7 Best Zapier Alternatives in 2026 (Free & Paid)

TL;DR: Best Zapier Alternatives Ranked

• n8n — Best overall alternative (free self-hosted, open-source)
• Make — Best for visual workflows at lower cost
• Pipedream — Best for developers (code-first approach)
• Power Automate — Best for Microsoft 365 users
• Activepieces — Best open-source newcomer
• Tray.io — Best for enterprise teams
• Workato — Best for complex enterprise integrations

Why Look for Zapier Alternatives?

Zapier is the most popular automation platform with 7,000+ app integrations, but it has significant drawbacks that drive users to alternatives:

1. Cost at scale: task- or operation-based billing can rise quickly as volume grows.
2. Limited workflow complexity: Zapier’s linear step-by-step approach struggles with branching logic, error handling, and parallel processing.
3. No self-hosting: For businesses with data privacy requirements, Zapier’s cloud-only model is a dealbreaker.
4. Limited code support: When you need custom logic, Zapier’s code steps are restrictive compared to n8n’s full Node.js environment.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Zapier	n8n	Make	Pipedream
Free Tier	100 tasks/mo	Unlimited (self-hosted)	1,000 ops/mo	10,000/day
Paid From	$19.99/mo	$20/mo (cloud)	$9/mo	$19/mo
Integrations	7,000+	400+	3,000+	1,000+
Self-Hosting	No	Yes	No	No
Code Support	Limited	Full JS/Python	Limited	Full Node.js
Visual Builder	Linear	Node-based	Scenario-based	Hybrid
Open Source	No	Yes	No	Partially

1. n8n — Best Overall Zapier Alternative

Price: Free (self-hosted) or from $20/month (cloud)

n8n is the standout Zapier alternative for teams that want control, flexibility, and cost savings. Its open-source nature means you can self-host it on a $5/month VPS and run unlimited automations forever. Read our full n8n review for a detailed feature breakdown, or see how it compares in our n8n vs Zapier vs Make comparison.

Best for: Technical teams, developers, privacy-conscious businesses, and anyone processing high volumes of automations.

Try n8n

2. Make (formerly Integromat) — Best Visual Builder

Price: From $9/month for 10,000 operations

Make’s scenario-based visual builder is more powerful than Zapier’s linear approach. You can create branching workflows, handle errors visually, and process data with built-in tools — all at roughly half Zapier’s cost.

Best for: Non-technical users who need complex workflows, marketing teams, and agencies.

3. Pipedream — Best for Developers

Price: Free for 10,000 invocations/day, then from $19/month

Pipedream takes a code-first approach to automation. You write Node.js, Python, or Go steps that connect to 1,000+ APIs. It’s like having a serverless function platform with built-in integration connectors.

Best for: Developers, technical freelancers, and teams that prefer code over visual builders.

4. Power Automate — Best for Microsoft Users

Price: Included with Microsoft 365, or from $15/user/month standalone

If your organization already uses Microsoft 365, Power Automate is the natural choice. Deep integration with Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, and Dynamics 365 makes it unbeatable for Microsoft-centric workflows.

Best for: Organizations using Microsoft 365, enterprise teams, and IT departments.

5. Activepieces — Best Open-Source Newcomer

Price: Free (self-hosted) or from $5/month (cloud)

Activepieces is a newer open-source alternative that focuses on simplicity. It has a Zapier-like interface but with the benefits of self-hosting and a growing community of contributors.

Best for: Non-technical users who want open-source benefits with a familiar interface.

6. Tray.io — Best for Enterprise

Price: Custom enterprise pricing (typically $600+/month)

Tray.io is designed for enterprise-scale automation with advanced features like data governance, SOC 2 compliance, and dedicated support. It handles complex business processes across hundreds of systems.

Best for: Large enterprises with complex integration needs and compliance requirements.

7. Workato — Best for Complex Enterprise Integration

Price: Custom enterprise pricing

Workato combines automation with enterprise integration, offering pre-built recipes for complex business processes. Its AI-powered recommendations help identify automation opportunities.

Best for: Enterprise IT teams managing complex integrations across multiple business systems.

How to Choose the Right Alternative

1. Budget under $20/month? → n8n (self-hosted) or Make
2. Developer team? → n8n or Pipedream
3. Microsoft shop? → Power Automate
4. Need enterprise features? → Tray.io or Workato
5. Want open-source simplicity? → Activepieces
6. Complex visual workflows? → Make

Migration Tips

Switching from Zapier doesn’t have to happen overnight:

1. Audit your Zaps: List all active automations and their frequency
2. Prioritize high-cost Zaps: Move the automations consuming the most tasks first
3. Test in parallel: Run both tools simultaneously for 1-2 weeks
4. Migrate gradually: Move 2-3 Zaps per week to avoid disruption

Methodology

We tested each platform over 30 days, creating equivalent workflows across all tools. Evaluation criteria included setup effort, execution reliability, pricing structure, and integration coverage. Pricing references were last verified on February 18, 2026 from official vendor pages.

Ready to build your first automation? Follow our step-by-step guide to automate client onboarding in 2 hours using n8n or Zapier. For a detailed head-to-head, see Make vs Zapier. Read individual tool reviews for n8n, Make, and Zapier.

For AI tool stacks that include automation: best tools for freelancers, solopreneurs, small businesses, and marketing agencies. See also How to build an AI content workflow and How to automate social media with AI.