How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Make and Activepieces give the most room on a free plan for multi-step workflows, with limits set by credits or flow runs rather than by a small task count.
- IFTTT and Relay.app suit simple, personal automations, while Pabbly Connect suits high-volume, simple workflows on a tight budget.
- Free plans cap volume, speed, or steps, so check the monthly allowance against how often each workflow will actually run.
- Power Automate and Zoho Flow make most sense inside a Microsoft or Zoho setup, where the apps you already use connect with less setup work.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Make | Visual multi-step workflows | See website | Yes |
 IFTTT | Simple personal automations | $2.99 per month (billed annually) | Yes |
 Pabbly Connect | High-volume simple workflows | $19 per month | Yes |
 Activepieces | Open-source style automation | $20 per month | Yes |
 Albato | Ready-made app connections | See website | Yes |
 Zoho Flow | Zoho app users | See website | Yes |
 Microsoft Power Automate | Microsoft 365 teams | See website | Free trial |
 Relay.app | Human-in-the-loop workflows | See website | Yes |
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best free Zapier alternatives
Zapier charges for tasks, and the free plan covers only a small monthly volume. The tools below also move data between apps, but they price that work in different ways. Some count each full workflow run, some count each step, and some offer a self-hosted option that removes the vendor meter entirely. That difference matters more than the headline price, because a five-step workflow can cost one unit on one platform and five units on another. Read the free limits in each section, then match them to the number of runs you expect in a normal month.
#1Make
Best for: Visual multi-step workflows4.6/5 on
G2 (347 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit make.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Make builds workflows, called scenarios, on a visual canvas where each module is a step. You can see data move from one app to the next, add a router to split a workflow into paths, and add a filter so a step only runs when a condition is met. That visibility helps when a workflow breaks, because the run history shows which module stopped and what data it received. For a small business that connects a form, a spreadsheet, and an email tool, the builder is clear enough to follow without writing code.
The free plan includes a monthly credit allowance and a minimum interval between scheduled runs, so it suits testing and light use rather than time-critical work. If a workflow must react the moment an order arrives, the free schedule may be too slow, and a paid plan becomes the real starting point. Pricing scales with credits, so count steps per run times runs per month before you commit. Teams that need many apps and branching logic often find Make a strong fit, while users with only one or two simple connections may not need its depth.
What we like- Visual canvas that shows each step and data path
- Large app catalog
- Routers, filters, and iterators for branching logic
Watch out for- Free plan runs on a slower schedule
- Credit use grows fast with multi-step workflows
#2IFTTT
Best for: Simple personal automations4.5/5 on
G2 (117 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit ifttt.com
Starting price$2.99 per month (billed annually)
Free planYes
IFTTT connects apps and devices through Applets, each built around a trigger and an action. A typical Applet might save email attachments to cloud storage, post a social update when a blog post goes live, or turn on lights at sunset. Setup takes minutes, and the ready-made Applet library means many users never build from scratch. That simplicity is the point, and it is why IFTTT remains popular for personal use and smart-home routines.
The trade-off is scope. The free plan covers only a couple of Applets, so it works for a handful of routines but not for a full business workflow system. Paid plans add more Applets, multi-action Applets, faster runs, and filter code on the highest tier. If your needs are a few reliable personal automations, IFTTT is hard to beat on ease. If you need branching, data transformation, or many business workflows, look at Make or Activepieces instead.
What we like- Very simple setup for single-trigger automations
- Strong smart-home and mobile app coverage
- Large library of ready-made Applets
Watch out for- Free plan allows only a small number of Applets
- Multi-step logic needs a paid plan
#3Pabbly Connect
Best for: High-volume simple workflows4.1/5 on
G2 (30 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit pabbly.com
Starting price$19 per month
Free planYes
Pabbly Connect follows the familiar trigger and action model, with a pricing detail that changes the math for simple workflows. Internal steps, including filters, routers, and formatters, do not count as tasks. Only actions that call an outside app consume the monthly allowance. A workflow that checks a condition, formats a date, and then creates one spreadsheet row therefore costs one task, not four. That makes the paid task allowance stretch further than a first glance suggests.
The free plan is small, at 100 tasks per month, so treat it as a way to test the builder and confirm that your key apps connect. The paid Standard plan covers far more volume at a price below many rivals, and one-time lifetime plans suit buyers who prefer to avoid a monthly bill. The catch is support and polish: documentation and community resources are thinner than those for larger platforms, and some niche apps may be missing. For high-volume, straightforward workflows, Pabbly Connect is a strong budget pick.
