Softwr

Automation Integration · head to head

Pipedream vs Zapier

Pipedream logo

Pipedream

Automation Integration

Build reliable workflows in minutes, not months

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: Pipedream the Internet Archive's capture of Pipedream's pricing page on 26 December 2023 listed Free at $0/month (750 credits/mo, 3 active workflows, 3 connected accounts), Basic at $19/month billed annually (2,000 credits, 20 workflows), Advanced at $49/month billed annually (5,000 credits, unlimited workflows), and Business at $99/month billed annually (dedicated VPC, SSO); Enterprise is by contact only.; Zapier the free plan allows 100 tasks per month and only two-step Zaps, one trigger and one action
  • They diverge on capability: Pipedream covers Workflow builder, Zapier covers App integrations.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Pipedream and Zapier actually diverge.

Attributes where Pipedream and Zapier differ
AttributePipedreamZapier
Founded20182011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (usage-based), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, Api), 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 Pipedream

  • Workflow builder
  • Node.js scripting
  • Webhooks
  • Schedulers
  • Data transformation
  • Analytics
  • Git integration
  • 500+ apps

Only in Zapier

  • App integrations
  • Workflow automation
  • Trigger-based actions
  • Multi-step Zaps
  • Data formatting
  • Conditional logic
  • Team collaboration
  • 7000+ apps

Both cover

  • Error handling
  • Slack
  • GDPR
  • SOC2
  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

Pipedream

  • Workflow Automationnot Zapier
  • Data Integrationnot Zapier
  • Process Automationnot Zapier
  • App Integrationnot Zapier
  • API Connectivitynot Zapier

Zapier

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

Where each one falls short

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

Pipedream

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Pipedream's pricing page on 26 December 2023 listed Free at $0/month (750 credits/mo, 3 active workflows, 3 connected accounts), Basic at $19/month billed annually (2,000 credits, 20 workflows), Advanced at $49/month billed annually (5,000 credits, unlimited workflows), and Business at $99/month billed annually (dedicated VPC, SSO); Enterprise is by contact only.

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

Pipedream

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 100000 executions/month
    • 1000 sources
    • Community support
  • Pro$50/month
    • 500000 executions/month
    • Unlimited sources
    • Email support
  • Business$250/month
    • Unlimited executions
    • Priority support
    • Advanced features

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 Pipedream if

  • You need workflow builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want node.js scripting.
Pipedream 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 Pipedream or Zapier better?
Neither clearly leads. Pipedream 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, Pipedream or Zapier?
Pipedream starts at Free and Zapier at Free.
Does Pipedream or Zapier run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Api, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Pipedream for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Pipedream best used for?
Pipedream is most often used for workflow automation, data integration, process automation, app integration. Of those, workflow automation and data integration are not what Zapier is typically brought in for.
What can Pipedream do that Zapier cannot?
Pipedream covers Workflow builder, Node.js scripting, Webhooks, Schedulers. Zapier covers App integrations, Workflow automation, Trigger-based actions, Multi-step Zaps. Both handle Error handling, Slack, GDPR, SOC2.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Pipedream: What does Pipedream's free plan include?

The free plan provides access to Workflows and Connect for development purposes with limited active workflows and connected accounts. Development and testing workflows consume no credits.

Source
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
Pipedream: How does Pipedream's credit-based billing work?

Pipedream charges one credit per 30 seconds of compute time at the default 256MB memory level. Increasing memory to 512MB doubles the credit cost. Paid plans include a base monthly credit allotment plus a platform fee.

Source
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
Pipedream: What actions and operations consume credits?

Action executions, tool calls via MCP, deployed trigger emissions, and Connect proxy requests consume credits. Free operations include listing apps, account management, and the first 30 seconds of public registry source executions.

Source
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
Pipedream: How is Pipedream's Connect feature billed?

Connect billing includes API usage charges for operations and compute, plus per-end-user charges based on unique external users connecting accounts, not the number of accounts.

Source
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
Pipedream: What happens if I downgrade my plan?

Plan downgrades take effect at the end of the current billing cycle, and the new plan's limits are enforced at that time. Cancellation also takes effect at the end of the current period.

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
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