Make vs Windmill — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Make and Windmill to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Make takes the lead with a 4.5 rating and is best for users who need more complex automation logic than zapier offers at a more affordable price.. Windmill (4.2) is the better pick if you need developers who prefer code but want visual orchestration.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Make | Windmill |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.5(312) | ★★★★ 4.2(45) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | freemium |
| Starter Price | $10.59/mo (Core, 10K ops) | $10/user/mo (cloud) |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | web | Web, Self-hosted |
| Learning Curve | medium | Medium |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Users who need more complex automation logic than Zapier offers at a more affordable price. | Developers who prefer code but want visual orchestration |
| Verdict | recommended | Best Code-First Automation |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | Make | Windmill |
|---|---|---|
| Visual flowchart workflow builder | — | |
| Routers and conditional logic | — | |
| Iterators and aggregators | — | |
| Error handling | — | |
| 1,500+ app integrations | — | |
| Webhooks and HTTP modules | — | |
| Script to App | — | |
| Workflow Engine | — | |
| Scheduling | — | |
| Auto-Generated UI | — | |
| Approval Flows | — |
Make
Pros
- ✓More powerful than Zapier for complex automation logic
- ✓Visual flowchart builder makes complex workflows understandable
- ✓More affordable than Zapier for high-volume, complex automations
Cons
- ✕Steeper learning curve than Zapier
- ✕Fewer app integrations than Zapier (1,500+ vs 6,000+)
- ✕Operation counting can be confusing initially
Windmill
Pros
- ✓Code-first approach
- ✓Multi-language support
- ✓Excellent self-hosted option
Cons
- ✕Smaller community
- ✕Steeper learning curve for non-devs
- ✕Fewer pre-built components
The Bottom Line
Both Make and Windmill are solid tools in the No-Code & Automation space. Make edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.5 vs 4.2) and is the better choice for users who need more complex automation logic than zapier offers at a more affordable price.. However, if you prioritize developers who prefer code but want visual orchestration, Windmill is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.