Reviews
Zapier = cloud automation and cloud automation = Zapier, right? Well, not quite. Clearly, Zapier is THE name to mention and read about everywhere in the world of cloud automation, and for good reason. The tool is user-friendly, enormously comprehensive and offers almost endless possibilities.
Nevertheless, we would like to discuss Zapier pricing alternatives here, because Zapier's pricing can be unattractive, especially for newcomers to the world of cloud automation. We present Zapier pricing alternatives that either have a better and sufficient free version or where you get more for less money.
If you are interested in a more comprehensive comparison of the tools, also from a technical point of view, we have prepared the whole thing for you here. It's not just about pricing, but about general advantages and disadvantages, technical highlights, things to consider and our opinion on the best Zapier alternative.
Nevertheless, there are some Zapier price alternatives that are worth mentioning in this blog post:
If you've looked into cloud automation or automation in general, you'll most likely have come across Zapier.
Zapier's advantages are obvious: the interface is intuitive, user-friendly and really makes a difference.
Automations with over 2,500 apps offer a multitude of possibilities and if these are not enough, Python or Javascript code can be implemented and executed.
With certified Zapier Experts around the world, even complex integrations can be realised and professional help from IT professionals can be requested.
But...
Especially for entry into the world of cloud automation, Zapier's cost structure is rather on the expensive side.
There is a free version, but it only includes a maximum of 5 process steps ("Zaps") and that is really, really little. The starter version at $19.90 per month is not that expensive, but for most of our customers we recommend the professional version for $49 per month. Especially people who want to try the whole thing out for themselves will probably gulp at this price.
Another cost factor: if you reach your monthly limit of zaps, they have to be rebooked for 2 cents per zap. Depending on your needs, this can be really expensive.
As you can see, there's more to it than that. If I just want to dip my toes into the cool waters of cloud automation, then free versions are the most popular way to go, and quite rightly so.
If you work a lot and almost exclusively in the Microsoft environment, then the first tool is certainly worth a try. And best of all, it's free with the Office 365 subscription, except for the Premium Apps.
Normally, with Power Automate you pay per user - 15$ per month. For this, an unlimited number of active flows (i.e. workflows) are available. Microsoft's focus is clearly on enabling users to create the flows they need individually and themselves.
If you already have an Office365 subscription, Power Automate is already available, except for the Premium Apps. And of course, not only the standard Office products are included. Power Automate also offers other apps, such as Twitter, Trello or Facebook.
In addition, it is possible to choose from a variety of templates and thus either gather inspiration for sensible automations or lighten the workload. Another nice advantage of Power Automate is the mobile app for iOS and Android, which no other tool offers.
Our verdict: If you're almost exclusively in the Microsoft Cloud, try Power Automate before you sign up for monthly subscriptions to other tools. This Zapier price alternative lives up to its name and you can go really far with it.
We are really glad that in any comparisons to Zapier, be it price or technical, a European tool is always worth mentioning. Because as much as we celebrate Silicon Valley, there are definite advantages when you use European tech tools as a German company.
Make, similar to Zapier, offers a simple interface that can be used to create workflows and connect a variety of apps. In terms of price, however, Make chooses a different strategy than Zapier:
The free version at Make is really something. Up to 1,000 process steps (called Make Operations) are free of charge - regardless of the number of apps. There is no limit for this.
Furthermore, the first fee-based basic package is priced at a really manageable $9 per month. 10,000 operations already offer some possibilities for automating your workflows.
What's more, Make is a real Zapier price alternative: if you reach your limit, you can add another 10,000 operations for $9 at any time, regardless of the package. This way, you always have an overview of your costs and remain flexible.
Our conclusion: In our eyes, Make is THE Zapier price alternative. With our affiliate link you even get your first 10,000 operations for one month for free.
A still very young cloud automation tool that we are looking forward to is Wayscript. Wayscript is aimed particularly at developers with programming skills. Tasks, apps and workflows can be automated with the help of APIs and "your favourite programming language".
Clearly, Wayscript has thus immediately named its own target group and programming skills are really indispensable for this tool, but it is precisely for these that the free account is worth a look.
IFTTT is the cloud automation tool for smart home and tech geeks who always want to play around with technology and try out the latest. The application allows you to connect not only apps, but also Amazon Alexa, Philipps Hue, voice assistants or your large appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines or dishwashers.
