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Automation Integration · head to head

Windmill vs Zapier

Windmill logo

Windmill

Automation Integration

Open-source developer platform for building scripts, workflows, and internal apps

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: Windmill free self-hosted tier caps SSO users at 10 and workspaces at 3, requiring Enterprise for larger teams.; Zapier the free plan allows 100 tasks per month and only two-step Zaps, one trigger and one action
  • They diverge on capability: Windmill covers Script-to-workflow engine, Zapier covers App integrations.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Windmill and Zapier actually diverge.

Attributes where Windmill and Zapier differ
AttributeWindmillZapier
Pricing modelopen-sourceusage-based
Platformsweb, api, linux, windows, macWeb, 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 Windmill

  • Script-to-workflow engine
  • Auto-generated UIs
  • Self-hosted deployment
  • Git sync
  • SSO support
  • Audit logs

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.

Windmill

  • Turning ad-hoc scripts into scheduled jobs and APIsnot Zapier
  • Building internal tools from existing Python/TypeScript codenot Zapier
  • Self-hosted automation for engineering teamsnot Zapier
  • Orchestrating multi-language workflowsnot Zapier

Zapier

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

Where each one falls short

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

Windmill

  • Free self-hosted tier caps SSO users at 10 and workspaces at 3, requiring Enterprise for larger teams.
  • Compute unit and seat-based pricing (developer vs. operator seats, worker compute units) adds pricing complexity beyond a flat monthly fee.
  • Email triggers are capped at 100/day on the free tier, limiting event-driven use cases without upgrading.
  • Smaller ecosystem of pre-built integrations compared to more established automation tools like n8n.

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

Windmill

Free
  • Free / Open-sourceFree
    • Unlimited executions
    • Self-hosted deployment
    • Max 10 users with SSO
  • Enterprise$120/month
    • Unlimited executions and workspaces
    • Uncapped SSO seats
    • 24/7 priority support (3-hour response)

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 Windmill if

  • You need script-to-workflow engine.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, api, linux, windows, mac.
  • You also want auto-generated uis.
Windmill 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 Windmill or Zapier better?
Neither clearly leads. Windmill 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, Windmill or Zapier?
Windmill starts at Free and Zapier at Free.
Does Windmill or Zapier run on more platforms?
Windmill runs on web, api, linux, windows, mac. Zapier runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Windmill for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Windmill best used for?
Windmill is most often used for turning ad-hoc scripts into scheduled jobs and apis, building internal tools from existing python/typescript code, self-hosted automation for engineering teams, orchestrating multi-language workflows. Of those, turning ad-hoc scripts into scheduled jobs and apis and building internal tools from existing python/typescript code are not what Zapier is typically brought in for.
What can Windmill do that Zapier cannot?
Windmill covers Script-to-workflow engine, Auto-generated UIs, Self-hosted deployment, Git sync. Zapier covers App integrations, Workflow automation, Trigger-based actions, Multi-step Zaps.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Windmill: What does Windmill cost?

Windmill's Free and Open-source edition is $0/month for self-hosted use with unlimited executions, while Enterprise starts at $120/month with unlimited workspaces and uncapped SSO seats, priced further by developer/operator seats and compute units.

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
Windmill: Is there a free plan and what are its limits?

The free self-hosted plan supports unlimited executions but caps SSO at 10 users, workspaces at 3, groups/permissions at 4, and email triggers at 100 per day.

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
Windmill: How is usage metered on Windmill Enterprise?

Enterprise usage is metered through seats (developer seats at $20/month, operator seats at $10/month) and compute units, e.g. $100/month for 2 standard-worker compute units.

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
Windmill: What happens to a self-hosted Windmill deployment if the company shuts down?

The pricing page addresses this directly as an FAQ topic, noting that self-hosted applications built on the open-source edition can continue running independently of Windmill the company.

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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