We all know how tedious some tasks can be, especially if they require additional effort. It gets so annoying that Zapier made a business out of simplifying it. But is it the only option out there? The short answer is no. There are several Zapier alternatives to evaluate.
Yes, we’re aware that Zapier is a powerful, innovative workflow automation tool that connects organizations to different web applications and efficiently automates repetitive tasks. However, there are various reasons why the tool falls short.
In this article, we’ll explore nine Zapier competitors, delving into the details of key features, use cases, and pricing options. Let's get started!
Enterprise Workflow Automation: Benefits, Examples, And Templates
Why do you need to look for a Zapier alternative?
Despite various strengths, here are some reasons businesses look for other options than Zapier:
- Difficulty in automating complex workflows automation.
- Inability to cater to highly specialized requirements of certain niche businesses.
- Difficulty in ensuring data protection and regulatory compliance.
8 Zapier competitors for business automation
1. Integromat (now Make)
Did you know 44% of HR managers want to deploy cloud solutions for increased business efficiency and productivity, while another 35% look at it as a way to reduce costs?
Now, picture a tool that can help you visualize automation.
That's where Make comes into the picture. One of the leading visual platforms, Make, helps design, build, and automate everything and anything. Businesses can automate everything from small, repetitive tasks to complex workflows without coding skills.
Key features:
- Real-time integration: Ensures instant and seamless data synchronization across teams as changes occur, ensuring that everyone is working with the most up-to-date information.
- Pre-built and custom connectors: Facilitates communication between software apps with the help of multiple ready-made connectors.
- Flow Designer: Creates and manages automated workflows easily with a powerful visual tool.
- Data mapping: Ensures all your data is correctly mapped from one system to another, ensuring accurate and meaningful data exchange.
Use cases
- Inventory and supply chain management
- Company data management
- Billing and invoicing
- Social media management
Pricing
- Free
- Core: Starts at $9/month
- Pro: Starts at $16/month
- Teams: Starts at $29/month
2. Microsoft Power Automate
Here's another powerful automation tool that integrates seamlessly into your business workflows - Microsoft Power Automate.
Formerly known as Microsoft Flow, Microsoft Power Automate is an automation tool that helps organizations develop automated workflows between various apps and services. It's included by default in both Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Office 365 packages, making it a cost-effective solution.
Key features:
- AI processing: Leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze data, enabling businesses to gain actionable insights and make informed decisions.
- Visual editor: Provides a user-friendly interface for businesses to design customized workflows, catering to their specific, unique use cases.
- Sharing permissions: Allows users to control data access and seamlessly manage collaboration among team members by laying out specific data-sharing rules.
- Bot deployment with AI: Eases creating and implementing intelligent bots that help automate mundane, repetitive tasks.
- Workflow recording: Creates detailed workflow templates by capturing user actions.
Use cases
- Creating innovative digital productivity solutions strategy
- Enable internal process automation
- End-to-end automation
- Reduce business handling times
- Automate sales, purchasing, and distribution process
Pricing
- Free trial
- Power Automate Premium: $15 per user/month
- Power Automate Process: $155/bot/month
3. Automate.io
Automation.io is an excellent choice for automating day-to-day work, from startups to full-blown enterprises, from manufacturing to a data engineering company.
It is a no-code automation and iPaaS platform that leverages various cloud applications to automate repetitive, recurring tasks, ultimately enhancing overall productivity.
Key features:
- Collaborative playbooks: Empowers teams to create and share step-by-step guidelines for implementing processes.
- Automated workflows: Helps businesses streamline operations by automating repetitive tasks.
- Customizable forms: Enables users to personalize data entry forms to fit specific needs.
- Extensive integration options: Provides various connectors to integrate with multiple third-party applications.
Use cases
- Lender and broker automation
- Debt management and insolvency automation
Pricing
- Team: $99/month
- Business: Custom pricing
4. Workato
Introduced as one of the earliest integration platforms, Workato is now reimagined as an enterprise automation tool, enabling organizations to transform their workflows and tap into the growth mindset.
From marketing to support to sales, the tool offers integration for numerous applications designed to scale and significantly minimize operating costs and expenses.
Key features:
- Experience automation: Enhances and streamlines user interactions with automated processes.
- No-code app development: Enables users to build custom applications without writing code or requiring coding skills.
- Process overview: Provides a single, comprehensive source of truth about all ongoing processes to improve overall business management.
- Event streams: Captures and processes real-time event data, enabling immediate analysis and action.
Use cases
- Seamless omnichannel experience
- Improving employee experience
- Simplified HR automation
- Improved security compliance
- Cash flow predictability
Pricing
- Free trial
- 3 cloud-based pricing options: $119 to $2199.
- Annual cost: $15,000 to $50,000, depending on integration styles, connections, and workspace configuration.
5. PlayAI
PlayAI is a powerful AI-driven workflow automation tool designed to streamline business processes. Leveraging advanced AI technologies, PlayAI offers highly realistic AI voice generator capabilities that enhance various business operations.
Key features:
- Ultra-realistic Text-to-Speech (TTS): Generate human-like voices for diverse applications, ensuring natural and engaging audio outputs.
- Voice Cloning: Create custom AI voices that capture every accent and dialect, perfect for personalized voice interactions.
