Like many people, I started using Zapier years ago to connect apps and automate repetitive work. It worked great at first, but as my automations grew, I had to start thinking about cost and flexibility.
This year, I tested seven tools to see what really fits how I work. Here’s what stood out after a few months of use:
Make.com — The most flexible visual builder. It shows every step of your data flow, and once you get used to it, you won’t go back.
Activepieces — An open-source tool that feels modern and clean. You can even host it yourself if you care about privacy or data control.
Integrately — Ideal for quick one-click automations when you just want things to “work” immediately.
Power Automate — Best if you’re already in the Microsoft ecosystem.
n8n — Great for developers or technical users who want complete customization and self-hosting.
Pabbly Connect — Budget-friendly with flat pricing and unlimited workflows.
Workato — Built for larger teams that need complex, cross-department workflows with enterprise-grade integrations.
Each tool has its own personality. Some are visual and beginner-friendly, others are built for teams or developers.
What surprised me most is how fast open-source options like Activepieces are catching up.
If you’re exploring automation or switching from Zapier, I put together a full breakdown with pros, pricing, and use cases here:
👉 7 Best Zapier Alternatives for No-Code Workflow Automation (2025)[https://www.byriwa.com/zapier-alternatives]
I also shared how to design smarter automations using AI here:
👉 AI Workflow Automation: The Complete Guide to Smarter Productivity (2025)[https://byriwa.com/ai-workflow-automation]
Originally published on ByRiwa [https://www.byriwa.com/], where I write about AI, automation, and real productivity tools.
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