Best Zapier Alternatives in 2026: An Honest Comparison
Zapier pioneered the no-code automation space and remains the most recognized name in workflow automation. With 8,000+ app integrations and an interface built for non-technical users, it earned its position. But as pricing climbs and competitors improve, a growing number of users are evaluating Zapier alternatives — including free options that rival its core features.
This comparison covers 10 alternatives with real pricing, real user reviews, and honest assessments of strengths and weaknesses.
Why People Look for Zapier Alternatives
Cost is the #1 driver.
Zapier's per-task pricing model becomes expensive fast. The Professional plan starts at $19.99/month for just 750 tasks, and scaling to 100,000 tasks/month pushes costs well above $700/month. Users on the Zapier Community forum have reported unexpected charges — one user was overcharged $750 while on a free plan, with no human support available to resolve it. As automations grow, the per-task model creates unpredictable bills that are difficult to forecast.
Platform limitations surface at scale.
Zapier was designed for simple trigger-action workflows. Teams building complex, multi-step automations increasingly find themselves needing features Zapier doesn't offer well: advanced branching logic, custom code execution, AI-native workflows, built-in databases, or self-hosting options. As one Medium article put it, teams are “outgrowing Zapier's core design” and need better observability, event-driven architectures, and debugging tools.
Support frustrations compound the problem.
Multiple users report difficulty reaching human support, with automated chat being the primary channel. One Zapier Community post titled “Zapier Customer Service Nightmare” described failed upgrades, no response from support, and direct business impact. When automation is critical infrastructure, unreliable support becomes a dealbreaker.
The good news: the automation market has matured significantly. Searches for Zapier vs Make, Zapier vs n8n, and Zapier vs Latenode have surged as users compare their options. There are now viable Zapier competitors for every use case — from budget-conscious solopreneurs to enterprise teams processing millions of operations monthly.
Zapier Alternatives Comparison Table
| Platform | Free Plan | Starting Price | Integrations | Code Support | AI Features | Self-Host | Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latenode | Yes (300 executions) | $5/mo | 1,000+ | JavaScript + NPM | 400+ AI models built-in | No | 4.9/5 (Capterra) | AI-powered automation, cost-conscious teams |
| Make | Yes (1,000 credits) | $9/mo | 3,000+ | Limited (modules) | AI app connections | No | 4.7/5 | Complex visual workflows, SMBs |
| n8n | Community (self-host) | €20/mo (cloud) | 400+ built-in | JavaScript, Python | AI credits included | Yes | 4.8/5 | Technical teams, self-hosting |
| Power Automate | 30-day trial | $15/user/mo | 1,000+ | Limited | Copilot, AI Builder | No | 4.4/5 | Microsoft 365 ecosystems |
| Workato | No | Custom (~$10K+/yr) | 1,200+ | Ruby-based recipes | AI/ML capabilities | No | 4.7/5 | Enterprise integration |
| Tray.io | No | Custom (~$20K+/yr) | 600+ | Connector SDK | Merlin AI agents | No | 4.5/5 | Mid-market to enterprise |
| Pipedream | Yes (100 credits) | $29/mo | 2,800+ | JS, Python, Go, Bash | AI tokens included | No | 5.0/5 (GetApp) | Developers, API workflows |
| Activepieces | Yes (10 flows) | $5/active flow | 621+ | Code pieces | AI agents, MCP | Yes | 4.8/5 | Open-source enthusiasts, SMBs |
| IFTTT | Yes (2 applets) | $2.99/mo | 1,000+ | Webhooks (Pro) | AI services (Pro+) | No | 4.6/5 | Smart home, simple automations |
| Pabbly Connect | Limited | $16/mo (annual) | 2,000+ | No | No | No | 4.5/5 (Capterra) | Budget automation, lifetime deals |
Free Zapier Alternatives: Which Platforms Actually Offer Free Plans?
If you're looking for a free Zapier alternative, several platforms offer genuinely free tiers. Here's what you actually get without paying:
Latenode
300 executions/month, 300 CPU credits, 1 parallel execution
Limited executions; paid plans start at $5/mo
Make
1,000 credits/month, 2 active scenarios
Credits consumed per module step; complex workflows drain credits fast
n8n Community
Unlimited executions (self-hosted)
Requires your own server and DevOps maintenance
Activepieces
10 active flows, unlimited runs
Limited to 10 flows; self-hosted option also free
IFTTT
2 applets, unlimited runs
Only 2 automations; simple trigger-action only
Pipedream
100 credits/month, 3 active workflows, 1M AI tokens
Very limited credits and workflow count
Pabbly Connect
Limited free tier (100 tasks)
Very limited; site pushes paid plans aggressively
For truly free, unlimited automation, n8n's self-hosted Community Edition is the strongest option if you have technical expertise. For a free cloud-hosted option with the best value, Latenode's 300 free executions per month offer a solid starting point.
The 10 Best Zapier Alternatives
1. Latenode
Latenode is a low-code automation platform that combines visual drag-and-drop workflow building with full custom JavaScript capabilities. Founded with a focus on making advanced automation affordable, it’s positioned as a platform where no-code simplicity meets full-code potential. It’s best suited for users who want AI-powered automation without enterprise pricing, and for developers who need custom code execution within visual workflows.
Key Features
- 400+ AI models included — Access to OpenAI, Claude, DeepSeek, Gemini, LLaMA, Mistral, and more, all without requiring your own API keys. One unified subscription covers all models at vendor pricing.
- Visual builder + full JavaScript — Drag-and-drop workflow builder with code nodes supporting JavaScript, Node.js, and Bun, plus full NPM package access.
- Built-in headless browser — Puppeteer integration for web scraping, screenshot automation, and browser-based workflows.