- Comprehensive Integration: Seamlessly connects with various platforms and technology stacks, enabling smooth data flow and automation.
- Data Security: Robust security measures to ensure data integrity, confidentiality, and availability.
Use cases
- AI voiceovers for videos
- Create engaging audio content
- Develop interactive voice agents
- Create immersive learning materials
Pricing
- Starting at $31.20
6. Pabbly Connect
A popular web-based platform, Pabbly Connect is designed for all kinds of business use cases. The tool helps enterprises connect with multiple applications and automate tasks seamlessly. From reports to tasks to workflows, everything can be automated with a single click, all without the need for coding.
Key features:
- Advanced multi-step workflows: Enables the creation of complex, multi-stage processes specific to any business use case.
- No-code automation: Offers users a platform that requires no coding skills to automate tasks.
- Real-time data transfer: Ensures instant, synchronized data sharing across different systems.
- Triggers: Enables users to initiate certain actions or workflows based on specific conditions.
Use cases
- Efficient email marketing
- Accurate billing
- Subscription billing
- Multi-tier affiliate management
Pricing
- Free
- Standard: $16/month
- PRO: $33/month
- Ultimate: $67/month
7. IFTTT (IF This Then What)
Automating tasks is one thing, but IFTTT (aka IF This Then That) takes it to the next level.
It brings smart homes into the picture.
The name "IFTTT" comes from the programming statement "if this, then that."
The company provides a unique, innovative, and powerful platform that connects various sources of apps, services, and devices to trigger one or more automations involving the same apps, devices, and services.
Key features:
- Cloud data integration: Connects and shares data across different cloud-based applications.
- Activity dashboard: Offers a centralized view of all user activities, business workflows, and system operations.
- CRM: Manages multiple customer relationships, including interactions, to enhance business efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Connectivity Management: Controls connections between different systems and applications for smooth operation.
Use cases
- Customer communications
- Lead marketing
- Smart homes
- AI tools
- Social media management
- Content creation
Pricing
- IFTTT Pro (Individuals): $3/month
- IFTTT Developer: $199/year
8. N8n
Leveraging a fair-code distribution model, n8n is a workflow automation that always:
- Has visibility into source code
- Allows addition of custom functions, apps, and logic
Key features:
- Customized error handling: Comes with personalized responses and solutions, catering to specific business needs and different error scenarios.
- Visual workflow editor: Provides a graphical interface to design and manage workflows easily.
- User Management: Facilitates control over user roles, access, and permissions.
- Conditional logic and branching: Enables business workflows to follow different routes based on specific conditions and decisions.
Use cases
- All round communication apps
- Personalized marketing campaigns
- Advanced peak management system
Pricing
- Starter: $20/month
- Pro: $50/month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
9. Elastic.io
Elastic.io is a cloud-native, microservices-based integration platform-as-a-service (iPaaS) that acts as a middleware between on-premise applications, public clouds, and private environments.
The platform offers several predefined connectors and delivers standardized development tools for building custom integration connectors.
Key features:
- Intuitive data mapping: Simplifies the process of defining and configuring how data moves between different systems.
- Integration visualization: Provides graphical representations of integrated systems and data flows for easier comprehension.
- Easy troubleshooting: Facilitates quick identification and resolution of issues within the integration process.
Use cases
- Facilitating mergers and acquisitions
- Reducing customer churn for SaaS solutions
- Delivering exceptional customer experience
- Targeted marketing campaigns
Pricing
- Small: $199/month
- Medium: $499/month
- Enterprise: $999/month
How to select the best Zapier alternative?
When choosing an alternative to Zapier for business automation, it's essential to consider several key factors to ensure you select the best tool for your needs. Here are five crucial criteria to keep in mind:
- Ease of use - The automation tool should have an intuitive interface that is easy to navigate. A drag-and-drop workflow builder can significantly reduce the learning curve, enabling you to set up and modify workflows without requiring extensive technical knowledge.
- Customization and flexibility - A good automation tool should allow you to customize workflows to meet your specific business requirements. Look for features like conditional logic, customizable triggers, and the ability to create tailored automation rules to suit your unique processes.
- Advanced features - Advanced features such as AI-driven automation, AI voice generator capabilities, and predictive analytics can provide a significant edge. These features not only enhance the efficiency of your workflows but also offer innovative solutions that can streamline operations and improve customer interactions.
- Integration capabilities - Ensure the tool can integrate seamlessly with the software and applications your business already uses. Comprehensive integration capabilities allow for smooth data flow between different systems, enhancing overall efficiency.
- Scalability - As your business grows, your automation needs will likely evolve. Choose a tool that can scale with your business, offering the flexibility to handle increasing workloads and more complex workflows without compromising performance.
Conclusion
Although Zapier offers multiple features and benefits, numerous alternatives are worth exploring to significantly enhance your business automation efforts.
If you carefully evaluate these alternatives, you can find the best fit to:
- Increase productivity
- Streamline your processes
- Drive business growth
Embracing the right automation tool will empower your business to operate more efficiently and focus on strategic goals, ultimately leading to sustained success.
About the Author:
This article was created in collaboration with Joy D'Cruz – a content marketing specialist currently working with SaSHunt. Joy has a keen interest in researching topics related to B2B and SaaS. During weekends, he enjoys spending time watching YouTube.