What we like- Internal steps such as filters and routers do not consume tasks
- Lifetime purchase options exist
- Unlimited workflows on paid plans
Watch out for- Free plan allows only 100 tasks per month
- App catalog is smaller than Zapier or Make
Starting price$20 per month
Free planYes
Activepieces takes a different approach to billing. On its cloud plans, one credit covers one flow run, however many steps that flow contains. A ten-step workflow therefore costs the same as a one-step workflow, which is a clear advantage for complex processes. The builder is step-based rather than canvas-based, and it includes branching, approvals, and code steps for cases where a visual step is not enough. AI agent features let a flow be described in plain words, with human approval gates for steps that touch money or customers.
The self-hosted Community Edition is free software under the MIT license, with no vendor cap on runs, so teams with server skills can run it for the cost of hosting alone. That freedom comes with responsibility for updates, backups, and security. The cloud free plan suits testing and light use. Activepieces fits teams that want open-source control and per-run pricing, and it fits less well for users who want the widest possible app catalog on day one.
What we like- Self-hosted Community Edition with no vendor run cap
- One credit per flow run regardless of step count
- MIT-licensed core
Watch out for- Smaller app catalog than Zapier
- Self-hosting needs server setup and upkeep
#5Albato
Best for: Ready-made app connections4.6/5 on
G2 (510 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit albato.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Albato focuses on getting a working automation live with as little building as possible. Its catalog includes ready-made automations for common pairs, such as sending form leads to a CRM or syncing orders to a spreadsheet. You pick a template, connect the apps, map the fields, and turn it on. That approach suits small teams that want results this week, not a week spent learning a builder. The platform also includes an app integrator for connecting tools that lack a ready template.
Free use is limited to a small number of transactions and a few steps per automation, so it works as a trial rather than a long-term free home. Paid plans raise transaction limits and remove step limits. Albato is a good pick when your app pairs are common and your workflows are straightforward. For highly custom logic, or for very high volume on a tight budget, Pabbly Connect or a self-hosted tool may cost less.
What we like- Large library of ready-made automations
- Simple setup for common app pairs
- Built-in tools for data mapping and migration
Watch out for- Free plan limits transactions and steps
- Higher tiers rise in price quickly for larger teams
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Zoho Flow connects Zoho apps, such as Zoho CRM, Zoho Books, and Zoho Desk, with outside tools including Google Workspace, Slack, and Shopify. Workflows can include decisions, delays, loops, and custom functions written in Deluge, Zoho scripting language. For a team that already runs on Zoho, that depth matters: a new lead can trigger a CRM record, a task, a notification, and a follow-up email without a separate integration project. The builder is visual, and the field mapping is clear for standard app pairs.
Outside the Zoho world, Zoho Flow is still capable, but its advantage narrows, and Make or Activepieces may offer a wider catalog or lower entry price. Pricing is listed on the vendor site and varies by flow volume, so check the current page before budgeting. Zoho Flow is the natural pick for Zoho-centered teams, and a reasonable shortlist candidate for anyone who wants a capable visual builder with a free starting tier.
What we like- Deep connections across Zoho apps
- Visual builder with logic and custom functions
- Fits teams already paying for Zoho
Watch out for- Strongest inside the Zoho ecosystem
- Outside apps vary in depth
#7Microsoft Power Automate
Best for: Microsoft 365 teams4.4/5 on
G2 (1,092 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit microsoft.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Power Automate comes in two main forms: cloud flows that move data between apps, and desktop flows that automate repetitive steps on a Windows computer. A team on Microsoft 365 can build a flow that saves email attachments to SharePoint, posts a Teams message when a form arrives, or approves a request through Teams. Standard connectors are included in some Microsoft 365 plans, which can make the first automations effectively free for existing subscribers. That bundled access is a real advantage that outside tools cannot match.
The complexity arrives with premium connectors, such as Salesforce or SQL Server, which need a standalone license, and with unattended desktop automation, which uses separate bot pricing. Read the pricing page with your exact app list in hand, because the cost depends on which connectors each flow uses. Power Automate fits Microsoft-centered workplaces best. Teams that live in Google Workspace or a mix of unrelated apps will likely get simpler pricing elsewhere.
What we like- Deep Microsoft 365 and Teams integration
- Desktop flows for repetitive computer tasks
- Included in some Microsoft 365 plans for standard connectors
Watch out for- Pricing is complex across premium connectors and bot licenses
- Best value stays inside Microsoft tools
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Relay.app blends automation with human steps. A workflow can pause for a person to approve a message, fill in a missing field, or review an AI draft before it goes out. That design fits processes that are mostly automatic but still need judgment at one point, such as approving social posts, reviewing lead data, or checking an invoice before it is sent. AI steps can summarize text, extract fields from documents, and draft replies, with the human step acting as a check before anything reaches a customer.
