Hunter vs Make
Both are strong picks for link building and automation, but they make different trade-offs. Here is the honest breakdown for 2026.
| At a glance | Hunter | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $34/mo | $9/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Email address lookup | Complex multi-step automations |
| Platforms | Web, Chrome extension, API | Web, API |
| Launched | 2015 | 2012 |
Hunter
Link Building
The standard for finding and verifying professional email addresses, with simple cold outreach built in.
Strengths
- + Reliable data with transparent sources
- + Useful free tier
- + Clean API and integrations
Weaknesses
- − Coverage is thinner for small local businesses
- − Campaign features are basic versus dedicated outreach tools
Pick Hunter over Make if: you mainly need email address lookup.
Make
Automation
Visual automation canvas with powerful branching and data tools at a fraction of Zapier's cost per operation.
Strengths
- + Visual branching and error handling
- + Much cheaper per operation than Zapier
- + Generous free tier
Weaknesses
- − Learning curve for non-technical users
- − Fewer app integrations than Zapier
Pick Make over Hunter if: you mainly need complex multi-step automations.
Bottom line
Keep Hunter in the stack regardless of what else you use; the free tier alone earns its place. Make is the sweet spot for marketers comfortable thinking in flowcharts: most of n8n's power with none of the hosting. If budget is the deciding factor, start with whichever free tier or trial fits your workflow, then upgrade once you hit its limits.