When it comes to automating business applications, Zapier is often the first name that comes to mind. With over 5,000 app integrations, it’s easy to see why they’re so popular. However, it’s important to remember that Zapier isn’t the only player in the game.
There are a variety of automation software options available that can connect the tools your organization relies on. Each has its own unique benefits and features. In this article, we’ll explore some of the top automation services and help you determine which one might be the best fit for your business needs.
What is Zapier?
Zapier is a user-friendly, no-code automation tool that allows us to integrate our frequently used apps and web services, enabling us to build better workflows. With Zapier, we can create commands called Zaps, which consist of a trigger and a resulting action or set of actions. Once our Zap is on, it will automatically complete its action every time the trigger takes place, resulting in a seamless, automated workflow. While there are other platforms that offer integration services, Zapier stands out for its ease of use and versatility. It’s a great option for anyone looking to streamline their workflow and save time.
10 Alternatives to Zapier to Automate Manual Tasks
1. Integrately
Integrately is a powerful no-code automation software that allows us to integrate multiple apps and tools to automate processes. The platform is suitable for both simple and complex workflows, ranging from SMS and email marketing to live chat and accounting. Integrately’s biggest advantage is its robust set of ready-made automations that we can adopt to set up our flows in literally one click. The platform also allows us to share our automations with colleagues or clients seamlessly. However, Integrately may not support complex automation flows, and its pricing starts at $19.99 per month after the free plan.
2. IFTTT
IFTTT is an affordable Zapier alternative that offers a free plan, a Pro plan at $2.50 a month, and Pro+ plan at $5 a month. Unlike other companies on this list, IFTTT is not designed specifically for B2B SaaS apps and is made for everyone and everything, from music lists to social media accounts to connected devices. IFTTT provides a fluent user experience, can be set up quickly, and is decently lightweight. However, it may not be the best platform for complex use cases like building highly customized, multi-step workflows.
3. Make
Make (formerly Integromat) is a great option for technical users who need a robust automation platform. Make allows us to dig into advanced workflows and connect our Make account to Zapier. The platform offers a free plan, and its Core plan only costs $9 per month, which is less than half of Zapier’s baseline subscription. Make offers a rich library of the most popular apps and provides an intuitive, drag-and-drop builder and advanced customization options. However, some reviewers report that it doesn’t offer much documentation on troubleshooting errors and other instructions.
4. Microsoft Power Automate
Microsoft Power Automate (formerly Microsoft Flow) is a great option for seamless experience connecting apps to other Microsoft services. It significantly improves automation for OneDrive, Excel, SharePoint, Teams, and Outlook. Microsoft lets us automate hundreds of tasks between connected apps, including creating documents in WebMerge, sending files to cloud storage software like Box, and sending invoices using Freshbooks. Power Automate receives rave reviews for its alerts and approvals capabilities, large catalog of add-ons, and configurable workflows. However, some reviewers say the platform isn’t always the most user-friendly and may require some extra time to learn in the beginning. The basic per-user subscription plan starts at $15 per month.
5. Outfunnel
Outfunnel is a Zapier alternative for sales-marketing tools integrations. We can use it to integrate our CRM with marketing tools like Mailchimp and ActiveCampaign, as well as various web forms tools. The primary benefit is that we can easily keep sales and marketing contact lists in sync and share marketing engagement data with sales automatically, so they can sell smarter. While the main con of Outfunnel is that its list of offered integrations is minuscule compared to Zapier, it’s a great alternative if we just need to connect sales and marketing apps. Outfunnel offers Basic, Professional, and Scale plans; the Basic plan starts at $59 per month.
6. SureTriggers
SureTriggers is an automation platform that automates repetitive operations to help us save time and money. Like Zapier, it offers over 100 apps and services integrated into the platform, allowing us to automate operations throughout our entire process. Moreover, it has deep integrations with popular WordPress plug-ins and themes. SureTriggers is simple to use and does not require any coding knowledge. The visual workflow builder allows us to create unique automations and share our data from one application to the other with ease. SureTriggers also offers many useful features, such as paths, formatter, delay, and others. SureTriggers offers a free plan as well as paid Pro and Agency plans starting at $99 per year.
