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WSO2 API Manager vs Zapier Plus

WSO2 API Manager logo

WSO2 API Manager

Software

Complete API management platform for designing and managing APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zapier Plus logo

Zapier Plus

Software

Advanced automation with Zapier

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: WSO2 API Manager the free open source distribution does not include a subscription to the WSO2 Update service, so continuous improvements and security patches require a paid subscription; Zapier Plus task-based pricing model becomes expensive at scale (10,000 tasks per month costs approximately $600/month)
  • They diverge on capability: WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway, Zapier Plus covers Advanced app integrations.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which WSO2 API Manager and Zapier Plus actually diverge.

Attributes where WSO2 API Manager and Zapier Plus differ
AttributeWSO2 API ManagerZapier Plus
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
PlatformsJava, Linux, Docker, KubernetesWeb
Founded20052011

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 WSO2 API Manager

  • API Gateway
  • API Designer
  • Developer Portal
  • LDAP
  • Okta
  • Keycloak
  • Microservices
  • Java support

Only in Zapier Plus

  • Advanced app integrations
  • Workflow automation
  • Multi-step Zaps
  • Custom logic
  • Webhooks
  • Team collaboration
  • Premium support
  • 7000+ apps

What people use each for

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

WSO2 API Manager

  • Publishing, securing and rate limiting APIs behind a gatewaynot Zapier Plus
  • Running an API developer portal with subscription key managementnot Zapier Plus
  • Self hosting an open source API management layer on premisesnot Zapier Plus

Zapier Plus

  • Workflow Automationnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Data Integrationnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Process Automationnot WSO2 API Manager
  • App Integrationnot WSO2 API Manager
  • API Connectivitynot WSO2 API Manager

Where each one falls short

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

WSO2 API Manager

  • The free open source distribution does not include a subscription to the WSO2 Update service, so continuous improvements and security patches require a paid subscription
  • A commercial production licence is not part of the free download and comes only with a subscription
  • No subscription price is published; Basic Support and Enterprise Support both require contacting sales for a quote
  • 24x7x365 coverage requires Enterprise Support; the general query SLA is one business day
  • A Customer Success Manager is a paid optional add on covering business hours only
  • Consulting services and WSO2 Private Cloud hosting are quoted separately

Zapier Plus

  • Task-based pricing model becomes expensive at scale (10,000 tasks per month costs approximately $600/month)
  • Free plan limited to 2-step Zaps only and 100 tasks per month, with no access to webhooks or advanced features
  • 15-minute polling interval on free plan prevents real-time automation triggers
  • Limited support for complex nested conditional logic compared to workflow platforms like n8n or Make
  • Third-party orchestration layer adds latency compared to native integrations within single platforms

Pricing, plan by plan

WSO2 API Manager

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Core API management
    • Community support
  • Commercial$undefined/monthly
    • Enterprise features
    • Technical support
    • SLA

Zapier Plus

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 100 tasks per month
    • Unlimited Zaps, Tables, and Forms
    • 2-step Zaps only
  • Professional$19.99/month (annual pricing)
    • 750+ tasks per month
    • Multi-step Zaps
    • Webhook support
  • Team$69/month (annual pricing)
    • 2,000+ tasks per month
    • All Professional features
    • 25 users

Which should you pick?

Choose WSO2 API Manager if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
  • You also want api designer.
WSO2 API Manager review

Choose Zapier Plus if

  • You need advanced app integrations.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want workflow automation.
Zapier Plus review

Questions people ask

Is WSO2 API Manager or Zapier Plus better?
Neither clearly leads. WSO2 API Manager starts at Free and Zapier Plus at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, WSO2 API Manager or Zapier Plus?
WSO2 API Manager starts at Free and Zapier Plus at Free.
Does WSO2 API Manager or Zapier Plus run on more platforms?
WSO2 API Manager runs on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes. Zapier Plus runs on Web.
Can I use WSO2 API Manager for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is WSO2 API Manager best used for?
WSO2 API Manager is most often used for publishing, securing and rate limiting apis behind a gateway, running an api developer portal with subscription key management, self hosting an open source api management layer on premises. Of those, publishing, securing and rate limiting apis behind a gateway and running an api developer portal with subscription key management are not what Zapier Plus is typically brought in for.
What can WSO2 API Manager do that Zapier Plus cannot?
WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway, API Designer, Developer Portal, LDAP. Zapier Plus covers Advanced app integrations, Workflow automation, Multi-step Zaps, Custom logic.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Zapier Plus: How much does Zapier cost and what is included in each plan?

Zapier offers a Free plan with 100 tasks per month at no cost. The Professional plan starts at $19.99 per month (billed annually) for 750 tasks, with pricing scaling up based on task volume. The Team plan starts at $69 per month for 2,000 tasks. Enterprise plans are custom priced. Annual subscriptions receive 33% off compared to month-to-month billing.

Source
Zapier Plus: What is a task in Zapier and how much does it cost if I exceed my plan limit?

Each trigger and action pair in a Zapier workflow counts as one task. For example, a 5-step Zap that runs 1,000 times per month uses 5,000 tasks. If you exceed your plan's task limit, you can enable pay-per-task overage pricing. At higher volumes, Zapier can cost significantly more than competitors like Make or n8n.

Source
Zapier Plus: What can I do with Zapier's free plan?

The Free plan includes 100 tasks per month, unlimited Zap workflows, unlimited Tables and Forms, two-factor authentication, and basic AI features. However, it is limited to simple 2-step Zaps (one trigger, one action), no webhook support, 15-minute polling intervals for trigger checks, and only 2,500 records in Tables.

Source
Zapier Plus: How many apps and integrations does Zapier support?

Zapier supports integration with over 7,000 applications and services, including all major SaaS platforms such as Salesforce, HubSpot, Slack, Notion, GitHub, Stripe, Xero, and QuickBooks. This extensive app library is one of Zapier's main competitive advantages.

Source
Zapier Plus: Does Zapier support webhooks and advanced workflow features?

Professional and higher plans support webhooks, allowing data from apps without native Zapier integrations. Multi-step Zaps support conditional paths, filters, and approval workflows. Code steps allow custom JavaScript or Python logic for advanced automation. The free plan does not support webhooks.

Source
Zapier Plus: What are Zapier's limitations for complex automation scenarios?

Zapier's linear workflow builder struggles with deeply nested conditions and multi-outcome branching logic. As a third-party orchestration layer, Zapier adds latency compared to native integrations. Free plan polling is every 15 minutes, limiting real-time responsiveness. For high-volume automation (10,000+ tasks/month), Zapier becomes significantly more expensive than alternatives.

Source
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