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Aqara vs Make

Aqara logo

Aqara

Software

Smart home sensors and automation ecosystem

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Make logo

Make

Software

The platform for the new way of working

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Make has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Aqara a hub is required for full functionality, and Matter accessories need a Matter controller such as the Hub M3 configured in Aqara Home first; Make free tier limited to 1,000 credits per month
  • They diverge on capability: Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Make covers Visual workflow builder.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aqara and Make actually diverge.

Attributes where Aqara and Make differ
AttributeAqaraMake
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, AndroidWeb
Founded20162013

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Aqara

  • Zigbee protocol
  • Sensor ecosystem
  • Automation scenes
  • Long battery life
  • Local processing
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Google Assistant

Only in Make

  • Visual workflow builder
  • Webhooks
  • API connectors
  • Conditional logic
  • Data transformation
  • Error handling
  • Scheduling
  • Team collaboration

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Aqara

  • Smart home sensors, switches and cameras on Zigbeenot Make
  • Automations across HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThingsnot Make
  • Matter-based smart home setupsnot Make
  • Door locks and curtain controllers tied to routinesnot Make

Make

  • Automating integrations between 3,000+ pre-built applicationsnot Aqara
  • Building AI agents and workflow automation without extensive codingnot Aqara
  • Enterprise automation with GDPR, SOC 2 Type II compliancenot Aqara
  • Rapid deployment of automations from concept to livenot Aqara

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Aqara

  • A hub is required for full functionality, and Matter accessories need a Matter controller such as the Hub M3 configured in Aqara Home first
  • Primarily a hardware company, so the app exists to run devices you have bought
  • Zigbee devices depend on the hub remaining supported

Make

  • Free tier limited to 1,000 credits per month
  • Free tier restricted to 2 active scenarios maximum
  • Free tier enforces 15-minute minimum scheduling interval
  • Credit-based model means costs scale with usage volume, not just features

Pricing, plan by plan

Aqara

On request
  • Door Sensor$15/month
    • Zigbee
    • Long battery
    • Instant alerts
  • Motion Sensor$20/month
    • Light sensor
    • Adjustable sensitivity
    • Pet immune
  • Hub M2$60/month
    • Zigbee hub
    • IR control
    • HomeKit support

Make

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Make review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Aqara if

  • You need zigbee protocol.
  • You work on IOS, Android.
  • You also want sensor ecosystem.
Aqara review

Choose Make if

  • You need visual workflow builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want webhooks.
Make review

Questions people ask

Is Aqara or Make better?
Neither clearly leads. Aqara starts at On request and Make at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aqara or Make?
Make has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Aqara and Free for Make.
Does Aqara or Make run on more platforms?
Aqara runs on IOS, Android. Make runs on Web.
Can I use Make for free?
Yes. Make has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Aqara starts at On request.
What is Aqara best used for?
Aqara is most often used for smart home sensors, switches and cameras on zigbee, automations across homekit, google home, alexa and smartthings, matter-based smart home setups, door locks and curtain controllers tied to routines. Of those, smart home sensors, switches and cameras on zigbee and automations across homekit, google home, alexa and smartthings are not what Make is typically brought in for.
What can Aqara do that Make cannot?
Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life. Make covers Visual workflow builder, Webhooks, API connectors, Conditional logic.
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