7. Tray.io
Tray.io’s primary benefit is its Universal Connector, which allows us to connect apps that aren’t even listed in their app library. For companies using more obscure web services that aren’t commonly connected with any of the services in this post, Tray.io is a no-brainer. However, some users report that it can be time-consuming to build custom integrations outside of the standard “out of the box” connectors Tray.io offers. The entire platform is built on the idea of flexibility. Even its pricing structure is flexible, allowing us to customize our account to our needs. Tray.io offers a free trial, but we’ll need to contact the sales team for more pricing details.
8. Workato
Workato is an automation app best suited for Enterprise, and the company’s goal is to streamline automation across an entire organization, not just the
Which Automation Tool is Right for You?
When it comes to automating your workflow, there are a variety of tools available to choose from. Zapier is a popular choice, but it’s not the only option. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a chart comparing some of the top automation tools based on information from software review sites G2 and GetApp.
Here are some key features to consider when choosing an automation tool:
Number of Integrations
The number of integrations a tool offers can be a deciding factor for many businesses. Zapier boasts the most integrations with over 5,000, while Integrately offers over 1,000. Other tools like IFTTT and Microsoft Power Automate offer fewer integrations but still have a wide range of options.
Basic Plan Price
Pricing is an important consideration for any business. Zapier, Integrately, and SureTriggers all offer a basic plan starting at $19.99/month, while IFTTT’s basic plan starts at just $2.50/month. Other tools like Make and LeadsBridge offer more affordable options, while Outfunnel has a higher price point.
Typical Customer Type
Consider the size and type of business you have when choosing an automation tool. Zapier, Integrately, and Workato are all geared towards small to mid-sized businesses, while Microsoft Power Automate and LeadsBridge are suitable for businesses of all sizes. Outfunnel and SureTriggers are best for small to mid-sized businesses.
Overall User Rating
User ratings can be a helpful way to gauge the effectiveness of an automation tool. Zapier, Make, Outfunnel, and Tray.io all have high ratings of 4.8 or above. Other tools like Integrately, IFTTT, and Workato have solid ratings of 4.6 or above.
Languages Supported
If you work with a team that speaks multiple languages, it’s important to choose a tool that supports those languages. Microsoft Power Automate offers the most language options with 27, while Make supports both Czech and English. Most other tools, including Zapier, support English only.
By considering these factors, you can determine which automation tool is right for you and your business. Have you used any of these tools before? Let us know your experience in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top competitors to Zapier for workflow automation?
There are several competitors to Zapier in the market for workflow automation. Some of the top alternatives include:
- Integromat (now known as Make)
- Microsoft Power Automate
- Automate.io
- Workato
- Tray.io
Which self-hosted platforms can be used as alternatives to Zapier?
If you prefer a self-hosted solution, there are several platforms that can be used as alternatives to Zapier. These include:
- Huginn
- n8n
- Apache Airflow
- Trigger Happy
How does Make (formerly Integromat) compare to Zapier in terms of features and pricing?
Make (formerly Integromat) is a cloud-based automation platform that is similar to Zapier in terms of features and functionality. However, Make offers more advanced automation features and a more flexible pricing model than Zapier. While Zapier charges based on the number of tasks you run per month, Make charges based on the number of operations you perform. This can make it a more cost-effective option for businesses with high-volume automation needs.
What are the advantages of using Integrately over Zapier for task automation?
Integrately is another popular automation platform that offers several advantages over Zapier. Some of the key benefits of using Integrately include:
- More affordable pricing plans
- A larger library of pre-built integrations
- Advanced automation features like conditional logic and data mapping
Can IFTTT be considered a viable replacement for Zapier for personal use?
IFTTT is a popular automation platform that is often used for personal automation tasks. While it does offer some similar features to Zapier, it is generally considered to be less powerful and flexible. If you need to automate complex workflows or integrate with multiple apps, Zapier is likely a better choice.
What automation services does Microsoft offer that are comparable to Zapier?
Microsoft offers several automation services that are comparable to Zapier, including:
- Power Automate (formerly Microsoft Flow)
- Logic Apps
- Azure Functions
These platforms offer similar features to Zapier, including the ability to automate workflows and integrate with a wide range of apps and services.