Remote Work · head to head
Slack Workflow Builder vs Zapier
Slack Workflow Builder
Remote Work
Automation for team collaboration
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Zapier
All industries
Automate your work across 7,000+ app integrations
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Zapier has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Slack Workflow Builder limited to Pro and above pricing tiers, requiring paid Slack subscription; Zapier the free plan allows 100 tasks per month and only two-step Zaps, one trigger and one action
- They diverge on capability: Slack Workflow Builder covers Workflow builder, Zapier covers Workflow automation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Slack Workflow Builder and Zapier actually diverge.
| Attribute | Slack Workflow Builder | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | Unknown | usage-based |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android | Web, Api |
| Category | Remote Work | All industries |
| Founded | 2013 | 2011 |
Identical on both: 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 Slack Workflow Builder
- Workflow builder
- Scheduled workflows
- Notifications
- Analytics
- 1000+ apps
- Custom webhooks
- REST API
- OAuth
Only in Zapier
- Workflow automation
- Trigger-based actions
- Multi-step Zaps
- Data formatting
- Team collaboration
- 7000+ apps
- Gmail
- Slack
Both cover
- App integrations
- Conditional logic
- Error handling
- GDPR
- Cloud deployment
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Slack Workflow Builder
- Workflow Automationnot Zapier
- Data Integrationnot Zapier
- Process Automationnot Zapier
- App Integrationnot Zapier
- API Connectivitynot Zapier
Zapier
- Lead managementnot Slack Workflow Builder
- Data synchronizationnot Slack Workflow Builder
- Email automationnot Slack Workflow Builder
- Social media postingnot Slack Workflow Builder
- Customer onboardingnot Slack Workflow Builder
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Slack Workflow Builder
- Limited to Pro and above pricing tiers, requiring paid Slack subscription
- Maximum 15 conditional branches per workflow, limiting complex logic paths
- Connectors must be explicitly configured per integration type
- No native web interface for non-Slack users
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
Slack Workflow Builder
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Slack Workflow Builder review.
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 Slack Workflow Builder if
- You need workflow builder.
- You work on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
- You also want scheduled workflows.
Choose Zapier if
- You need workflow automation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want trigger-based actions.
Questions people ask
- Is Slack Workflow Builder or Zapier better?
- Neither clearly leads. Slack Workflow Builder starts at On request and Zapier at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Slack Workflow Builder or Zapier?
- Zapier has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Slack Workflow Builder and Free for Zapier.
- Does Slack Workflow Builder or Zapier run on more platforms?
- Slack Workflow Builder runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. Zapier runs on Web, Api.
- Can I use Zapier for free?
- Yes. Zapier has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Slack Workflow Builder starts at On request.
- What is Slack Workflow Builder best used for?
- Slack Workflow Builder 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 Slack Workflow Builder do that Zapier cannot?
- Slack Workflow Builder covers Workflow builder, Scheduled workflows, Notifications, Analytics. Zapier covers Workflow automation, Trigger-based actions, Multi-step Zaps, Data formatting. Both handle App integrations, Conditional logic, Error handling, GDPR.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Slack Workflow Builder: Is Slack Workflow Builder included in all Slack plans?
No, Workflow Builder is only available in Slack Pro, Business+, and Enterprise plans. It is not included in the Free plan.
SourceSlack Workflow Builder: Can Workflow Builder connect to external applications?
Yes, Workflow Builder supports connectors that translate actions in Slack to instant results in third-party tools, allowing workflows to interact with your full application stack.
SourceSlack Workflow Builder: What is the maximum complexity of Slack Workflows?
Workflows support conditional logic with up to 15 conditions, enabling complex decision paths for automation.
Source