvas builder, support for branching logic, data transformation modules, and error-handling paths. n8n is equally capable for technical teams and adds the option to write custom code at any step.
Which automation tool is best for enterprise teams?
Workato is purpose-built for mid-market and enterprise use cases. It offers deep connectors for CRM, ERP, and HR systems, plus governance features, role-based access controls, audit logs, and compliance certifications that enterprise IT and security teams require. It is the only tool on this page with custom pricing, reflecting its enterprise positioning.