Zapier

Zapier is a web-based service for connecting apps through automated workflows called Zaps. A Zap begins with a trigger and carries out one or more actions; a task is counted when an action successfully moves data or completes work. Zapier offers automation across more than 9,000 apps, including multi-step workflows, conditional logic, and webhook triggers. The Free plan costs nothing and includes 100 tasks per month, unlimited Zaps limited to two steps, one user, and a 15-minute polling interval. Polling for new data does not use tasks, but successful actions do. Without pay-per-task billing, workflows pause at the task limit until the next usage period. Professional starts at $19.99 per month and includes multi-step Zaps, premium apps, webhooks, and email and live chat support. Team starts at $69 per month and includes 25 users with shared Zaps, folders, and app connections. Professional and Team plans offer free trials. Annual payments have a lower monthly fee, with the pricing selector showing a 33% saving. Zapier maintains SOC 2 Type II, SOC 3, GDPR, and CCPA compliance. Support options vary by plan, from email on Free to live chat, priority support, screen sharing, and technical account management.

Zapier offers a free starting point and paid plans for multi-step and team workflows. Review task limits and plan features to determine which level fits your use.

Zapier suits people or teams looking to automate tasks between supported apps. The Free plan is suited to small workflows, while Team includes shared tools for 25 users.

Overview

Zapier connects apps with automated workflows called Zaps, each starting with a trigger and running one or more actions. It best suits people and teams that need to move information across a varied app stack; its broad integrations are a strong draw, but tight free-plan limits make sustained or complex use a paid-plan decision.

Key features

With connectors for more than 9,000 apps, Zapier can bridge services that might otherwise require separate integrations. Multi-step workflows, conditional logic, webhooks, workflow orchestration, and data transformation give it room to handle more than a simple trigger followed by one action. That flexibility is useful for connected processes, though the free plan cannot run multi-step Zaps.

A task is counted when a Zap successfully moves data or completes an action; checking for new data through polling does not use tasks. This means the quota pays for completed work rather than every check, but action-heavy workflows can still reach the monthly ceiling quickly. Without pay-per-task billing, workflows pause at that limit until the next usage period.

Polling intervals improve from 15 minutes on Free to two minutes on Professional and one minute on Team. Free is a reasonable fit when a delay is acceptable; time-sensitive workflows have a better fit on a paid tier.

Zapier maintains SOC 2 Type II, SOC 3, GDPR, and CCPA compliance. SAML-based single sign-on and SCIM user provisioning support managed access, while Enterprise adds advanced admin permissions, app controls, deployment options, and observability. Support ranges from email on Free to live chat, priority support, screen sharing, and technical account management.

Pricing

Free is the right starting point for one user with modest volume and straightforward, two-step workflows. Its 100-task monthly cap and slower polling are meaningful constraints, not just a smaller version of the paid service. Professional is the entry point for multi-step automation, Premium apps, webhooks, and faster polling; it starts at $19.99 a month. Team starts at $69 a month and makes more sense when 25 users need shared workflows and connections rather than individual setups.

Professional and Team offer a free trial. Annual payments lower the monthly fee, with the pricing selector showing a 33% saving. Task limits matter at every level: when the allowance is used, workflows pause until the next usage period unless pay-per-task billing is used. Enterprise is for organizations needing broader controls and annual task limits, with custom pricing.

Platforms

Zapier is available on the web.

Who it's for

Choose Zapier when your workflows need to connect a wide range of apps, especially if they require several actions, conditional logic, or webhook triggers. It is less suitable when a small task allowance, two-step ceiling, or 15-minute polling interval would obstruct everyday work. Teams needing shared connections and centralized access have a clearer case for Team or Enterprise than for separate individual accounts.

Pros and cons

• Pros: More than 9,000 app connectors make it useful across varied software stacks.
• Pros: Multi-step workflows, conditional logic, webhooks, orchestration, and data transformation support more involved automation.
• Pros: Team includes 25 users and shared Zaps, folders, and app connections, with SAML SSO.
• Cons: Free is limited to 100 tasks per month and two-step Zaps, so it is not a practical home for complex or high-volume workflows.
• Cons: Workflows pause at the task limit without pay-per-task billing, which can interrupt automation before the next usage period.
• Cons: Free polling every 15 minutes is slower than the paid plans and may not suit workflows that need to react promptly.

Alternatives

Make is worth considering if a free plan with up to 1,000 credits per month and two active scenarios better matches your needs; it supports Android, API, iOS, and web. Activepieces offers a free plan with 1,000 credits a month and unlimited flows for one user, with community support, and is available through API, self-hosted, and web options. Pabbly Connect has a free plan with 100 tasks per month and unlimited workflows; the free task count matches Zapier's, while its stated workflow allowance is unlimited. Knit is another freemium alternative with a free plan and paid plans, including a Start Up plan at $499 a month. Kestra is a free alternative whose platform is released under the Apache 2.0 license. Rayven Integration Platform offers a free plan for self-hosted use with 2,500 hourly reads and writes. Celigo has a free plan covering two endpoints, one flow, and one production environment. Latenode offers a free plan with 10,000 CPU seconds per month and five active workflows.

For broader comparisons, browse Integration Platform as a Service Software, Task Automation Software, Deal Desk Software, Workflow automation tools, and Workflow Management Software.

Verdict

Zapier is a strong choice for users who need one automation service to connect a broad range of apps and build multi-step workflows. Its breadth and team-sharing features are the main reasons to choose it; its task ceilings, plan-dependent polling, and paid requirements for multi-step Zaps are the reasons to look elsewhere if simple, low-cost automation is enough.