Softwr

Automation Integration · head to head

Kogito vs Zapier

Kogito logo

Kogito

Automation Integration

Cloud-native business automation for Quarkus, now an Apache KIE component

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zapier logo

Zapier

Automation Integration

Automate your work across 7,000+ app integrations

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Kogito kogito is a developer framework, not a product, so there is no equivalent of Camunda Operate for business users and any process monitoring interface has to be built or bought separately.; Zapier the free plan allows 100 tasks per month and only two-step Zaps, one trigger and one action
  • They diverge on capability: Kogito covers Build-time code generation, Zapier covers App integrations.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kogito and Zapier actually diverge.

Attributes where Kogito and Zapier differ
AttributeKogitoZapier
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feeusage-based
PlatformsLinux, Docker, KubernetesWeb, Api
FoundedUnknown2011

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

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 Kogito

  • Build-time code generation
  • Quarkus and Spring Boot support
  • DMN decision services
  • Drools rules engine
  • Serverless workflow
  • Kubernetes operator

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.

Kogito

  • A Quarkus microservice that must expose a DMN decision model as a REST endpoint with millisecond start-upnot Zapier
  • Serverless deployment of business rules where a traditional BPM server would be far too heavynot Zapier
  • A Red Hat shop that wants the upstream of Red Hat process automation with the option of a supported build laternot Zapier
  • Replacing hand-coded conditional logic with DMN tables that business analysts can review and amendnot Zapier

Zapier

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

Where each one falls short

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

Kogito

  • Kogito is a developer framework, not a product, so there is no equivalent of Camunda Operate for business users and any process monitoring interface has to be built or bought separately.
  • Long-running stateful processes need external persistence and messaging that you configure and operate yourself, which removes much of the convenience a BPM server normally provides.
  • It sits inside the Apache KIE incubator, and incubating status means graduation is not guaranteed and the project name and artefact coordinates have already changed once.
  • Red Hat is by far the dominant contributor despite ASF stewardship, so the roadmap follows Red Hat product priorities rather than community demand.
  • Documentation is spread across legacy JBoss sites, the old Kogito site and the new Apache KIE site, and search results routinely land on outdated versions, which costs real time during adoption.

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

Kogito

Free
  • KogitoFree
    • Apache 2.0 licence
    • Apache KIE incubating project
    • No usage limits

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 Kogito if

  • You need build-time code generation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
  • You also want quarkus and spring boot support.
Kogito 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 Kogito or Zapier better?
Neither clearly leads. Kogito 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, Kogito or Zapier?
Kogito starts at Free and Zapier at Free.
Does Kogito or Zapier run on more platforms?
Kogito runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes. Zapier runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Kogito for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Kogito best used for?
Kogito is most often used for a quarkus microservice that must expose a dmn decision model as a rest endpoint with millisecond start-up, serverless deployment of business rules where a traditional bpm server would be far too heavy, a red hat shop that wants the upstream of red hat process automation with the option of a supported build later, replacing hand-coded conditional logic with dmn tables that business analysts can review and amend. Of those, a quarkus microservice that must expose a dmn decision model as a rest endpoint with millisecond start-up and serverless deployment of business rules where a traditional bpm server would be far too heavy are not what Zapier is typically brought in for.
What can Kogito do that Zapier cannot?
Kogito covers Build-time code generation, Quarkus and Spring Boot support, DMN decision services, Drools rules engine. Zapier covers App integrations, Workflow automation, Trigger-based actions, Multi-step Zaps.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Kogito: Is Kogito still maintained?

Yes. It is an Apache KIE incubating project with active commits, with Red Hat as the dominant contributor.

Zapier: What happens if I exceed my task limit in Zapier?

If you enable pay-per-task, monthly plans charge 2.5 times your base rate for overage tasks, while annual plans charge 1.25 times. Usage stops at 3 times your subscription amount as a hard ceiling.

Source
Kogito: How does it differ from jBPM?

Kogito compiles process and rule definitions into application code at build time; jBPM was a runtime engine that loads definitions.

Zapier: Can I cancel my Zapier subscription at any time?

Yes, you can cancel anytime. Your access continues through the end of your current billing cycle.

Source
Kogito: Does it need Quarkus?

It is designed for Quarkus and supports Spring Boot; both are Java frameworks rather than a standalone server.

Zapier: How long does Zapier retain my audit logs and version history?

Professional plan users get 1-month version history, Team plan users get 6-month audit logs and version history, and Enterprise customers get 1-year audit logs with custom data retention available.

Source
Kogito: Is there commercial support?

Not from Apache. Red Hat sells supported builds of this lineage as part of its subscriptions.

Zapier: What support do I get with my Zapier plan?

Professional and Team plans include email support available 24/7, with live chat available for higher-tier plans. Team plan includes priority support, and Enterprise customers receive a dedicated Technical Account Manager.

Source
Zapier: What discount does Zapier offer for annual plans?

Annual subscriptions receive 33% off the monthly rate. Non-profit organizations get an additional 15% reduction on top of the annual discount, though this excludes pay-per-task charges.

Source
Zapier: Does Zapier offer a free trial?

Yes, new accounts get a 14-day free trial of the Professional plan with no credit card required.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Kogito

More on Zapier

Keep looking

Other head to heads