5 Zapier Alternatives 2024 (Free & Paid)

Workflow automation builders exist to help businesses complete tasks more effectively and efficiently, even without technical knowledge. The concept of using these platforms to automate time-consuming tasks isn’t new. But you can build a workflow in more than one way, using more than one platform. How do you choose what’s most suitable for you?

Zapier is known as the go-to workflow automation platform. As one of the earliest integration softwares with the greatest number of compatible apps, it’s what people think of when trying to send data across applications and without code.

But over the years, many alternatives have emerged to fulfill the diverse needs of the market. In this article, we’ll be diving into a few of the most notable Zapier alternatives so you can decide which one is the right fit for you.

Zapier: The Go-to Workflow Automation Platform

The SaaS (Software as a Service) industry is valued at more than $170 billion, and more and more solutions are being put out to the public every day. But because each one only serves a certain purpose, companies often have dozens of applications in their tech stack.

iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) tools like Zapier makes sending data across applications easier by communicating with them via API (Application Programming Interface). This allows you to complete entire tasks (onboarding new clients, sending automated emails, generating digital assets, etc.) that span several tools without having to manually carry them out.

Zapier’s workflow automation pricing ranges from free for basic individual use to $69 per month for a team plan with up to 2,000 tasks. Those in need of more can select a higher task tier, which will reduce the cost-per-task. Companies scaling automation across teams can also contact sales for a custom quote.

There are times when businesses feel Zapier might not be the best fit for them, whether it be because of the pricing model or integrated app options. Let’s take a look at some alternatives that might better answer their needs.

5 Zapier Alternatives in 2024

Make: A Visually Intuitive Platform

Make (formerly Integromat) is one of Zapier’s strongest contenders. It has a distinctive visual builder that uses circular nodes to build scenarios ranging from simple to complex.

Over 1,000 apps are pre-built into Make, and more advanced users can connect to more public APIs with the HTTP app. Features such as flow control, data manipulation, filtering, and error handling give users more control over their scenarios and maximize the chances of successful deployment.

Make’s pricing starts from a free plan for 1,000 ops a month to $29 per month for 10,000 ops a month. Higher ops tiers and enterprise plans are also available.

🔑 Key Features:

• Over 1,000 app integrations
• Drag-and-drop interface
• Data manipulation features to allow for more control

😍 What We Liked:

• More intuitive workflow visualizer for complex scenarios
• HTTP/Webhooks support for connecting to more apps
• Beginner-friendly documentation and starter templates

😐 What We Didn’t Like:

• Pricing for large-scale use is not transparent
• Steeper learning curve to the visual interface

💭 Overall Thoughts:

Make is an excellent choice for businesses who need task automation software for friendlier prices. While it can be tricky to learn, it is intuitive enough for non-technical users. That said, fewer built-in apps means you should check to see whether everything you need is supported.

Workato: An Enterprise-First Platform

Workato caters more to enterprises and large corporations, as evidenced by its direct quote pricing strategy. Rather than focus on automating tasks, they pride themselves on automating full business processes that involve several applications, systems, and data sources.

Advanced features such as formula functions and data parsers give companies greater control over their data. Because everything is hosted on the cloud, Workato assures enterprise-grade security.

Workato’s prices are known to be on the higher end, but companies can schedule a demo and get a custom quote that matches their use.

🔑 Key Features:

• Over 1,000 app integrations
• Custom-built business process automation solutions
• Priority on security and governance

😍 What We Liked:

• Active community constantly sharing new ready-to-use recipes
• Solutions are organized by function, app, and use case
• Easy-to-integrate Enterprise Chatbots

😐 What We Didn’t Like:

• Pricing is not transparent
• Free trial only available after demo

💭 Overall Thoughts:

Large enterprises with complex workflows might find themselves benefitting from Workato’s custom solutions, but they have to be willing to pay the price. Small businesses and individuals will likely find that other platforms suit them better.

Tray.io: An Advanced Platform for Technical Users

Tray.io is another platform targeting enterprise businesses. With a universal connector that works with all RESTful APIs, users can access a wide variety of apps. However, there are only over 600 pre-built connectors, meaning Tray.io is not as plug-and-play as larger providers.

Aside from being an iPaaS, Tray.io also can be considered a business process management solution and ETL (Extract, Transform, and Load) tool. These advanced capabilities mean that the platform might not be suitable for non-technical users.

Advanced features come with a bigger price tag, and potential customers need to reach out for a custom quote. That said, pricing is by volume so companies can expect to pay just enough for their use.

