Pipedream vs Zapier
Pipedream and Zapier are both workflow automation tools. Pipedream is aimed at developers, while Zapier is aimed at small businesses and freelancers. Zapier costs less, from $29.99/mo versus $150/mo for Pipedream. Both have a free plan.
| Pricing | Freemium · $150 | Freemium · $30 |
| Starting price | $150/mo | $29.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | 14 days |
| Built for | Developers | Small businesses, Freelancers |
| Platforms | web | web |
| Country | US · 2019 | US · 2011 |
| Rating | — | — |
Choose Pipedream if
Developers who want fast integrations with code flexibility.
- Code when you need it, prebuilt when you don't
- Managed auth saves time
- Free tier for development
Look elsewhere if: Non-technical users (Zapier, Make).
Choose Zapier if
Business teams and small companies automating moderate-volume workflows across many SaaS tools.
- Widest integration coverage anywhere
- Easy for non-technical users
- Reliable, well-documented, strong support
Look elsewhere if: High-volume pipelines or technical teams; Make or self-hosted n8n cost a fraction per run.
Pipedream vs Zapier pricing
Pipedream
- Free$0Development only, 3,000+ connectors, unlimited team members
- Startup$150/mo$99/mo billed annually; production, 100 users, 10,000 credits
- BusinessCustomVolume pricing, SSO, SCIM, HIPAA, SLAs
Zapier
- Free$0100 tasks/mo, two-step Zaps
- Professional$29.99/mo$19.99/mo billed yearly; 750 tasks, multi-step
- Team$103.50/mo$69/mo billed yearly; 2,000 tasks, 25 users, SSO
- EnterpriseCustomUnlimited users, advanced admin
Pipedream · Key features
- 2,500+ app integrations with managed OAuth
- Code steps in Node, Python, Go, Bash
- Event sources, HTTP triggers and schedules
- Logs, retries and concurrency controls
- Pipedream Connect for embedded integrations
- MCP servers for AI agents
Cons
- Developer-oriented UX
- Credits model to understand
- No self-hosting
Zapier · Key features
- 8,000+ app integrations with triggers and actions
- Multi-step Zaps with paths, filters, formatters and delays
- Webhooks, code steps and AI steps (ChatGPT, Claude)
- Tables and Interfaces for lightweight apps and forms
- Zapier Agents for AI-driven automation
- Team workspaces, folders and version history
Cons
- Task-based pricing gets expensive at volume
- Polling delays on lower plans
- Complex branching is clumsier than Make
Pipedream vs Zapier: FAQ
Which is cheaper, Pipedream or Zapier?
Zapier starts at $29.99/mo and Pipedream at $150/mo. Both prices are checked on the vendors' own pricing pages.
Do Pipedream and Zapier have a free plan?
Yes, both Pipedream and Zapier have a free plan; paid plans add more usage and features.
Which is better for small businesses, Pipedream or Zapier?
Zapier lists small businesses as a core audience, while Pipedream is aimed more at developers.