Zapier vs Power Automate: Workflow Automation Software Compared (2026)
Zapier and Power Automate are two widely compared automation platforms. Zapier connects web apps with no-code workflows (Zaps), triggering actions across thousands of apps, with AI steps, tables, forms and agents. Microsoft Power Automate automates workflows across Microsoft 365 and other apps with cloud flows and desktop robotic process automation (RPA).
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this page
- 3 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- No winner declaredFit depends on your criteria
- Not tested by Stack18Editorial summary of documented facts
Zapier vs Power Automate: the short answer
Zapier connects web apps with no-code workflows (Zaps), triggering actions across thousands of apps, with AI steps, tables, forms and agents. Microsoft Power Automate automates workflows across Microsoft 365 and other apps with cloud flows and desktop robotic process automation (RPA). Both are automation platforms, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus.
On pricing, Zapier is described as: monthly or annual plans by task volume; Power Automate as: per user, per flow or per bot. Both have a free option. Zapier lists a free option: 100 tasks. Power Automate lists a free option: with M365. Zapier is positioned for non-technical teams connecting many SaaS apps, and Power Automate for Microsoft 365 organisations and legacy-app RPA.
Everything below is drawn from the two sourced profiles and the 3 dated sources listed at the end. Where a source does not document something it is marked Unknown, and third-party estimates are labelled. No winner is declared: the better fit depends on your size, budget and requirements.
Zapier and Power Automate at a glance.
One card per product, drawn from each full profile. Open a profile for features, pricing plans, limits and sources.
Zapier
Zapier · Workflow Automation Software
Zapier connects web apps with no-code workflows (Zaps), triggering actions across thousands of apps, with AI steps, tables, forms and agents.
- Pricing
- Free (100 tasks, two-step Zaps); Professional $19.99 annual ($29.99 monthly; 750 tasks); Team $69 annual ($103.50; 2,000 tasks, 25 users).
- Best for
- Non-technical teams connecting many SaaS apps
Power Automate
Microsoft · Workflow Automation Software
Microsoft Power Automate automates workflows across Microsoft 365 and other apps with cloud flows and desktop robotic process automation (RPA).
- Pricing
- Free with Microsoft 365 on standard connectors; Premium $15 per user a month (annual); Per Flow $500 a month for five flows; unattended bots from $150 each.
- Best for
- Microsoft 365 organisations and legacy-app RPA
Zapier vs Power Automate: feature-by-feature comparison.
Every row is drawn from the sources listed below. Rows that differ are marked, and you can filter the table to show only those.
- YesDocumented
- PartialAvailable with limits or on some plans
- NoDocumented as unavailable
- UnknownNot documented in the sources reviewed
| Dimension |  Zapier |  Power Automate |
|---|---|---|
| Product | ||
| Product typeDiffers | YesNo-code automation | YesMicrosoft automation and RPA |
| VendorDiffers | YesZapier | YesMicrosoft |
| Best forDiffers | YesNon-technical teams connecting many SaaS apps | YesMicrosoft 365 organisations and legacy-app RPA |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing modelDiffers | YesMonthly or annual plans by task volume. | YesPer user, per flow or per bot. |
| Pricing summaryDiffers | YesFree (100 tasks, two-step Zaps); Professional $19.99 annual ($29.99 monthly; 750 tasks); Team $69 annual ($103.50; 2,000 tasks, 25 users). | YesFree with Microsoft 365 on standard connectors; Premium $15 per user a month (annual); Per Flow $500 a month for five flows; unattended bots from $150 each. |
| Free planDiffers | YesYes (100 tasks) | YesYes (with M365) |
| Free trial | NoNot documented | NoNot documented |
| Workflow Automation Software criteria | ||
| Pricing modelDiffers | YesBy tasks | YesPer user / flow / bot |
| Starting priceDiffers | YesFree; $19.99/mo (annual) | YesIncluded with M365; $15/user Premium |
| TypeDiffers | YesNo-code automation | YesAutomation + RPA |
| Best forDiffers | YesApp coverage | YesMicrosoft shops |
| Fit and platform | ||
| Team size | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises |
| PlatformsDiffers | YesWeb | YesWeb, Windows |
| IntegrationsDiffers | YesGoogle Workspace, Slack, Salesforce, HubSpot | YesMicrosoft 365, SharePoint, Dynamics 365, Microsoft Teams |
| API | UnknownNot reviewed for this profile. | UnknownNot reviewed for this profile. |
Zapier vs Power Automate pricing.
Plan names, prices and billing terms as reported in each profile's sources. Taxes, add-ons and discounts are excluded unless stated.
Zapier pricing
Monthly or annual plans by task volume.
- Free$0 · Free
- Professional$19.99 per month · Annual ($29.99 monthly)
- Team$69 per month · Annual ($103.50 monthly)
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Dupple (June 2026); Composio (June 2026), competitor. Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All Zapier plans and sources
Power Automate pricing
Per user, per flow or per bot.
- With Microsoft 365$0 extra · Included
- Premium$15 per user per month · Annual
- Per Flow$500 per month · Monthly
- Unattended botFrom $150 per bot per month · Monthly
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Dupple (June 2026); Automation Atlas (August 2026). Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All Power Automate plans and sourcesZapier vs Power Automate: pricing model, ecosystem and fit.