🔑 Key Features:

• Over 600 app integrations
• Drag-and-drop workflow builder
• Solutions for complex processes across entire application stacks

😍 What We Liked:

• Free trial available
• Academy resources to ease the learning curve
• Separate stand-up development, Q/A, staging, and production environments

😐 What We Didn’t Like:

• Pricing is not transparent
• Limited native integrations

💭 Overall Thoughts:

Tray.io can build custom enterprise solutions and streamline entire processes—but for a significant price. They can be a great option for companies with complex needs, larger budgets, and a technical team. However, they might not be suitable for smaller businesses or those looking for plug-and-play solutions.

Quickwork: A Flexible Platform

Quickwork is an integration platform with an impressive number of app integrations, given its relatively small size. Features are extensive, and users can build anything from simple workflows with built-in apps to complex processes with public APIs. Workflow execution and data storage can either be hosted online or on-prem, depending on your needs.

Quickwork’s pricing ranges from $20 to $199 per month with a generous number of tasks and operations. Users can start with a 14-day free trial that offers access to 1,000+ apps, at the end of which they can decide whether the plan meets their needs.

🔑 Key Features:

• Over 1,000 app integrations
• Drag-and-drop workflow builder
• Enterprise-grade features

😍 What We Liked:

• Supports real-time, polling, scheduled, and manual triggers
• Comes with a library of pre-built functions
• 14-day free trial period

😐 What We Didn’t Like:

• Inactive user forum and relatively small community
• Limited programming language support for functions (Node.js only)

💭 Overall Thoughts:

Quickwork is a flexible platform that can answer the needs of businesses ranging from SMEs to larger corporations. However, they have a small team and community, meaning that it might be difficult to get quick feedback and support.

n8n: A Platform for the Tech-savvy

n8n is a growing automation platform with a beautiful visual platform that handles branching, merging, and iteration with ease. With features such as self-hosting and custom HTTP nodes, this is definitely something more suitable for tech-savvy users.

Advanced features are extensive, but because there are only 220+ app integrations, non-technical people might struggle to get their workflows off the ground.

While n8n's pricing does not offer a free tier, they remain affordable. Monthly subscription fees begin at €20 for 5 active workflows and 2,500 workflow executions, going up to €50 for 15 active workflows and 10,000 workflow executions.

🔑 Key Features:

• Over 220 app integrations
• HTTP node for custom app integration
• Classified as fair-code licensed under the Sustainable Use License

😍 What We Liked:

• Free trial available
• Exportable workflows
• Sensitive data can be hosted on-prem
• Engaged, growing community

😐 What We Didn’t Like:

• Relatively difficult to set up
• Limited native integrations

💭 Overall Thoughts:

n8n’s user base and community is quickly growing, so they are an excellent option for individuals and businesses who want an affordable custom solution but have the technical ability and patience to work through completely new use cases. If you are a non-technical user and speed to deployment is a priority, this might not be the platform for you!

✨ Bonus - IFTTT: Nocode, but on Mobile

IFTTT (If This, Then That) is a mobile-friendly nocode platform that connects apps, devices, and services. Unlike many of the other platforms above, it focuses on automating tasks on your mobile device, from your mobile device. The app is available for both Android OS and iOS.

Task flows are called “Applets,” and they can include conditional logic to process incoming data and refine output. The platform is extremely user-intuitive, and while there aren’t nearly as many built-in app integrations compared to enterprise platforms like Zapier, IFTTT offers solutions for niche use cases.

A completely free tier is available for individuals who only need 2 Applets and unlimited runs. At $2.92 and $12.50 a month, paid tiers are still incredibly affordable.

🔑 Key Features:

• Over 700 app integrations
• Intuitive, mobile-friendly interface
• Smart device integration capabilities

😍 What We Liked:

• Simple interface with little-to-no learning curve
• Free plan for individual use
• Extremely affordable

😐 What We Didn’t Like:

• Limited app integrations
• No web app

💭 Overall Thoughts:

IFTTT is a fascinating platform that stands out in its ability to integrate with smart devices and build task flows directly from a mobile app. However, its business capabilities are limited, making it more geared towards individuals and tech enthusiasts.

Selecting the Best Nocode Automation Platform for You

In 2024, we aren’t short of options when it comes to integration and automation solutions. Whether you’re looking for an enterprise-grade platform with thousands of integrations or an extremely specialized solution with just a handful of apps, there is something out there for you.

Many of the platforms above have free trials or free plans, so don’t be afraid to experiment. The right software for your needs is out there—you just have to find it.