Airtable Automations vs Zapier vs Make vs n8n: 2025 Update

In 2022, I wrote a comparison of Airtable automations and Zapier. At the time I suggested starting with Airtable whenever possible, but moving to Zapier when workflows grew more complex or when you needed to connect to other platforms.

That advice still holds true today, but the automation landscape has changed. Tools like Make and n8n have matured and are now serious options alongside Zapier.

I thought it was worth revisiting where each of these tools fits, what has changed, and how I decide which one to use for a given project.

Airtable Automations: the built-in choice

Airtable automations are still the simplest and fastest way to automate anything inside a base. If your trigger, logic, and outcome can all live within Airtable, I always start here.

• Speed and simplicity. Automations trigger quickly and are easy to configure. If you need to update a record, create a linked item, or notify someone in Slack, Airtable automations are ideal.

• Pricing advantage. Automations are included in your Airtable plan, which makes them cheaper than running the same tasks in an external tool. There are limits, but for small to medium workflows the cost difference is significant.

• Built-in integrations. Airtable has added a few direct integrations with apps like Slack, Gmail, and Twilio. These are useful, but the list is still short.

• Scripts for power users. With scripting you can connect Airtable to almost anything by writing custom JavaScript. This is powerful but requires coding knowledge. For non-technical teams it is often a barrier.

In short, Airtable automations are excellent for in-base work and light external connections. Beyond that, you quickly reach their limits.

Zapier: the veteran integrator

Zapier remains the most recognisable automation platform, and for good reason. It has the broadest library of supported apps and a user experience that makes building workflows accessible to almost anyone.

• App coverage. With thousands of integrations, Zapier connects to almost everything you can think of. If you need Airtable to talk to your CRM, email platform, and project management tool at once, Zapier is still the most straightforward option.

• AI enhancements. Zapier now uses AI to help design workflows, translate plain language into actions, and even test logic. This makes it quicker to set up complex automations without spending hours tweaking steps.

• Cost. Zapier can get expensive at scale. It charges per task, so high-volume workflows can rack up costs quickly.

  
  

Zapier was my go-to back in 2022, but these days I prefer Make because of its visual builder, and flexibility.

Make: the visual powerhouse

Make has always appealed to people who want a visual approach to automation. Instead of a simple step-by-step flow, you build scenarios on a canvas that shows how data moves from one app to another.

• Visual clarity. You can see the entire workflow in one diagram, which makes it easier to design and debug complex systems.

• Flexibility. Make allows branching, loops, and more advanced logic than Zapier. This makes it powerful for data-heavy processes.

• Pricing. Make is usually cheaper than Zapier for large workflows, which makes it attractive if you run high volumes of tasks.

The trade-off is that Make can be more complex for new users. It requires more learning, but once you understand it, the flexibility is unmatched.

n8n: the open-source alternative

n8n has grown into a serious contender. It's open-source, which means you can self-host it or use the cloud version. For developers and teams that want full control, this is a major advantage.

• Customisation. Because it's open-source, you can extend n8n with your own code, integrations, and logic. You are not limited by the vendor’s roadmap.

• Cost control. If you self-host, you avoid per-task costs, paying only for the infrastructure you run it on. This makes it appealing for large-scale, enterprise-grade automation.

• Community-driven. n8n’s community creates and shares nodes (their equivalent of integrations), which adds flexibility.

  
  

The downside is that n8n requires more technical knowledge. For non-technical users, the learning curve is steeper than Zapier or Make.

Choosing the right tool

So how do I decide which integration platform to use in 2025?

• Airtable if the whole workflow lives inside Airtable or only needs light external connections. It is fast, cost-effective, and simple.

• Zapier when you need guaranteed integrations, a fast setup, and ease of use. It is the most user-friendly choice for non-technical teams.

• Make if you want advanced visual workflows, branching logic, and cost-effective scaling. It shines in complex, high-volume use cases.

n8n if you need full control, customisation, or self-hosting. It is best for developers and organisations that want flexibility and are comfortable managing infrastructure.

Comparison Table

I love a comparison table. Here's a quick summary of how Airtable, and the big three integration tools compare.

The role of AI

AI has influenced all of these tools. Airtable AI now helps with formula generation, view building, has built-in automation steps. Zapier has AI woven into its workflow design, reducing the time to build and test. Make and n8n also integrate with AI models, letting you run content generation, classification, and analysis inside your workflows.

The difference is in scope. Airtable AI focuses on improving Airtable itself. Zapier uses AI to make multi-app automation easier. Make and n8n let you bring AI into deeply customised workflows

The Answer Is Complicated

Airtable automations remain the simplest way to automate inside Airtable. Zapier is still the easiest way to connect Airtable to the wider world. Make offers powerful, flexible, and cost-effective visual workflows. n8n gives developers full control through open-source customisation.

For me the question is not “which one should I use” but “which one should I start with, and when should I expand to another”. Airtable first, for speed and simplicity. Zapier for ease of use and breadth. Make for complex, high-volume systems. n8n for full control and custom builds.