⚙️ Automation Comparison

Activepieces vs Zapier

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

Last updated: 2026-02-07

Activepieces

Free tier, self-host free, cloud from $5/flow/mo

Strengths

  • + Fully open-source with unlimited self-hosted tasks
  • + Cloud pricing based on active flows, not task counts
  • + Clean visual builder with AI agent support

Weaknesses

  • Smaller integration library than Zapier or Make
  • Relatively new project, still maturing
Visit Activepieces →

Zapier

Free tier, paid from $19.99/mo

Strengths

  • + 5000+ app integrations
  • + No-code automation
  • + Reliable and battle-tested

Weaknesses

  • Gets expensive at scale
  • Complex zaps can be fiddly
Visit Zapier →

The verdict

Which one is right for you?

Choose Activepieces if you want

  • Fully open-source with unlimited self-hosted tasks
  • Cloud pricing based on active flows, not task counts

Choose Zapier if you want

  • 5000+ app integrations
  • No-code automation

In depth

About each tool

Activepieces

Open-source automation platform and self-hostable alternative to Zapier

Activepieces is an open-source workflow automation tool that can be self-hosted for free with no task limits, or used as a managed cloud service. The cloud free plan includes 1,000 task executions per month, while the Standard plan charges $5 per active flow per month with unlimited runs. For solo founders who want full data control without per-task pricing, the self-hosted Community Edition is a strong alternative to Zapier and Make.

Zapier

Connect apps and automate workflows without code

Zapier connects your apps so they talk to each other automatically. If this, then that — but for everything. Founded by Wade Foster and Bryan Helmig, essentially bootstrapped from $0 to $5B valuation (only raised $1.2M seed in 2012). Profitable since 2014. Remote-first since day one.

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