Softwr

Software · head to head

Swagger/OpenAPI vs Zapier

S

Swagger/OpenAPI

Software

API specification and documentation framework using OpenAPI standard

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zapier logo

Zapier

Software

Automate your work across 7,000+ app integrations

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Swagger/OpenAPI the OpenAPI Specification itself is licensed under Apache License 2.0 and free to use; SwaggerHub is a separate paid tool built on top of it; Zapier the free plan allows 100 tasks per month and only two-step Zaps, one trigger and one action
  • They diverge on capability: Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, Zapier covers App integrations.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Swagger/OpenAPI and Zapier actually diverge.

Attributes where Swagger/OpenAPI and Zapier differ
AttributeSwagger/OpenAPIZapier
Pricing modelfreemiumusage-based
PlatformsWeb, CLI, DesktopWeb, Api
Founded20012011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Swagger/OpenAPI

  • OpenAPI Specification
  • Interactive Documentation
  • Code Generation
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Jenkins
  • IDE plugins
  • Web 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.

Swagger/OpenAPI

  • API Developmentnot Zapier
  • API Gatewaynot Zapier
  • API Testingnot Zapier
  • API Documentationnot Zapier
  • Microservicesnot Zapier

Zapier

  • Lead managementnot Swagger/OpenAPI
  • Data synchronizationnot Swagger/OpenAPI
  • Email automationnot Swagger/OpenAPI
  • Social media postingnot Swagger/OpenAPI
  • Customer onboardingnot Swagger/OpenAPI

Where each one falls short

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

Swagger/OpenAPI

  • The OpenAPI Specification itself is licensed under Apache License 2.0 and free to use; SwaggerHub is a separate paid tool built on top of it

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

Swagger/OpenAPI

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • OpenAPI specification
    • Community tools
  • SwaggerHub FreeFree
    • Cloud editor
    • API mocking
    • API testing
  • SwaggerHub Pro$75/monthly
    • Team collaboration
    • Advanced mocking
    • Analytics

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 Swagger/OpenAPI if

  • You need openapi specification.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, CLI, Desktop.
  • You also want interactive documentation.
Swagger/OpenAPI 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 Swagger/OpenAPI or Zapier better?
Neither clearly leads. Swagger/OpenAPI 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, Swagger/OpenAPI or Zapier?
Swagger/OpenAPI starts at Free and Zapier at Free.
Does Swagger/OpenAPI or Zapier run on more platforms?
Swagger/OpenAPI runs on Web, CLI, Desktop. Zapier runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Swagger/OpenAPI for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Swagger/OpenAPI best used for?
Swagger/OpenAPI is most often used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation. Of those, api development and api gateway are not what Zapier is typically brought in for.
What can Swagger/OpenAPI do that Zapier cannot?
Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, Interactive Documentation, Code Generation, GitHub. Zapier covers App integrations, Workflow automation, Trigger-based actions, Multi-step Zaps.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Swagger/OpenAPI

More on Zapier

Keep looking

Other head to heads