Pricing model and cost drivers
Zapier: monthly or annual plans by task volume. Dupple (June 2026); Composio (June 2026), competitor. Power Automate: per user, per flow or per bot. Dupple (June 2026); Automation Atlas (August 2026). Model costs at your real seat count, usage and contract term before comparing headline prices.
What sets each apart
The Zapier profile highlights: 8,000+ apps; task pricing; easy start. The Power Automate profile highlights: M365 integration; desktop RPA; complex licensing.
Integrations and ecosystem
Zapier integrations named in its sources: Google Workspace, Slack, Salesforce and HubSpot. Power Automate: Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Teams. Check that the connectors you rely on exist on the plan you would buy.
Deployment and team fit
Zapier runs on Web and is documented for small teams, mid-size teams and large enterprises. Power Automate runs on Web and Windows and is documented for small teams, mid-size teams and large enterprises. We did not test setup or migration.
Zapier and Power Automate: each option, in balance.
Each point is linked to a dated source on the product's profile.
Zapier
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Largest app directory.
- Easy to start.
- Free plan.
- Task pricing gets expensive.
- Overages at 1.25x.
- Every action counts as a task.
Power Automate
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Deep Microsoft 365 integration.
- Desktop RPA for legacy apps.
- Included with some M365 licences.
- Complex licensing.
- Weak on non-Microsoft integrations.
- Heavy outside Microsoft.
Zapier or Power Automate: which fits which situation?
No overall winner is declared. The better choice depends on the criteria that matter most to you, so test both against your own requirements.
Choose Zapier if you are…
- Non-technical teams connecting many SaaS apps
- Small businesses
- Marketing and sales ops
Less suited to: high-volume data processing; self-hosting needs.
See the Zapier profile
Choose Power Automate if you are…
- Microsoft 365 organisations and legacy-app RPA
- IT-led automation
- SharePoint and Teams workflows
Less suited to: non-Microsoft stacks; simple SaaS-to-SaaS zaps.
See the Power Automate profileSwitching between Zapier and Power Automate.
Moving off Zapier or Power Automate means listing every active workflow, rebuilding triggers, steps and data mappings, re-authenticating every connected app, re-creating error alerts and schedules, and running old and new automations side by side until outputs match. Retire old workflows one at a time. Rebuild your three highest-volume workflows in each shortlisted tool, run them for two weeks with real data, and compare reliability, error handling and the projected monthly bill.
- Export a sample of your data and test an import into the other product.
- List the automations, integrations and permissions you would need to rebuild.
- Compare total cost at your real volume, including add-ons and services.
- Pilot with one team before a full cut-over.
- Check contract terms and notice periods with both vendors.
General guidance, not specific to either vendor. Confirm migration options with the vendors.
Zapier vs Power Automate: questions and answers
What is the difference between Zapier and Power Automate?
Zapier connects web apps with no-code workflows (Zaps), triggering actions across thousands of apps, with AI steps, tables, forms and agents. Microsoft Power Automate automates workflows across Microsoft 365 and other apps with cloud flows and desktop robotic process automation (RPA). Both are automation platforms, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus. Zapier is positioned for non-technical teams connecting many SaaS apps; Power Automate for Microsoft 365 organisations and legacy-app RPA.
Is Zapier cheaper than Power Automate?
It depends on your volume and plan. Zapier: Free (100 tasks, two-step Zaps); Professional $19.99 annual ($29.99 monthly; 750 tasks); Team $69 annual ($103.50; 2,000 tasks, 25 users). Power Automate: Free with Microsoft 365 on standard connectors; Premium $15 per user a month (annual); Per Flow $500 a month for five flows; unattended bots from $150 each. Compare both at your real seat count, usage and contract term.
Do Zapier or Power Automate have a free plan?
Both have a free option. Zapier lists a free option: 100 tasks. Power Automate lists a free option: with M365. Zapier free trial: Not documented. Power Automate free trial: Not documented.
Zapier or Power Automate: which is better for small teams?
Zapier and Power Automate are both documented for small teams. Zapier suits non-technical teams connecting many SaaS apps; Power Automate suits Microsoft 365 organisations and legacy-app RPA. Neither is best for everyone.
What are the main limitations of Zapier and Power Automate?
Zapier: Task pricing gets expensive. Power Automate: Complex licensing.
How much does Zapier cost?
Professional is $19.99 a month billed annually for 750 tasks; Team is $69; Free covers 100 tasks.
How much does Power Automate cost?
Standard flows are included with Microsoft 365; Premium is $15 per user a month (annual).
What are the alternatives to Zapier and Power Automate?
Stack18 has alternatives guides for both: Zapier alternatives and Power Automate alternatives, each comparing at least four other automation platforms on pricing, free plan, features and fit. The Workflow Automation Software category lists every profile.
Where this comparison comes from.
- The 8 Best Workflow Automation Tools in 2026 (updated 2 November 2026; prices as of June 2026) Dupple Third-party Accessed 11 Nov 2026
- 8 Best Zapier Alternatives in 2026 (25 June 2026) Composio (competitor blog) Competitor Accessed 11 Nov 2026
- Best iPaaS and integration platforms in 2026 (updated 4 August 2026) Automation Atlas Third-party Accessed 11 Nov 2026
This comparison summarises the Zapier and Power Automate profiles and their sources. Third-party figures are labelled; confirm current pricing and terms with each vendor. Stack18 has not tested these products.
Ready to test Zapier and Power Automate?
Check each vendor's current pricing and terms, run both against a real scenario from your business, or talk to Stack18 if off-the-shelf software is not the answer.
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