The free plan covers light use and lets a small team test the human-step model on a real process. Paid plans raise run volume and add team features. The app catalog is smaller than Zapier or Make, so confirm that your core apps are covered before building around Relay.app. For teams whose workflows stall because a person must intervene, Relay.app solves a problem that pure automation tools handle awkwardly.
What we like- Built-in human approval and data-entry steps
- AI steps for summarizing and extracting data
- Clear run history for each workflow
Watch out for- Smaller app catalog than the largest platforms
- Newer platform with fewer templates
How we chose
We compared pricing pages, documentation, and public reviews on G2, Capterra, and Reddit, and we checked each tool for a genuine free tier or trial, a working app catalog, and a fit for small teams or solo users. Tools were kept only when they exist today, connect real apps, and offer a free starting point that a US reader can actually use. Prices shown here come from vendor pricing pages and third-party pricing summaries checked in October 2026, and where a price could not be confirmed at the time of writing, the entry reads See website. We did not run hands-on tests for this guide, and we did not rank tools by a lab score. The order reflects a mix of free-plan value, breadth of integrations, and fit for common small-business workflows.
What to check before you pick a free plan
A free plan is only free up to its limits, and those limits differ in ways that are easy to miss. Start by counting how many times each workflow will run in a month, then multiply by the number of billable steps or runs the platform charges for. A workflow that runs every fifteen minutes will use far more allowance than one that runs when a form is submitted, even if both look simple on screen. Also check the schedule interval on free plans, because a slow poll can delay a time-sensitive workflow by minutes.
Count billable units, not workflows
List each workflow, its trigger, and its steps. On Zapier-style platforms, each action step counts. On Make, each module counts as a credit. On Activepieces, one run counts once. That single difference can change the monthly cost by a large factor, so run the numbers for your busiest workflow before you choose.
Check app coverage for your exact stack
A catalog of thousands of apps means little if your CRM, form tool, or payment app is missing or limited to basic triggers. Open each candidate, search for your five most-used apps, and check whether the triggers and actions you need exist. A missing trigger often forces a workaround with webhooks, which adds setup work and failure points.
Plan the upgrade path
Free plans are a starting point, not a permanent home for growing volume. Look at the first paid tier, what it adds, and whether the price jumps sharply at the next tier. A tool with a gentle upgrade path usually costs less over a year than a tool that is free at first and expensive at the first real volume step.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a truly free Zapier alternative?
Yes, several tools offer free plans with no time limit, including Make, Activepieces, Pabbly Connect, and IFTTT. Each free plan caps volume, steps, or speed, so a free plan suits light use and testing. For daily business volume, expect to move to a paid tier on any platform.
Which free Zapier alternative is best for beginners?
IFTTT is the simplest starting point for personal automations, because Applets need only a trigger and an action. Make is the better beginner pick for business workflows, because its visual canvas shows each step and makes errors easier to trace. Pick IFTTT for a few routines, and Make for workflows you need to understand and maintain.
Can I self-host a free Zapier alternative?
Yes. Activepieces offers a free self-hosted Community Edition under the MIT license, and you pay only for the server that runs it. Self-hosting gives control over data and removes vendor run caps, but it also means you handle updates, backups, and security. Teams without server experience usually do better on a managed cloud free plan.
Do free plans include premium apps?
It depends on the platform. Some free plans include most apps but limit volume, while others restrict premium connectors to paid plans. Check the pricing page for each app you need, because a free plan that excludes your CRM or payment tool will not help even if the volume looks generous.
How many automations can I run for free?
That depends on how the platform counts use. A free plan might allow 100 tasks, 1,000 credits, or a set number of Applets per month. Count runs per month, multiply by billable steps where the platform charges per step, and compare that total with the free allowance before you build.
When should I pay instead of staying free?
Pay when a workflow is time-critical, runs often, or supports a business process that cannot fail quietly. Paid plans usually add faster schedules, more volume, error handling, and support. If a free plan delay or cap could cost a lead or a customer reply, the paid tier is usually worth it.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.make.com/pricing
- https://ifttt.com/plans
- https://www.pabbly.com/connect/pricing/
- https://www.activepieces.com/pricing
- https://www.albato.com/pricing
- https://www.zoho.com/flow/pricing.html
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/products/power-automate/pricing
- https://www.relay.app/pricing
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.