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Best Zapier Alternatives

Reviewed byRoman K

5 alternatives to Zapier in Automation, compared by pricing, DX grade, security, and vendor lock-in.

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Inngest

TypeScript workflows, event-driven

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Price vs Zapier

Developer-first, code-based

DX Grade

Security

Lock-in Risk

Low (2/10)

Trigger.dev

Code-based jobs, OSS, long-running tasks

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Price vs Zapier

Free self-hosted

DX Grade

Security

Lock-in Risk

Low (1/10)

n8n

Visual workflows, self-hosted alternative

Price vs Zapier

Free self-hosted

DX Grade

Security

Lock-in Risk

Low (1/10)

Make

Complex branching, visual builder, cost-effective at scale

Price vs Zapier

3-5x cheaper

DX Grade

Security

Lock-in Risk

Medium (3/10)

Windmill

Script-first workflows, TypeScript/Python, approval flows

Price vs Zapier

Free self-hosted

DX Grade

Security

Lock-in Risk

Low (1/10)

Pricing and traction at a glance

Of the 5 alternatives listed, 2 are tracked with full data: 2 keep a free plan. Paid entries run from $0/mo (Inngest) to $0/mo (Trigger.dev). Trigger.dev carries the most GitHub traction with 15,500 stars. Switching cost is usually driven by lock-in, not by the sticker price.

Tool	Pricing	Free plan	GitHub stars
Inngest	freemium — from $0/mo	yes	5,540
Trigger.dev	freemium — from $0/mo	yes	15,500

FAQ

What are the best Zapier alternatives in 2026?

The top alternatives to Zapier are Inngest, Trigger.dev, n8n, Make, Windmill. Each offers different trade-offs in pricing, developer experience, and lock-in risk.

Is there a free alternative to Zapier?

Several Zapier alternatives offer free tiers or self-hosted options: Trigger.dev (Free self-hosted), n8n (Free self-hosted), Windmill (Free self-hosted).

How many Zapier alternatives are tracked here?

5 in the Automation category, compared on price difference, lock-in risk and developer experience where editorial data exists.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Zapier alternatives in 2026?▾

The top alternatives to Zapier are Inngest, Trigger.dev, n8n, Make, Windmill. Each offers different trade-offs in pricing, developer experience, and lock-in risk.

Is there a free alternative to Zapier?▾

Several Zapier alternatives offer free tiers or self-hosted options: Trigger.dev (Free self-hosted), n8n (Free self-hosted), Windmill (Free self-hosted).

How many Zapier alternatives are tracked here?▾

5 in the Automation category, compared on price difference, lock-in risk and developer experience where editorial data exists.