vsMakeVisual workflows are powerful. Until the app has no API.
Stepwork automates what Make's modules can't reach.
Make's visual scenario builder excels at connecting apps through APIs — routers, filters, and complex logic. But when you need to provision users, handle MFA, or automate admin workflows that aren't API-exposed, Make hits a wall. Stepwork automates through the UI. No modules. No connectors. No cloud processing.
Two tools. Two very different outcomes.
Compare automating user provisioning in an app without full API coverage.
AutomationWhy teams choose Stepwork over Make.
The capabilities that make Stepwork fundamentally different.
Make chains API modules in a visual scenario. Stepwork automates through the application interface — if a human can click it, Stepwork can automate it. No API, no module, no connector required.
Make routes all scenario data through its cloud infrastructure. Stepwork runs in a Docker container on your device — credentials, PII, and business data never leave your machine.
Make uses OAuth and API keys — it can't complete MFA or sign in through your identity provider. Stepwork authenticates through Okta, Entra ID, or 1Password and handles OTP, passkeys, and push natively.
Make's power is limited to what each app's API exposes. Most SaaS apps don't expose provisioning, role assignment, or group management through their API. Stepwork accesses the full admin UI.
When APIs deprecate endpoints or change schemas, Make scenarios break and require manual fixes. Stepwork uses AI vision to adapt to UI changes automatically.
Make requires designing scenarios — mapping modules, configuring routers, handling errors. Stepwork workflows are recorded by performing the task once. No scenario logic to maintain.
Security by design.
How Stepwork and Make handle your data, credentials, and access.
Stepwork runs inside a hardened Docker container on your device. Data never leaves your machine.
StepworkMake processes all scenario data through its cloud infrastructure. Your app data, credentials, and webhook payloads pass through Make's servers in the EU or US.
Make riskStepwork authenticates through Okta, Entra ID, Google Workspace, and 1Password. No OAuth tokens or API keys stored in third-party services.
StepworkMake stores OAuth tokens and API credentials for every connected app on its platform. This creates a centralized credential surface.
Make risk| Feature | Stepwork | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | UI automation with AI vision | Visual module-based scenarios |
| App coverage | Any browser-based app | 1,500+ API integrations |
| Admin actions | Full admin UI access | Limited to API-exposed actions |
| MFA / SSO | OTP, passkeys, push — native | OAuth / API keys only |
| User provisioning | Any app, SCIM or not | Only if API supports it |
| Data handling | Processed locally | Processed in Make's cloud |
| Self-healing | AI vision adapts to UI changes | Breaks on API changes |
| Complex logic | Recorded flow + variable tables | Routers, filters, iterators |
| Pricing | Simple per-seat | Per-operation pricing |
Make breaks when UIs change.
Stepwork self-heals and keeps running.
When a UI changes, most automation tools fail silently or require manual fixes. With Stepwork, flows self-heal. AI detects layout shifts, finds the right elements, and keeps the automation running — no human intervention required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Stepwork replace Make for SaaS automation?
For admin workflows like user provisioning, access management, and onboarding — yes. Make is limited to API-exposed actions. Stepwork automates through the UI, so it works with any app regardless of API coverage. Make remains strong for API-to-API data integration between systems.
Why does Make break when Stepwork doesn't?
Make depends on APIs — when an app deprecates an endpoint or changes its schema, Make scenarios fail. Stepwork uses AI vision to find UI elements, so it adapts when layouts change. Different failure modes: API brittleness vs UI resilience.
Is Stepwork more secure than Make for provisioning?
Stepwork processes all data locally on your device in a hardened Docker container. Make routes data through its cloud servers and stores OAuth tokens for connected apps. For security-sensitive workflows like provisioning, Stepwork's local-first model keeps credentials and PII on your infrastructure.
Can Make handle MFA-protected apps?
No. Make uses OAuth and API keys — it can't complete MFA challenges, passkeys, or push notifications. Stepwork authenticates through your identity provider and handles MFA natively, which is essential for provisioning workflows in enterprise SaaS apps.
Ready to automate what Make can't?
Record once. Run forever. Join teams saving 1,000+ hours with 98% accurate automation.