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API Management · head to head

Microsoft Azure API Management vs Zapier

Microsoft Azure API Management logo

Microsoft Azure API Management

API Management

Hybrid, multi-cloud API management service on Azure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zapier logo

Zapier

All industries

Automate your work across 7,000+ app integrations

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Microsoft Azure API Management prices are not shown on the pricing page itself; every tier renders as a placeholder and routes to the calculator or sales; Zapier the free plan allows 100 tasks per month and only two-step Zaps, one trigger and one action
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Gateway, Zapier covers App integrations.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Azure API Management and Zapier actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Azure API Management and Zapier differ
AttributeMicrosoft Azure API ManagementZapier
Pricing modelsubscriptionusage-based
PlatformsCloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloudWeb, Api
CategoryAPI ManagementAll industries
Founded19752011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Microsoft Azure API Management

  • API Gateway
  • Developer Portal
  • API Policies
  • Azure services
  • AWS
  • Google Cloud
  • On-premises
  • 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.

Microsoft Azure API Management

  • API gateway and lifecycle management on Azurenot Zapier
  • Throttling, keys and policies in front of backend servicesnot Zapier
  • Developer portal for internal and partner APIsnot Zapier
  • Hybrid deployments using self-hosted gatewaysnot Zapier

Zapier

  • Lead managementnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Data synchronizationnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Email automationnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Social media postingnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Customer onboardingnot Microsoft Azure API Management

Where each one falls short

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

Microsoft Azure API Management

  • Prices are not shown on the pricing page itself; every tier renders as a placeholder and routes to the calculator or sales
  • Two parallel generations of tiers, classic and v2, so the choice is which lineage before which size
  • The Developer tier is explicitly not for production
  • Self-hosted gateways and workspace gateways are charged separately from the service

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

Microsoft Azure API Management

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1M calls/month
    • Community support
  • Developer$50/monthly
    • 10M calls/month
    • Email support
  • Premium$500/monthly
    • Unlimited calls
    • Priority support
    • 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 Microsoft Azure API Management if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloud.
  • You also want developer portal.
Microsoft Azure API Management 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 Microsoft Azure API Management or Zapier better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Azure API Management starts at Free and Zapier at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Azure API Management or Zapier?
Microsoft Azure API Management starts at Free and Zapier at Free.
Does Microsoft Azure API Management or Zapier run on more platforms?
Microsoft Azure API Management runs on Cloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloud. Zapier runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Microsoft Azure API Management for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Microsoft Azure API Management best used for?
Microsoft Azure API Management is most often used for api gateway and lifecycle management on azure, throttling, keys and policies in front of backend services, developer portal for internal and partner apis, hybrid deployments using self-hosted gateways. Of those, api gateway and lifecycle management on azure and throttling, keys and policies in front of backend services are not what Zapier is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Azure API Management do that Zapier cannot?
Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Gateway, Developer Portal, API Policies, Azure services. Zapier covers App integrations, Workflow automation, Trigger-based actions, Multi-step Zaps.
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Related pages

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