How the options compare.
| DIY (Zapier / Make) | Oravel | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Tool subscription plus your own time. | One system from €3,900 plus Run & Care €490/month (excl. VAT), plus tool and model usage. |
| Good at | Moving data between apps on clear triggers. | Workflows where AI reads, classifies and decides, with approvals. |
| Error handling | Up to you; failures can go unnoticed. | Monitoring and alerts; we fix failures. |
| Guardrails | Possible, but you design them. | Approvals, least-privilege access and a full log by default. |
| Maintenance | Whoever built it, often one enthusiastic person. | Documented and maintained by us, or handed over. |
| Best when | Simple, low-risk, internal workflows. | Customer-facing, multi-step or money-touching workflows. |
Zapier and Make both offer AI features and are actively developed; check their current plans and limits on their own websites. We don't quote their prices here because they change.
Choose them if…
DIY is the right call more often than you'd think.
Choose us if…
These are the signs a DIY automation has outgrown its builder.
Questions worth asking.
Before you build: write down what should happen when the automation fails, who is told, and how you would know.
Before you hire anyone: ask whether they would build it in Zapier, Make, n8n or code, and why. A good answer depends on your volume, data and who maintains it.
Common questions.
Do you build in Zapier and Make?
Yes, when it fits. We also use n8n and custom code. We choose based on volume, cost, data sensitivity and who will maintain it.
Can you take over our existing Zaps or scenarios?
Yes. We review them in the audit, keep what works and rebuild what doesn't.
What about n8n?
n8n can be self-hosted, which helps with data control and cost at volume; it also needs someone to run the server. We use it where those trade-offs fit.
Want this in your business?
Tell us how you work today. We'll tell you honestly what AI can take off your team's plate, what it costs, and whether we are the right fit.