- Built-in database — Native data storage with RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) capabilities for AI knowledge management.
- AI Agent nodes — Multi-agent orchestration with guardrails, Think & Plan tools, and MCP server nodes.
- 1,000+ integrations — Growing library of app connections, plus the ability to connect to any API via HTTP requests and custom code.
- AI Code Copilot — AI assistant that helps write, debug, and optimize automation code directly in the platform.
Pricing
Latenode uses a CPU credit-based pricing model rather than per-task billing. This means you pay for actual compute resources consumed, not for each individual step in your workflow. The platform claims this makes it up to 89x cheaper than Zapier for large-scale automations — for 100K operations, Latenode estimates ~$19 versus Zapier’s $733–$898. All plans include unlimited scenarios (on paid plans), access to all apps, and all AI models.
Pros
- Dramatically lower cost than Zapier and Make for high-volume automations
- Full JavaScript with NPM packages — not just “code snippets”
- 400+ AI models with no API key management
- Built-in headless browser is unique among competitors
- Responsive support (under 1 hour response time reported)
- Clean, intuitive visual builder
Cons
- Smaller integration library than Zapier (1,000+ vs 8,000+) — though custom code bridges the gap
- Newer platform with a smaller community than established competitors
- Some users have reported billing issues after cancellation (one Trustpilot complaint)
- Fewer pre-built templates compared to Make or Zapier
Real User Reviews
“At last—Automation that Won’t Break the Bank or My Brain. As a seasoned Make user (and a die-hard JavaScript developer that’s spent several years immersed in AI workflows), I took this leap reluctantly. But boy—Latenode really performs. I initially set out looking for something that was less expensive than Make, anticipating that it would mean sacrifices in features or flexibility. What I got was better. After weeks of field use, I’ve officially abandoned Make and never glanced back.”
Electronic Parts Outlet, NL — Trustpilot (April 2025)
“Much better than Make. It has better logic handling of nodes and loops, AI steps, and JavaScript code running nodes that are really game changers. Plus, its price is better.”
Felipe Matos, BR — Trustpilot (January 2025)
“I just moved from Make and I feel so excited about the possibilities on this platform. I particularly like that, unlike Make, they charge per execution of a scenario instead of module/node. Then there’s also the JS code node — that is a winner for me.”
Rentaplace, MW — Trustpilot (June 2025)
“I’m new, so this may not be as easy as Zapier, however, they have customer service (Real humans) to answer your questions. And this is a lot cheaper than Zapier. I like it, it’s better than make.com to me.”
Ratpattaradet Anuson, TH — Trustpilot (April 2025)
Ratings: Trustpilot 4.6/5 (48 reviews) · Capterra/GetApp 4.9/5 (57+ reviews) · Product Hunt 4.8/5 (55+ reviews)
Best for: AI-heavy automations, cost-conscious teams scaling up, developers who want visual building with code flexibility, users migrating from Make or Zapier to reduce costs.
2. Make (formerly Integromat)
Make (rebranded from Integromat in 2022) is one of the most popular Zapier alternatives, known for its powerful visual scenario builder that excels at complex, multi-step workflows. Founded in 2012, it’s trusted by 350,000+ organizations and offers a sophisticated canvas-based interface that goes well beyond simple trigger-action automations.
Key Features
- Advanced visual scenario builder — Canvas-based workflow editor with branching, conditional logic, routers, and iterators
- 3,000+ app integrations — One of the largest integration libraries among Zapier alternatives
- Data transformation tools — Built-in iterators, aggregators, and array functions for bulk data processing
- HTTP/Webhook module — Connect to any API even without a dedicated integration
- Error handling — Advanced error routing, retry logic, and execution history
- Team collaboration — Shared templates, team management, and role-based access (Teams plan)
- 10,000+ pre-built templates — Ready-made automation scenarios
Pricing
As of August 2025, Make switched from “operations” to a “credits” model where one module action equals one credit. Important caveat: every module (step) in your scenario consumes a credit. A 5-step workflow uses 5 credits per execution, which can add up quickly for complex automations.
Pros
- Best-in-class visual workflow builder for complex multi-step logic
- Massive integration library (3,000+ apps)
- Strong data manipulation capabilities (iterators, aggregators)
- Good documentation and template library
- Competitive entry-level pricing at $9/month
Cons
- Credit consumption adds up fast — complex scenarios burn through credits quickly
- Steep learning curve (estimated 3–5 hours to build first meaningful scenario)
- Limited governance features for enterprise use
- Inconsistent error messages that don’t always clearly explain failures
- Customer support can be slow on lower tiers
Real User Reviews
“Make is the preferred choice for complicated workflows, offering advanced features like unlimited steps and branches with flexible data handling.”
G2 review analysis — G2 (August 2025)
“Simple to use compared to competitors like Zapier.”
Verified user — Endorsal
“Inconsistent error messages and occasional glitches causing automations to stop working.”
User feedback — Endorsal (consolidated from multiple reviews)
Common Criticisms
“Terrible product. You build a workflow and test it and each time you run it, you utilise credits. Even contacting support costs you credits! When you utilise them all you need to upgrade to the most expensive plan, even if you’ve paid for the medium plan. I’m not even a business, I’m a single user building a simple workflow and ran out credits because I was learning how to use make.com. Complete con. Waste of my week spent building it as I can’t go any further.”
Alison King — Trustpilot, April 2025
“I spent days building a complex automation on Make.com using modules that were available during their free premium trial. At no point was I told that these modules would become unavailable once the trial ended. Now that everything is set up and ready to run, I am blocked and told I need to pay because one of the modules is classified as Premium Tier 1. There was no warning, no indication during the setup. Letting people build fully functional workflows and then silently locking them behind a paywall is unacceptable.”
