Softwr

Automation Integration · head to head

Trigger.dev vs Zapier

Trigger.dev logo

Trigger.dev

Automation Integration

Build and deploy fully managed AI agents and workflows

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: Trigger.dev unclear scaling costs beyond included limits; pricing becomes complex beyond base plan features; Zapier the free plan allows 100 tasks per month and only two-step Zaps, one trigger and one action
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Trigger.dev and Zapier actually diverge.

Attributes where Trigger.dev and Zapier differ
AttributeTrigger.devZapier
Pricing modelfreemiumusage-based
PlatformsWebWeb, 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 Trigger.dev

Nothing recorded that Zapier does not also cover.

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.

Trigger.dev

  • Job automation and workflow orchestrationnot Zapier
  • API-driven task schedulingnot Zapier
  • Background job processing for applicationsnot Zapier

Zapier

  • Lead managementnot Trigger.dev
  • Data synchronizationnot Trigger.dev
  • Email automationnot Trigger.dev
  • Social media postingnot Trigger.dev
  • Customer onboardingnot Trigger.dev

Where each one falls short

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

Trigger.dev

  • Unclear scaling costs beyond included limits; pricing becomes complex beyond base plan features
  • No published Enterprise pricing; requires contacting sales
  • HIPAA BAA compliance requires separate add-on request
  • Pro plan uses conditional language that obscures exact overage costs
  • Compute billing granularity is unclear; waits under 5 seconds still consume compute resources

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

Trigger.dev

Free
  • FreeFree
    • $5 monthly credits
    • 20 concurrent runs
    • 1 day log retention
  • Hobby$10/month
    • $10 monthly credits
    • 50 concurrent runs
    • 7 day log retention
  • Pro$50/month
    • $50 monthly credits
    • 200+ concurrent runs
    • 30 day log retention
  • Enterprise$null/month
    • Custom discounts
    • RBAC and SSO
    • SOC 2 reports

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 Trigger.dev if

  • You want to start without paying.
Trigger.dev 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 Trigger.dev or Zapier better?
Neither clearly leads. Trigger.dev 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, Trigger.dev or Zapier?
Trigger.dev starts at Free and Zapier at Free.
Does Trigger.dev or Zapier run on more platforms?
Trigger.dev runs on Web. Zapier runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Trigger.dev for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Trigger.dev best used for?
Trigger.dev is most often used for job automation and workflow orchestration, api-driven task scheduling, background job processing for applications. Of those, job automation and workflow orchestration and api-driven task scheduling are not what Zapier is typically brought in for.
What can Trigger.dev do that Zapier cannot?
Zapier covers App integrations, Workflow automation, Trigger-based actions, Multi-step Zaps.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Trigger.dev: Is there a free plan for Trigger.dev?

Yes, the Free plan offers $5 in monthly credits, 20 concurrent runs, 1 day log retention, and community support at no cost.

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
Trigger.dev: What's the starting price for a paid plan?

The Hobby plan costs $10 per month USD and includes $10 monthly credits, 50 concurrent runs, and 7 day log retention.

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
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
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
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