The study compares the efficiency of two different coating processes: cathodic arc evaporation (CAE) for multi-layer ZrN/ZrAlN coatings and scalable pulse power plasma (SPPP) and high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HPS) for single-layer AlZrN coatings. The tool life of the AlZrN (SPPP) coating was 111 minutes, which is 1.5 times longer than the tool life of the AlZrN (HPS) coating. Compared to single-layer coatings, multi-layer coatings would not provide the same level of performance. The tools with the aluminum top layer of the multi-layer coatings worked better. The AlZrN (SPPP) tool had a surface roughness (SR) of 1.0μm, whereas the AlZrN (HPS) tools had a SR of 1.6μm. It was discovered that AlZrN (HPS) tools reduced cutting force by 5% and AlZrN (SPPP) tools by 11%. When comparing tools coated with ZrN/ZrAlN multi layers to those coated with AlZrCuN single layers, the surface roughness of the latter was 2.5 times greater. Using empirical models, a 5% predictability for cutting force and a 20% predictability for surface roughness (SR) was found. Because feed rate and cutting speed have an effect, the SR prediction range is larger. Tools coated with AlZrN (SPPP) or AlZrN (HPS) can be chosen with the help of the created models. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.