Sergio Gasc — Trustpilot, July 2025
“I gave MAKE.com a fair chance but there is no real transparency in the debugging and error process. Messages are too vague and generic to be helpful. Having to spend hours debugging Make’s date time functions to try and play nicely with Google Sheets is a true nightmare. Support is delayed and often vague. Documentation is very spotty and unclear at times.”
Teaneedz — Trustpilot, July 2025
Ratings: G2 4.7/5 (231 reviews) · Capterra 4.7/5 (325 reviews) · Gartner Peer Insights 4.6/5 (20 ratings)
Best for: Power users who need complex multi-step automations with advanced data handling. SMBs and small enterprises (70% of reviewers are organizations under $50M revenue). Users who value visual workflow design over code-based approaches.
3. n8n
n8n (pronounced “n-eight-n”) is an open-source workflow automation platform that gives technical teams full control over their automation infrastructure. It can be self-hosted for free or used via n8n Cloud. Founded in 2019, it’s become the go-to choice for developers and ops teams who want code-level flexibility with a visual interface.
Key Features
- Open source & self-hostable — Community Edition is free under the Sustainable Use License; deploy on your own infrastructure for complete data sovereignty
- Code-friendly — Write custom JavaScript and Python directly in workflows, plus build custom nodes
- 400+ built-in integrations — Official pre-configured nodes, plus community-contributed nodes and unlimited custom API connections
- Unlimited workflow steps — Pricing based on executions, not step count
- Advanced logic — Conditional branching, loops, error handling, sub-workflows, and merge nodes
- AI capabilities — Built-in AI credits, LangChain integration, and AI agent workflows
- Version control — Git-based version control on Business plan and above
Pricing
All cloud plans include unlimited workflows, steps, and users. Self-hosting is free but requires infrastructure costs (typically €50+/month for production) plus DevOps maintenance time.
Pros
- True open-source with self-hosting — full control and data sovereignty
- Powerful for technical teams; supports complex logic patterns
- No per-step billing — only executions count
- Active community and frequent updates
- Cost-effective at scale when self-hosted
Cons
- Steep learning curve — not beginner-friendly; requires comfort with APIs and JSON
- Self-hosting requires DevOps expertise for updates, backups, and monitoring
- Visual editor becomes messy with many nodes
- Limited support on basic plans (community-driven)
- Cloud pricing gets expensive at the Business tier (€667/month)
Real User Reviews
“Absolutely love this product. The cost-savings and flexibility of open source will continue to prove their worth in products like n8n. I use it every day and will continue to do so for some time!”
Product Hunt user — Product Hunt (2025)
“You start out with Zapier, then graduate to Make.com, before ending up at n8n. It’s not the easiest to get started with, but once you arrive here, you won’t want to leave. n8n is the greatest prototyping, building, and automation tool to date.”
Product Hunt user — Product Hunt (2025)
“The self-hosted option eliminates data sovereignty concerns.”
Reviewer — Hackceleration (2026)
Common Criticisms
“A complete waste of time and money, the AI build doesn’t do as it says and solely wastes credits, questioning each prompt even though it’s thorough. I have spent 2 days building a workflow which works on other platforms for this to cost me time and money, I do not recommend this.”
Connor Rogers — Trustpilot, December 2025
“Yes, it is a good product but, you will lose your unlimited workflow executions as soon as you buy a business or enterprise license. You will then be limited to 480k executions, and that for paying eight thousand dollars for the smallest self-hosted license.”
Orgoth Dorngree — Trustpilot, June 2025
“The platform itself is generally quite good. However, the support experience leaves a lot to be desired. What’s worse is the complete lack of response from their sales team. We’ve been actively trying to give them more money for weeks and haven’t been able to get anyone to follow up.”
Daniel Ray — Trustpilot, June 2025
Ratings: G2 4.8/5 (57 reviews) · Capterra 4.8/5
Best for: Technical teams, developers, DevOps and RevOps professionals, privacy-conscious organizations that need self-hosting, and anyone building complex multi-step workflows who doesn’t mind a learning curve.
4. Microsoft Power Automate
Power Automate is Microsoft’s automation platform, deeply embedded in the Microsoft 365 and Azure ecosystem. Originally launched as Microsoft Flow in 2016, it’s evolved into a comprehensive automation suite that includes cloud flows, desktop RPA (robotic process automation), and AI-powered capabilities. It’s the natural choice for organizations already invested in Microsoft products.
Key Features
- Deep Microsoft 365 integration — Native connectors for Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, Excel, OneDrive, Dynamics 365, and Azure services
- Desktop RPA (Robotic Process Automation) — Automate legacy desktop applications with attended and unattended bots
- AI Builder — Built-in AI models for document processing, prediction, and text classification
- Copilot integration — AI-assisted workflow creation using natural language prompts
- Process mining — Discover automation opportunities by analyzing existing business processes
- 1,000+ connectors — Including premium connectors for third-party services
- Dataverse integration — Built-in database capabilities via Microsoft Dataverse
Pricing
Important: Power Automate uses per-user licensing, meaning costs scale with headcount rather than automation volume. Premium connectors (many third-party services) require the paid plan — a hidden cost users discover after building flows on the free tier.
Pros
- Unmatched Microsoft 365 integration
- Desktop RPA capabilities that most competitors lack
- AI Builder and Copilot features
- Included (partially) in many Microsoft 365 enterprise licenses
- Strong for approval workflows and business processes
- Process mining helps identify automation opportunities
Cons
- Locked into Microsoft ecosystem — limited value outside it
- Hidden premium connector costs ($15/user/month discovered after building flows)
- Poor error messages (“BadRequest,” “Internal ServerError”) make debugging difficult
- Desktop flows frequently break after Windows or browser updates
- Confusing documentation between cloud and desktop versions
- Per-user pricing doesn’t scale well for small teams with heavy automation needs
Real User Reviews
“Simple workflows are quick to build; I created a SharePoint notification system in 30 minutes.”
