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Software · head to head

3scale vs Zapier

3scale logo

3scale

Software

API management platform for designing, securing, and monetizing APIs

From
$300/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zapier logo

Zapier

Software

Automate your work across 7,000+ app integrations

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Zapier has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 3scale red Hat's managed 3scale services end on 30 June 2027, so anyone adopting the hosted option now is choosing a product with a published end date; Zapier the free plan allows 100 tasks per month and only two-step Zaps, one trigger and one action
  • They diverge on capability: 3scale covers API Gateway, Zapier covers App integrations.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3scale and Zapier actually diverge.

Attributes where 3scale and Zapier differ
Attribute3scaleZapier
Starting price$300/monthlyFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionusage-based
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsCloud, On-premises, HybridWeb, Api
Founded19932011

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 3scale

  • API Gateway
  • Developer Portal
  • API Monetization
  • Red Hat OpenShift
  • AWS
  • Azure
  • Kubernetes
  • Cloud support

Only in Zapier

  • App integrations
  • Workflow automation
  • Trigger-based actions
  • Multi-step Zaps
  • Data formatting
  • Conditional logic
  • Error handling
  • Team collaboration

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

3scale

  • API gateway and lifecycle managementnot Zapier
  • Rate limiting and traffic control across API consumersnot Zapier
  • Developer portal and access key managementnot Zapier
  • Monetising APIs with usage-based plansnot Zapier
  • Hybrid deployment across on-premises and cloudnot Zapier

Zapier

  • Lead managementnot 3scale
  • Data synchronizationnot 3scale
  • Email automationnot 3scale
  • Social media postingnot 3scale
  • Customer onboardingnot 3scale

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

3scale

  • Red Hat's managed 3scale services end on 30 June 2027, so anyone adopting the hosted option now is choosing a product with a published end date
  • Sold as part of Red Hat middleware rather than standalone, and 3scale.net redirects into redhat.com
  • Pricing is not published and a subscription is required for some services

Zapier

  • The free plan allows 100 tasks per month and only two-step Zaps, one trigger and one action
  • Multi-step Zaps, filters, paths, webhooks and the formatter all require a paid plan
  • Premium app connectors are withheld from the free plan
  • Free Zaps poll for new data every 15 minutes against 2 minutes on Professional and 1 minute on Team
  • Paying monthly rather than annually costs 50 percent more, so the 2,000-task Professional plan is $73.50 a month instead of $49

Pricing, plan by plan

3scale

$300/monthly
  • Starter$300/monthly
    • API gateway
    • Developer portal
    • Basic analytics
  • Professional$750/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • API monetization
    • Enhanced support
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Custom deployment
    • Dedicated support
    • Premium SLA

Zapier

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 100 tasks/month
    • 5 Zaps
    • Two-step Zaps
  • Starter$19.99/month
    • 750 tasks/month
    • 20 Zaps
    • Multi-step Zaps
  • Professional$49/month
    • 2,000 tasks/month
    • Unlimited Zaps
    • Custom logic

Which should you pick?

Choose 3scale if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
  • You also want developer portal.
3scale review

Choose Zapier if

  • You need app integrations.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want workflow automation.
Zapier review

Questions people ask

Is 3scale or Zapier better?
Neither clearly leads. 3scale starts at $300/monthly and Zapier at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3scale or Zapier?
Zapier has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $300/monthly for 3scale and Free for Zapier.
Does 3scale or Zapier run on more platforms?
3scale runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid. Zapier runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Zapier for free?
Yes. Zapier has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. 3scale starts at $300/monthly.
What is 3scale best used for?
3scale is most often used for api gateway and lifecycle management, rate limiting and traffic control across api consumers, developer portal and access key management, monetising apis with usage-based plans. Of those, api gateway and lifecycle management and rate limiting and traffic control across api consumers are not what Zapier is typically brought in for.
What can 3scale do that Zapier cannot?
3scale covers API Gateway, Developer Portal, API Monetization, Red Hat OpenShift. Zapier covers App integrations, Workflow automation, Trigger-based actions, Multi-step Zaps.
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