Quick Summary
Choose Decisional when:
- •You want to describe automation in plain English
- •Workflows require reading documents and reasoning
- •Your team isn't technical
- •Spreadsheets are central to your operations
Choose Make when:
- •You prefer visual workflow builders
- •Workflows are predictable with structured data
- •You need specific app-to-app integrations
- •Complex data transformations are required
| Feature | Decisional | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration Method | Natural language instructions | Visual scenario builder |
| Automation Type | AI agents with reasoning | Module-based workflows |
| Learning Curve | Minimal - describe what you want | Moderate - learn scenario builder |
| Data Handling | Unstructured + structured | Primarily structured data |
| Data Interface | Spreadsheet-native | Data store + app modules |
| Integrations | Browser + API based | 1,500+ app modules |
| Data Transformation | AI handles automatically | Powerful built-in functions |
| Pricing Model | Usage-based (agent runs) | Operations-based |
| Best For | Operations teams, complex reasoning | Power users, data pipelines |
The Core Difference: Instructions vs Scenarios
Make (formerly Integromat) is known for its powerful visual scenario builder. You drag modules onto a canvas, connect them, and configure data mappings between each step. It's more flexible than Zapier and offers deeper data transformation capabilities.
Decisional replaces the visual builder entirely with natural language. Instead of configuring modules, you describe what you want accomplished. AI agents interpret your instructions and execute the workflow, handling data transformations and edge cases automatically.
"Make gives you LEGO blocks to build with. Decisional gives you an employee who builds what you describe."
Configuration Complexity
Setting Up Invoice Processing
Decisional setup:
"When I upload invoices to this sheet, read each PDF, extract the vendor name, invoice number, amount, and due date. Add the data to columns B-E. Flag any invoices where the amount exceeds $10,000."
Make setup:
Configure: Google Drive trigger → PDF.co parser module → Iterator module → Router (for amount check) → Google Sheets module. Map fields at each step. Set up error handlers.
Quote Generation Workflow
Decisional setup:
"For each row in the requirements sheet, look up the matching products in the price list, calculate the total with any applicable volume discounts, and generate a quote document."
Make setup:
Configure: Sheets trigger → Multiple lookup modules → Math/text functions for calculations → Conditional routers for discount logic → Document generation module. Requires nested iterators for line items.
When Make is the Better Choice
Make excels in scenarios where visual control and data manipulation are priorities:
- Complex data transformations: Parsing, formatting, aggregating structured data
- Multi-path workflows: Routers and filters with clear visual logic
- Specific integrations: Deep, native connections to 1,500+ apps
- Operations optimization: Precise control over execution and operations usage
- Technical teams: Users comfortable with data mapping and functions
When Decisional is the Better Choice
Decisional is superior when workflows require reasoning:
- Document processing: PDFs, contracts, invoices with varying formats
- Decision-making workflows: Logic that varies based on context
- Non-technical users: No module configuration or data mapping needed
- Spreadsheet operations: Teams working primarily in Excel/Sheets
- Quick setup: Describe and run vs. build and test
Learning Curve Comparison
Make's learning requirements:
- • Understanding modules, triggers, and actions
- • Data mapping between modules
- • Functions for data transformation
- • Iterators and aggregators for array data
- • Routers and filters for conditional logic
- • Error handling and scenario optimization
Decisional's learning requirements:
- • Writing clear instructions (like emailing a colleague)
- • Understanding what the agent can access (your spreadsheet, connected tools)
- • Reviewing and approving agent actions when needed
By the Numbers
Summary
Make is a powerful tool for users who want visual control over workflow logic and extensive data transformation capabilities. Its scenario builder offers flexibility that power users appreciate.
Decisional is built for teams who want to automate without becoming automation experts. By replacing visual configuration with natural language instructions and AI reasoning, Decisional makes complex automation accessible to non-technical operations teams.