Reviewer — ToolStac (2025)
“Performance issues at scale; flows that work with small datasets timeout with larger volumes. Useless error messages make debugging difficult.”
Reviewer — ToolStac (2025)
“Once deployed, solutions do not break [Workato comparison]. However, hidden premium connector costs are discovered after building flows.”
Reviewer — Gartner Peer Insights (2025)
Common Criticisms
“In my experience, it’s well suited for a list with few fields and few rows. Not good for our team with 1,500 rows and 100 fields of data. We switched to Nintex as they were able to not have the throttling issue. In my opinion, throttling is a deal killer for Microsoft Power Automate.”
David Hofmann, Senior Advisor — TrustRadius, 2024
“Steep learning curve. It can be slow to develop simple solutions compared to other automation platforms such as Smartsheet. Troubleshooting and developing can be frustrating without proper access to edit the code directly. Only able to edit through the GUI and with expressions. Many ways to do the same thing can be frustrating when you need to rework your flow.”
Matt Aldridge, L&D + Automation Lead — TrustRadius, 2024
“The stability of the product is not very good and can even fail with simple projects. The thing which needs the most improvement is really the documentation. It should have better details of the processes.”
RPA Developer — PeerSpot, 2024
Ratings: G2 4.4/5 (589 reviews) · Gartner Peer Insights 4.4–4.5/5 (307+ ratings)
Best for: Organizations deeply embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem. Companies that need desktop RPA alongside cloud automation. Enterprises with existing Microsoft 365 E3/E5 licenses (which include basic Power Automate capabilities).
5. Workato
Workato is an enterprise-grade integration and automation platform (iPaaS) designed for large organizations with complex integration needs. Founded in 2013, it serves 6,000+ companies and focuses on enabling both IT teams and business users to build sophisticated automations through its “recipe” approach.
Key Features
- Enterprise-grade integration — Connects cloud, on-premise, and legacy systems at scale
- 30,000+ community recipes — Pre-built automation templates shared by the community
- Low-code recipe builder — Drag-and-drop interface accessible to non-technical users
- High-volume data processing — Processes tens of millions of records per hour
- Guaranteed data integrity — Built-in distributed queuing system prevents data loss
- Workato One — Newest tier with agentic AI capabilities for adaptive automations
- 1,200+ pre-built connectors — Including deep ERP and CRM integrations
Pricing
Workato does not publish pricing publicly. It uses a usage-based model with two components: a platform edition fee (based on chosen tier) and a usage fee (scales with volume). According to Vendr buyer data, the median annual cost is in the range of $30,000–$60,000+, depending on edition and usage. This makes Workato one of the most expensive options — firmly enterprise-tier.
Pros
- Extremely reliable — “once deployed, solutions do not break”
- Handles massive data volumes and complex integration scenarios
- Low-code interface accessible to junior/non-technical staff
- Extensive pre-built recipe library saves development time
- Strong governance, security, and compliance features
Cons
- Very expensive — not accessible to SMBs or individual users
- No free plan or self-serve pricing
- Requires sales contact for any pricing information
- Steep investment for organizations that may not need enterprise features
- Limitations with HTTP calls reported by some users
Real User Reviews
“User friendly and easy to implement — quick and effective integration capabilities. Democratization of its use enables junior users and non-technical staff to create and work with processes.”
Reviewer — AWS Marketplace (2024)
“Very stable and highly reliable. Once deployed, solutions do not break, making it more reliable than alternatives like Microsoft Power Automate.”
Reviewer — AWS Marketplace (2024)
“Low-code, no-code feature, drag and drop UI, and pre-built connectors result in drastically improved delivery times compared to alternatives like MuleSoft.”
Reviewer — PeerSpot (2025)
Common Criticisms
“Expensive to deploy, and the pricing model pushes you to use it less effectively.”
Tomer C. — G2 (via AWS Marketplace), February 2024
“I find the CSV parsing tool to be a huge blocker since it only parses 50k records. The Lookup Table has a limit of 100k, which blocks us from integrating with more asset records. Sometimes, while writing code in Connector SDK, there are Ruby codes that work in the Ruby compiler but not in the Connector SDK, resulting in function issues.”
Ayan S. — G2 (via AWS Marketplace), December 2025
“The customization capabilities could be enhanced significantly. Having used other integration tools such as Boomi and MuleSoft in the past, the features in Workato appear to be at a primitive stage. The support team has limited ability to assist when issues arise. The deployment process in Workato is complex because new versions require copying rather than overriding, forcing users to perform numerous manual steps.”
Rajni Gaud Bhatt — PeerSpot (via AWS Marketplace), July 2025
Ratings: G2 4.7/5 (527 reviews) · TrustRadius 9.0/10 · PeerSpot 4.1/5 (28 reviews)
Best for: Large enterprises with complex integration requirements across cloud and on-premise systems. Organizations processing high data volumes that need guaranteed reliability. Companies with budget for enterprise automation tooling ($30K+/year).
6. Tray.io (Tray.ai)
Tray.io (now also branded as Tray.ai) is a mid-market to enterprise automation and integration platform that focuses on enabling both technical and business users to build complex automations. It positions itself as the platform that replaces in-house integration teams, with a newer focus on AI agents through its Merlin platform.
