Power Automate vs Zapier vs Make for Australian small businesses
Short answer: if your business runs on Microsoft 365, start with Power Automate — standard connectors are already included in Microsoft 365 business plans, it works natively with Outlook, Teams and SharePoint, and Australian data residency options are available. Zapier and Make are excellent for connecting many non-Microsoft web apps quickly, but add a separate subscription and store data overseas.
Side-by-side
| Power Automate | Zapier | Make | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Microsoft 365 businesses (Outlook, Teams, SharePoint) | Quick links between many web apps | Complex multi-step scenarios across web apps |
| Included in Microsoft 365? | Yes, with standard connectors | No — separate subscription | No — separate subscription |
| Entry cost | Included; Premium A$22.40/user/month if needed | Paid plans from about US$20/month | Paid plans from about US$9–11/month |
| Data location | Australian environments available | US-hosted | US or EU |
| Ease of handover to IT provider | High — standard Microsoft skills | Medium | Medium |
Prices as at October 2026 and subject to change — always check the vendor’s current pricing. Premium price ex GST, annual billing.
When to choose each
- Power Automate — most of your work lives in Outlook, Teams and SharePoint; you want data in your own Microsoft tenant; you want your IT provider to be able to support it.
- Zapier — you mostly use non-Microsoft web apps and need simple, fast connections.
- Make — you need visual, multi-branch scenarios across many web apps and are comfortable with a separate platform.
Many businesses end up with a mix. The key is choosing deliberately, keeping accounts in your name, and documenting what was built.
How PulseForge approaches it
We default to Power Automate in your own Microsoft 365 tenant, and use Zapier or Make only where a connection genuinely needs it — always in client-owned accounts, so there is no lock-in.
| Step | Price (ex GST) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery call | Free | 30 minutes: the problem, the systems, whether it is worth assessing |
| Automation Assessment | $990 | Workshop, up to 3 workflows mapped, baseline hours, systems and licence check, ranked options, fixed quote. Credited in full against a build signed within 30 days of the assessment report |
| Simple build | from $2,900 | One trigger, up to two systems, tested, documented, handed over |
| Standard build | from $4,900 | Two to three systems, approvals, exception queue, reconciliation |
| Care (optional) | $750 or $1,250 / month | Business-hours monitoring, fixes and small changes |
Frequently asked questions
Is Power Automate free with Microsoft 365?
Power Automate with standard connectors is included in Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard and Premium. Premium and custom connectors require an additional Power Automate Premium or Process licence.
Is Zapier cheaper than Power Automate?
For a Microsoft 365 business, usually not — Power Automate’s standard connectors are already included. Zapier can be cheaper and faster for simple links between non-Microsoft web apps.
Where is my data stored?
Power Platform offers Australian environments; Zapier states US hosting; Make offers US or EU. Connected apps may store data elsewhere, so check each one.
Can I switch platforms later?
Yes, but workflows are not directly portable between platforms. Good documentation makes rebuilding much easier.
Related: Power Automate consultant · Do you need Power Automate Premium? · All guides
Not sure which platform fits your business?
Free 30-minute call — we will recommend the simplest option, even if it is not us.
Prefer email? hello@pulseforge.com.au · Or call directly on (03) 4422 2232.