And best of all: the whole thing is completely free for private individuals. Over 600 services, apps, business tools, email providers or physical devices can be controlled and connected in the free IFTTT account, making it possible to experience the latest cloud technologies at home. Clearly, the business model is currently primarily geared towards private use, but this is where it is a true Zapier price alternative.
Moreover, smart home is a trend that should simply be fun, and this application clearly offers that. So if you're always on the lookout for new gadgets and like to play around with technology in your private life, take a look at IFTTT.
If you are looking for a cheaper Zapier price alternative for a start, which should perform in the professional area and be scalable, there is hardly any way around Make.
With our affiliate link you get the first month for free even with 10,000 operations instead of 1,000.
Make offers similar functions to Zapier and is almost on a par with its American counterpart. Almost. Because one advantage of Zapier remains: With over 2,500 apps (and these are constantly and quickly being expanded) as well as the easy integration of Python and Javascript, Zapier offers the most comprehensive integration of all apps and applications.
If you work almost exclusively in the Microsoft Cloud and already have an Office 365 subscription, we highly recommend Power Automate, especially to get started.
If you are simply looking for new ways to upgrade your home, then IFTTT is certainly an attractive alternative Zapier price. We are sure that there will be more to come in the next few months and who knows, maybe IFTTT will soon be a business Zapier price alternative.
Either way, cloud automation can quickly become complicated and only develop its full potential with programming knowledge. That's why it makes sense to get a professional on your side to accompany, develop and implement the automation. We are happy to support you in the analysis and subsequent automation of business processes, explain possibilities and individually address the company processes.
Cloud Integration, iPaaS, SaaS, BPA… Ough, hard to keep track of all these terms. They are currently used frequently (and increasingly) in the context of automation, and it is sometimes difficult to make a clear distinction and distinction. We have already written blog posts on the terms iPaaS, SaaS and BPA, but we’ll take them up again here to make the difference.
But let’s start with cloud integration, because that’s the central umbrella term in which we embed all the other technologies in this blog post.
Arrange a free cloud integration consultation now
Arrange a free cloud integration consultation now
To illustrate these advantages, an example is suitable that we know well from our everyday work as an automation agency:
The central data to be used here is the data of a major customer. This can be the simplest information, such as the address. This address is required in numerous but completely different processes in the company: on the one hand, for correct invoicing in accounting. On the other hand, in the CRM system, where all the data of the large customer is also stored. But the address is also important in sales, for example, when employees go to the sales meeting on site.
Now the customer announces that the address of the company has changed after a move. This information will reach you by e-mail. There are now two options:
01. The e-mail is forwarded to all affected departments, accounting, sales, customer service, marketing… All persons open their corresponding program, CRM, accounting software, marketing tools (such as newsletter marketing) and change the data already stored there of the customer. This means that in multiple applications, different people do exactly the same thing: change one address.
02. But there is also an alternative: By connecting your applications, thus by integrizing them, the customer’s e-mail, or rather the information it contains about the address change, is automatically passed on to all affected applications: CRM, accounting, marketing, ERP. This does not require any clicks, because the cloud integration detects a trigger, i.e. address change, and thus automatically starts the process.
What sounds unimpressive in a single process becomes more effective when such a process occurs several times a day or weekly. Because there is a lot of data that is available in different applications and should always be correct. If these applications are cloud applications they are suitable for cloud integration.
But cloud integration doesn’t just happen. There are now a variety of applications that enable and implement this. Such tools usually allow us to link the relevant cloud applications on a central platform and define clear rules on when, how, where, how much data should be passed on and what happens to them.
To realize cloud integration, there are various applications and technologies that are sometimes used interchangeably.
We have made a first distinction between iPaaS and BPA here.
We explain the term SaaS in more detail here.
Cloud integration is rather an umbrella term that includes numerous technologies, such as SaaS, iPaaS and BPA, and this is also absolutely necessary. Cloud integration is a concept that is made possible by appropriate technologies.
However, all terms share the commonality that they are cloud-based and thus offer enormous potential for growth and scaling. In addition, they are often cheaper to implement and maintain because changed requirements are easy to implement.
As an independent automation agency, we implement cloud integration according to your requirements. We use a variety of SaaS tools and iPaas (strictly speaking BPA) software. Together we find individual solutions that are flexible and scalable.