Key Features
- 600+ connectors — Pre-built integrations with Connector Builder and SDK for custom connections
- Visual workflow builder — Low-code interface with user interfaces for non-technical users
- Merlin AI Agent Builder — Dedicated AI agent platform with guardrails and audit logs
- Connector SDK — Build custom connectors for proprietary or niche applications
- Static IP — On-premise connectivity without complex networking
- Management API — Programmatic control of automations
- Regional hosting — Available as add-on for data residency requirements
Pricing
Tray.io uses custom pricing. Based on Vendr buyer data: Pro plan offers 250,000 task credits with 3 workspaces, Team plan offers 500,000 with 20 workspaces, and Enterprise offers 750,000 with unlimited workspaces. Estimated annual costs: 200-person companies: $20,800–$33,700. 1,000-person companies: $28,200–$49,300. Median annual cost: $38,640.
Pros
- Excellent balance of ease of use and technical depth
- Strong customer support and responsive team
- Comprehensive logging and search capabilities
- Merlin AI agents add modern capabilities
- Good for teams that need to empower non-technical users
Cons
- Expensive — median cost nearly $40K/year
- No self-serve pricing or free tier
- Limited workflow sharing (personal vs. organizational, no team-level)
- Fewer connectors than Make or Zapier (600+)
- Requires commitment — not suitable for testing or small projects
Real User Reviews
“Better than an in-house integration team.”
Reviewer — SpotSaaS (2025)
“Low Code - Intuitive - helpful community - wonderful support!”
Reviewer — SpotSaaS (2025)
“10x your productivity — the platform simplifies complex data integration and ETL tasks.”
Reviewer — SpotSaaS (2025)
Common Criticisms
“Says they provide a trial but locks the accounts after few hours. And when they send the email saying account is suspended it’s sent via a no-reply address and we are expected to manually add the support email. Cannot even figure the basics it seems.”
SAM — Trustpilot, August 2023
“The way workflows are shared with coworkers is still unreliable. You can only have personal workflows or organizational workflows (i.e. no way to share with a specific team).”
Jonathan C. — G2 (via SpotSaaS), September 2020
“Some processes get a bit complex and support is needed to finish it as they’ll need to explain or propose the correct steps in the workflow, their support response times is usually not the best and hitting complex problems can take a while.”
Gabe R. — G2 (via SpotSaaS), May 2020
Ratings: G2 4.5/5 (156 reviews) · TrustRadius 8.9/10 · SpotSaaS 4.7/5 (113 ratings)
Best for: Mid-market to enterprise companies that need a platform accessible to both technical and business users. Organizations looking to replace in-house integration teams. Companies investing in AI agent capabilities.
7. Pipedream
Pipedream is a developer-first workflow automation platform that uniquely bridges code and no-code automation. Trusted by 800,000+ developers, it was acquired by Workday in November 2025 (which may influence its future direction). It’s the automation platform for people who think in code but want managed infrastructure.
Key Features
- Full code support — Write JavaScript, Python, Go, and Bash directly in workflows
- 2,800+ pre-built integrations — Large connector library with OAuth management
- Serverless runtime — Write code without managing infrastructure
- Webhook support — Native HTTP trigger and webhook handling
- GitHub Sync — Version control for workflows
- AI tokens — Built-in AI token allowances on all plans
- Pipedream Connect — Build integrations for external users (Connect plan)
Pricing
Pros
- Best-in-class developer experience for code-oriented automation
- Supports multiple languages (JS, Python, Go, Bash)
- No infrastructure management required
- Strong webhook and API integration capabilities
- Large integration library (2,800+)
Cons
- Requires coding knowledge — not suitable for non-technical users
- Free plan very limited (3 active workflows, 100 credits)
- Basic plan still limits to 10 active workflows
- Workday acquisition creates uncertainty about future direction
- Less suitable for complex multi-step visual workflows
Real User Reviews
“I’ve been using Pipedream to manage process automation for almost two years now. For me it’s the perfect blend of no/low-code that actually makes me more efficient at my job. I don’t feel like I’m creating clumsy automation because I have the right level of control.”
theworstdev — Product Hunt (2025)
“Pipedream feels like a developer’s nirvana version of other no-code tools that gives you a lot of capabilities with code, but can handle things from a no-code standpoint as well.”
David Waters — LinkedIn
Common Criticisms
“I saw an interview with their CEO who said this was great for someone who isn’t a coder. Well, $100+ and 10 hours later, I can attest that isn’t true. The AI just doesn’t do a good job creating the automations. The system burns through credits very fast. I cancelled the service but they billed me for the renewal anyway.”
Spencer — Trustpilot, August 2025
“Former advocate and affiliate partner turned hater here. Over the last 2–3 years, I have had tremendous amounts of trouble with Pipedream’s product and team. The product would just magically break, the team would try to upsell me rather than address my questions directly.”
Drake Ballew — Trustpilot, May 2025
“I was testing out Pipedream for a business idea, I had to use one of their features that required an Advanced Plan, so I decided to try out their 7-day free trial. After cancelling the advanced plan, they kept trying to debit my credit card and take $588 from my account. The worst thing is, they don’t allow you to cancel your card’s details on their website.”
Raymond — Trustpilot, February 2025
Ratings: GetApp 5.0/5 · Product Hunt 33+ positive reviews
Best for: Developers who want to write real code within automated workflows. Growth teams with engineering support. Anyone who needs serverless function execution alongside workflow automation.
8. Activepieces
Activepieces is an open-source, no-code automation platform that positions itself as the community-driven Zapier alternative. With an MIT-licensed core and 270+ contributors, it emphasizes predictable pricing with unlimited runs — a direct counter to the per-task billing model of Zapier and Make.
Key Features
- Open-source core — MIT licensed, self-hostable, 270+ contributors
- 621+ integrations — Growing library with community contributions
- Unlimited runs — Paid plans don’t charge per task/operation
- AI agents — Multi-agent orchestration and MCP server support
- Flat pricing — Pay per active flow, not per execution
- SOC 2 Type II compliant — Enterprise-grade security on cloud plans
- Tables — Built-in data storage
Pricing
The per-active-flow pricing means costs scale with the number of automations you run, not how many times they execute. For high-volume, repetitive automations, this can be significantly cheaper than per-task models.
