Pipedream
Pipedream Inc.
7.7
Overall Score / 10
Zapier
Zapier Inc.
6.5
Overall Score / 10
Our Verdict
Choose Pipedream if:
- —You want the broadest no-code integration catalog
- —Your team is non-technical and needs plug-and-play automations
- —You prefer a simple trigger-action workflow model
Choose Zapier if:
- —You're a developer who wants to write custom code in workflows
- —You need serverless execution with Node.js, Python, or Go
- —You're building data pipelines or API integrations
The biggest difference: Pipedream provides a serverless execution environment for custom code; Zapier is a no-code platform with 7,000+ pre-built app integrations
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Pipedream | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest Paid Plan | $29/mo (Basic)Source: Pipedream Inc. pricing page → | $29.99/mo (Professional)Source: Zapier Inc. pricing page → |
| Free Tier | Yes 100 credits/month, 3 active workflows, 30-second timeout | Yes 100 tasks/month, unlimited Zaps, two-step only (single trigger + single action) |
| Value for Money | 9 | 5 |
| Ease of Use | 5 | 9 |
| Feature Power | 9 | 8 |
| Setup Ease | 6 | 9 |
| Migration Ease | 5 | 4 |
| Transparency | 9 | 5 |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Compliance | SOC 2 Type II, GDPR | SOC 2 Type II, GDPR |
Feature Comparison
Feature Comparison Matrix
17 features compared · 16 differences
| Feature | Pipedream | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| Cron scheduling | Full | None |
| Data stores | Full | None |
| Event sources (triggers) | Full | None |
| Formatter tools | None | Full |
| HTTP endpoints | Full | None |
| Interfaces (forms/pages) | None | Full |
| Multi-step Zaps | None | Full |
| Schedule triggers | None | Full |
| Serverless execution | Full | None |
| Tables (database) | None | Full |
| Advanced | ||
| AI actions | None | Full |
| Custom code (Node.js, Python, Go, Bash) | Full | None |
| Paths (conditional logic) | None | Full |
| Workflow builder | Full | None |
| Integrations | ||
| 2,000+ API integrations | Full | Full |
| 7,000+ app integrations | None | Full |
| Webhooks | None | Full |
Pricing Comparison
Pipedream Pricing
100 credits/month, 3 active workflows
Unlimited workflows, 2,000 credits/month, 15-second timeout
2,000 credits/month, unlimited workflows, priority support
Custom credits, SSO, SLA, dedicated support
Zapier Pricing
100 tasks/mo, unlimited Zaps, two-step only (single trigger + single action)
750 tasks/mo, unlimited Zaps, multi-step
2,000 tasks/mo, shared workspaces, premier support
Custom tasks, admin controls, SAML SSO, audit logs
Who Should Choose Which?
Who should choose Pipedream
Best for
- Developers who want to write code in automation workflows
- Teams needing API-first automation with custom logic
- Developers building internal tools and data pipelines
Avoid if
- You want no-code, visual-only automation
- Your team has no coding experience
- You need a simple trigger-action setup (Zapier is easier)
Who should choose Zapier
Best for
- Non-technical users automating business workflows
- Teams connecting many SaaS apps
- Marketers automating lead capture and nurturing
Avoid if
- You have high-volume automation needs (gets expensive)
- You need complex logic/branching (better tools exist)
- You want self-hosted or data-sensitive workflows
Switching Guidance
Switching from Pipedream
Common triggers to leave:
- •Need no-code interface for non-technical team
- •Need broader pre-built integration library
Potential blockers:
- •Custom code in workflows
- •Data store configurations
- •API integrations built
Switching from Zapier
Common triggers to leave:
- •Task volume costs
- •Need more complex logic
- •Need faster execution
Potential blockers:
- •Hundreds of Zaps built over time
- •Team familiarity
- •Integration breadth
Try Pipedream
Start free — no credit card required
Try Zapier
Start free — no credit card required