Pros
- True open-source with MIT license
- Unlimited runs removes cost anxiety around high-volume automations
- User-friendly interface — praised as having better UX than Make and Zapier
- Active development with frequent updates
- Self-hosting option for data sovereignty
Cons
- Smaller integration library than Make or Zapier (621+ vs 3,000+ or 8,000+)
- Some AppSumo lifetime deal holders report issues with plan transitions
- Learning curve for advanced features
- Smaller community than n8n or Make
- Newer platform — less battle-tested at enterprise scale
Real User Reviews
“Easy-to-use, flexible, and Open-Source no-code automation tool. I’m all in after comparing it to other tools like n8n, Make.com, and Pabbly Connect.”
gs-sumo — AppSumo (verified, 2023)
“A hidden gem that transformed my business world — the superhero of automation tools.”
hellodas — AppSumo (verified)
“Active Pieces did not comply with the terms of the lifetime agreement and did not correctly map to the new subscription plans.”
Linuxx — AppSumo (September 2025) — Note: relates to AppSumo lifetime deal transitions
Common Criticisms
“Everyone who purchased the Activepieces ‘lifetime plan’ now finds their plan downgraded to a slightly improved free plan with a higher number of tasks allowed. That’s it. Browsing the platform now is a traumatic experience, as almost everything is locked and we keep seeing ‘upgrade now’ everywhere. We can’t even provide API keys for AI providers in the settings!”
Anonymous AppSumo member — AppSumo, July 2025
“Disappointed by Activepieces: Poor Leadership & Lack of Respect for Early Supporters. There’s a consistent pattern of ignoring feedback, making abrupt decisions, and failing to show genuine respect for those who helped get the product off the ground. Many of us purchased lifetime access on AppSumo with the expectation that our support would be valued long-term. Instead, ongoing updates seem increasingly tailored to new users or paid subscribers, leaving lifetime users out in the cold.”
Kevin — Trustpilot, July 2025
“We received no advance notice about these substantial pricing changes. More concerning, we were automatically moved from our paid plan to a trial plan without any notification or explanation. Your current Plus plan ($25/month) advertises ‘unlimited tasks’ but restricts users to only 10 active flows. This is fundamentally misleading.”
Jenn — Trustpilot, July 2025
Ratings: G2 4.8/5 (128 reviews) · Product Hunt 4.9/5 (16 reviews) · Trustpilot 4.3/5 (131 reviews) · AppSumo 4.0/5 (127 reviews)
Best for: Open-source enthusiasts, teams with high-volume automations that want predictable costs, organizations needing self-hosting, and users who prioritize a clean, modern UI.
9. IFTTT
IFTTT (“If This Then That”) is the original consumer automation platform, founded in 2011. It pioneered the concept of connecting apps and devices with simple conditional logic. While it’s less powerful than other tools on this list for business automation, it remains the best option for simple personal automations and smart home integration, serving over 30 million users globally.
Key Features
- 1,000+ services — Broad coverage of consumer apps, smart home devices, and IoT platforms
- Simple trigger-action model — Create “Applets” with straightforward if-this-then-that logic
- Smart home excellence — Best-in-class integration with Ring, Blink, Hue, WeMo, Google Home, Alexa
- Mobile app — Full mobile experience for managing automations on the go
- Pre-made Applets — Explore tab with ready-to-use automations
- Webhooks — Available on Pro plan for custom integrations
- AI services — Available on Pro+ plan
Pricing
Annual billing saves 40% ($35.88/yr for Pro, $107.88/yr for Pro+).
Pros
- Simplest automation tool on the market — zero learning curve
- Best for smart home and IoT automations
- Very affordable ($2.99/month for Pro)
- Massive library of pre-built Applets
- Mobile-first experience
Cons
- Very limited for business automation — simple trigger-action only
- Free plan restricted to just 2 Applets
- No complex logic, branching, or multi-step workflows (without Pro)
- Slower execution speeds than competitors
- Limited API and developer features
- Not suitable for data-heavy or enterprise workflows
Real User Reviews
“Slick and extremely useful for creating automated workflows that boost productivity and make life easier.”
PCMag — PCMag (4.0/5 “Excellent” rating)
“I was excited about all the possibilities of streamlining my life so that I could focus on more important things.”
User — TechRadar
Common Criticisms
“A service that could be great, but instead is very unreliable. Doesn’t fire the trigger at the right time — the delay keeps increasing to the point that there is a several hours (or more) delay for a trigger where more than a 1 minute delay would not be acceptable. I was looking forward to becoming their pro customer, but was persuaded away by their seriously delayed triggers!”
Tabish Shamim — Trustpilot, September 2025
“Youtube doesn’t work, Discord doesn’t work, Instagram didn’t work for a while. 3 major services with problems. Makes me question does anything even work? I paid pro and since nothing worked asked for a refund and was denied.”
Rodrigo Graça — Trustpilot, January 2025
“In 2020 they offered to move me to a Pro subscription on the basis I could fix a price forever, as features I was using were no longer free. In 2024, they decided to define ‘forever’ as 3.5 years, and proceeded to double my subscription price. I cancelled immediately and found another solution.”
George Leverington — Trustpilot, December 2024
Ratings: G2 4.6/5 (111 reviews) · Gartner Peer Insights 4.8/5 (7 ratings)
Best for: Personal automation, smart home enthusiasts, IoT device management, non-technical users who need the simplest possible automation tool. Not recommended for business-critical workflows.
10. Pabbly Connect
Pabbly Connect is a budget-focused automation platform that differentiates itself with lifetime deal pricing and a generous task-counting model. Founded in India, it’s trusted by 14,000+ businesses and focuses on affordability over advanced features. It’s the automation tool for users who want reliable workflows without recurring subscription anxiety.
Key Features
- 2,000+ integrations — Covers CRMs, email marketing, e-commerce, and more
- Smart task counting — Only action steps consume tasks; triggers, filters, routers, and delays are free
- Lifetime deal option — One-time payment starting at $249 for permanent access
- Unlimited workflows — All plans, including free tier, offer unlimited workflow count
- Multi-step workflows — Connect multiple apps in sequence
- Webhooks — Free webhooks that don’t count against task limits
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Pricing
The smart task counting is Pabbly’s key differentiator — only action steps consume your monthly allowance. Internal tasks (filters, routers, formatters, delays) don’t count, giving you effectively 2–3x more executions than competitors for the same task count.
Pros
- Extremely affordable, especially with lifetime deals
- Smart task counting means more value per dollar
- Unlimited workflows on all plans
- Simple, straightforward interface
- SOC2 Type 2 and ISO 27001:2022 certified
- Extensive video tutorial library (11,000+ tutorials)
Cons
- Limited workflow branching — primarily linear workflows
- Fewer integrations than Zapier (2,000 vs 8,000+) or Make (3,000+)
- No AI features — entirely rules-based
- No self-hosting option
- Less sophisticated than Make or n8n for complex logic
- Hidden monthly pricing (buried in FAQs; site pushes annual plans)
Real User Reviews
“The best Zapier alternative — powerful automation at a fraction of the cost.”
Reviewer — StartupTalky (2025)
“Easy to use for automating repetitive tasks — helped automate Google review requests after bookings.”
User — Product Hunt (2025)
“Pabbly Connect is recommended for users seeking affordable automation who don’t need advanced branching capabilities.”
Reviewer — Creative Advisor (2025)
Common Criticisms
“Great product but the WORST customer service. I say this as someone who deals with customers, and as a consumer. Every email enquiry is met with ‘please explain your issue’. It’s like they don’t read, or can’t understand. Either way it’s frustrating AF. Might have to bail as it’s just not in line with modern digital business to have such poor responses and response times.”
Suzie — Trustpilot, March 2025
“I have been pulling my hair out with Pabbly. They don’t read email support tickets properly and only ever reply with screenshots of the triggers they think you should be using. These are almost always wrong and it just shows laziness on behalf of their support for not reading your email properly. If you’re lucky you’ll get one reply in 24 hours and then it’s like they write it off as ‘solved.’”
Jimbob — Trustpilot, March 2024
“I paid for the most inclusive lifetime deal you can get with Pabbly months ago, knowing that it falls short in many areas and hoping they would continue to move forward and compete. They don’t seem to be working at all, and the way they advertise the lifetime deal over any type of progress is more than worrisome. It feels like a fly-by-night, cash-grab type of SaaS. The native integrations are few, and not growing.”
ZP PharmD — Trustpilot, August 2023
Ratings: Product Hunt 4.9/5 (7 reviews) · Capterra ~4.5/5
Best for: Budget-conscious solopreneurs and small businesses, users who want lifetime pricing to avoid recurring costs, simple-to-moderate automation needs that don’t require complex branching logic.
Why People Switch from Zapier to Competitors
Based on analysis of community forums, Reddit discussions, review sites, and user testimonials, these are the most common reasons users switch away from Zapier:
1. Pricing That Scales Poorly
Zapier’s per-task billing creates a direct relationship between automation usage and cost. As businesses grow, automation costs can spiral unpredictably. Users have compared Zapier bills to AWS spending in terms of cost management complexity. The Professional plan’s jump from 750 tasks ($19.99/mo) to higher tiers creates significant cost pressure.
2. Per-Task Model Punishes Efficiency
Multi-step Zaps consume one task per step. A 5-step workflow uses 5 tasks per execution. Competitors like Latenode (credit-based), Pabbly (action-only counting), and Activepieces (unlimited runs) fundamentally change this equation.
3. Limited Customization
Teams with developer resources feel constrained by Zapier’s limited code capabilities. While Zapier offers Code by Zapier steps, they’re sandboxed and limited compared to the full JavaScript/NPM access in Latenode or the multi-language support in Pipedream and n8n.
4. Support Quality
Multiple users report relying on automated chat with difficulty reaching human support. The Zapier Community forum contains posts describing failed upgrades, billing errors, and business impact from unresolved issues.
5. No Self-Hosting Option
For privacy-conscious organizations or those with data residency requirements, Zapier offers no self-hosting option. n8n and Activepieces fill this gap directly.
6. Debugging Complex Workflows
As workflows become more complex, Zapier’s debugging tools become insufficient. Users describe “tribal knowledge” problems where complex Zaps aren’t transparent or easy to troubleshoot when they break.
How to Choose the Right Zapier Alternative
Choosing the right automation platform depends on your specific context. Here are the key decision criteria:
Budget & Pricing Model
- Tightest budget? Pabbly Connect (lifetime deals) or IFTTT ($2.99/mo)
- Best value for growing usage? Latenode (credit-based pricing) or Activepieces (unlimited runs)
- Enterprise budget available? Workato or Tray.io
- Free forever? n8n Community (self-hosted) or Activepieces (self-hosted)
Technical Skill Level
- Non-technical? IFTTT (simplest), Make (visual but powerful), or Zapier itself
- Comfortable with APIs? Make, Latenode, or Activepieces
- Developer/coder? Pipedream (multi-language), n8n (JS/Python), or Latenode (full JS + NPM)
Scale Requirements
- Personal/hobby? IFTTT or free tiers of any platform
- SMB (1K–50K tasks/month)? Latenode, Make, or Activepieces
- Enterprise (100K+ tasks/month)? Workato, Tray.io, or n8n self-hosted
Specific Needs
- AI-heavy workflows? Latenode (400+ models included, no API keys)
- Microsoft ecosystem? Power Automate
- Self-hosting/data sovereignty? n8n or Activepieces
- Smart home/IoT? IFTTT
- Desktop RPA? Power Automate
- Maximum integrations? Make (3,000+) or Zapier (8,000+)
Evaluation Checklist
Before committing to any platform, test these:
- 1Build your most common workflow — Does the platform handle it smoothly?
- 2Calculate your real cost — Model your actual monthly usage on each platform’s pricing
- 3Test error handling — Break something on purpose. How easy is it to debug?
- 4Check integration coverage — Do they support the specific apps you use daily?
- 5Evaluate support — Submit a test question and measure response time/quality
- 6Consider the learning curve — How long until your team is productive?
FAQ: Common Questions About Switching from Zapier
Can I migrate my existing Zaps to another platform?
No platform offers direct Zap import. You’ll need to rebuild workflows manually on the new platform. However, most alternatives support the same apps, so the logic translates even if the interface differs. Start by migrating your most expensive or most-run Zaps first.
Will I lose any integrations by switching?
Possibly. Zapier has the largest integration library (8,000+ apps). If you rely on niche integrations, check the new platform’s connector list first. Most alternatives support custom HTTP/webhook connections as a fallback for unsupported apps.
How much money can I actually save?
It depends on your usage pattern. For context: Zapier: 100K tasks/month costs ~$733–$898/month (Professional plan). Latenode: Comparable workload estimated at ~$19/month. Make: 100K credits at $9/month base + additional credit packs. n8n: Self-hosted is free (plus infrastructure); Cloud varies by execution count. Pabbly: Lifetime deal for 10K tasks/month costs $699 one-time.
Is it risky to use a newer/smaller platform?
There’s inherent risk in choosing a less established platform. Mitigate it by: testing thoroughly during free trial periods, checking the company’s funding, team size, and update frequency, evaluating community activity and support responsiveness, and starting with non-critical workflows before migrating everything.
What about data security when switching?
Most platforms are SOC 2 compliant and support encryption in transit and at rest. For maximum security, self-hosted options (n8n, Activepieces) give you complete data control. Always review the platform’s security documentation and data processing agreements.
Can I use multiple automation platforms together?
Yes, and many teams do. A common pattern is using Zapier for simple, well-supported integrations while using a more powerful/affordable platform (like Latenode or n8n) for complex, high-volume workflows. Webhooks make cross-platform orchestration straightforward.
What are the best free Zapier alternatives?
Several platforms offer genuinely free plans: Latenode (300 executions/month), Make (1,000 credits/month), n8n Community Edition (unlimited, self-hosted), Activepieces (10 active flows), IFTTT (2 applets), and Pipedream (100 credits). For truly free, unlimited automation, n8n’s self-hosted Community Edition is the strongest option if you have technical expertise.
Who are Zapier’s biggest competitors?
Zapier’s main competitors in 2026 are Make (formerly Integromat), n8n, Microsoft Power Automate, and Latenode. Make is the closest direct competitor for visual workflow building. n8n leads in open-source and self-hosting. Power Automate dominates Microsoft-centric organizations. Latenode competes on AI features and pricing. For enterprise, Workato and Tray.io are the primary Zapier competitors.
Which Zapier Alternative Is Right for You?
There's no single “best” Zapier alternative — the right choice depends on your context.
If you want the best overall value with AI capabilities: Latenode offers the most competitive pricing, 400+ built-in AI models, full JavaScript with NPM packages, and a headless browser — features that no other platform bundles at this price point. It’s the strongest choice for teams building AI-powered automations who don’t want to manage separate API subscriptions.
If you need the most powerful visual builder: Make remains the gold standard for complex, multi-step visual workflows. Its scenario builder, data transformation tools, and 3,000+ integrations make it the best upgrade from Zapier for non-technical users who need more power.
If you want full control and self-hosting: n8n is the clear choice. Free to self-host, fully open-source, and powerful enough for the most complex workflows. The trade-off is a steeper learning curve and DevOps overhead.
If you’re in a Microsoft shop: Power Automate is the only real option. Its deep Microsoft 365 integration, desktop RPA, and inclusion in many enterprise licenses make it the natural choice — despite its limitations outside the Microsoft ecosystem.
If you’re enterprise and need guaranteed reliability: Workato and Tray.io serve this market. Workato is the more established player with higher volumes, while Tray.io offers a good balance of accessibility and power with its newer AI agent capabilities.
If you’re a developer who thinks in code: Pipedream provides the best developer experience — write real code in multiple languages with managed infrastructure. Just be aware of the Workday acquisition’s potential impact.
If you’re open-source and budget-conscious: Activepieces is the rising star — MIT-licensed, unlimited runs on paid plans, and a clean UI. Watch for its continued development.
If you just need simple automations on a tight budget: IFTTT / Pabbly Connect IFTTT (for consumer/smart home) or Pabbly Connect (for business workflows with lifetime pricing) offer the lowest cost of entry.
The automation market is more competitive than ever. Zapier's massive integration library and brand recognition still make it a solid default choice for simple workflows. But if you're hitting pricing ceilings, need custom code, want AI capabilities, or require self-hosting, the alternatives have genuinely caught up — and in many cases, surpassed it.
Try the Best Free Zapier Alternative
Latenode offers 300 free executions, 400+ AI models, and a visual builder with full JavaScript support. No credit card required.
Start Building FreeLast updated: February 2026. Pricing and features may change. Always verify current details on each platform's official website.