Looking for a Make alternative? We compare the 10 best automation platforms in 2026 so you can find the right fit for your team.
Time to move on from Make?
Make (formerly Integromat) has been a mainstay in the automation world for years—most people know it as the go-to alternative to Zapier. It's a visual-first, no-code platform built for power users, automation consultants, and technically-minded teams. Make now powers hundreds of thousands of organizations globally, and the team keeps shipping—a revamped AI Agents app (launched in open beta February 2026), MCP server support, credit-based pricing, and more.
But if you've been using Make—or eyeing it as an option—you've probably bumped into some familiar pain points:
The learning curve is real. Modules, routers, iterators, aggregators—there's a lot to wrap your head around. Most users report needing 2–4 hours just to feel comfortable building multi-step scenarios, and non-technical folks often need significantly longer.
Credit-based pricing can spiral fast. Make transitioned from operations to credits as its billing unit in late 2025. Standard module actions still cost 1 credit each, but AI-powered modules and advanced features consume significantly more based on token usage, file size, or processing complexity. A complex AI prompt processing a large document can burn through hundreds of credits in a single run.
Reliability frustrations persist. Errors, performance hiccups, and unexpected workflow failures remain a common complaint across review sites and community forums.
The AI experience still trails purpose-built tools. Make has added AI agents and an AI toolkit, but the agentic experience still isn't as seamless or intuitive as platforms designed from the ground up for AI-human collaboration.
If any of that resonates—or you just want to see what else the 2026 automation landscape has to offer—you're in the right place.
TL;DR
First, if you only have 30 seconds, here's the cheat sheet:
• If you want the best all-around experience blending AI agents with human-in-the-loop collaboration, start with Relay.app.
• If you need the largest integration library and a familiar interface, go with Zapier.
• If you're an enterprise IT team automating mission-critical processes, Workato or Tray are your best bets.
• If you're deep in the Microsoft ecosystem, Power Automate is the natural choice.
• If you're an engineer or want open-source flexibility, check out n8n, Pipedream, or ActivePieces.
• If you're on a tight budget, ActivePieces, Albato, and Integrately offer generous free tiers or affordable pricing.
Now, if you've got a few more minutes, read on for what to look for in an automation tool—and a full breakdown of each option.
What to look for in a Make alternative
If you're shopping for a Make alternative, you might already have a specific frustration driving the search. Maybe you need something easier to learn, more reliable at scale, or more affordable as your automation footprint grows. But whether you're new to the space or just want to make sure you're comparing apples to apples, here's what we think matters most—and what we used as criteria for every tool on this list:
🖼 Intuitive interface
The whole point of automation platforms is to let people who don't write code build automated workflows. So the single most important criterion is how intuitive the tool is for less technical users. Can a novice get up and running quickly? Is there a modern drag-and-drop builder? Is it clear how to test, debug, and fix complex workflows? Do you need to understand APIs, or can you work with simpler constructs?
Make's interface is visual, but it's notoriously complex. If you're not used to thinking in flowcharts or debugging multi-branch logic, it can feel intimidating and time-consuming. Most reviewers flag a 2–4 hour learning curve just to build basic multi-step scenarios—and non-technical users often need much longer. If that complexity is what's pushing you to look elsewhere, make this your #1 priority.
🤖 AI and agentic capabilities
In 2026, AI isn't a nice-to-have—it's the engine driving modern automation. AI agents are becoming full-fledged workflow engines: detecting work, initiating actions, completing multi-step tasks, and even collaborating with each other via protocols like MCP and A2A. So your next platform needs to make AI genuinely easy to use. Can you experiment with different AI models without juggling separate API keys and accounts? Can you build AI agents that take autonomous action? Can you add a human-in-the-loop to review and approve AI outputs before they execute? Do you get access to all the leading models—GPT, Claude, Gemini, Llama, DeepSeek?
Even if you don't need full agentic capabilities today, how a platform answers these questions tells you a lot about how innovative and future-proof it really is.
🖇 Integrations
An automation tool is only as good as the apps it connects. You need pre-built connectors for the tools your team actually uses. Most platforms cover the basics—Gmail, Google Drive, Slack, Notion, Salesforce, HubSpot, and so on. But before committing, double-check that the platform supports the specific triggers and actions your workflows require.
Make offers 3,000+ integrations, but that's still well behind Zapier's 7,000+. Coverage varies wildly across the field. If you rely on niche or industry-specific software, this could be your deciding factor.
💰 Price and value
Most automation tools use a mix of fixed monthly plans and usage-based pricing—and the details matter more than you'd think. Make transitioned from "operations" to "credits" as its billing unit in late 2025. Standard module actions still cost 1 credit, but AI-powered modules and advanced features can consume significantly more credits based on token usage, file size, or processing complexity. On top of that, extra credit purchases come with a 25% surcharge. So don't just compare sticker prices—dig into how each platform meters usage and what you actually get per dollar.
Do you need multi-step workflows? Advanced conditional logic? Built-in AI credits? Make sure the platform you choose offers competitive, transparent pricing that won't catch you off guard as your automation scales.
The 10 best Make alternatives in 2026
1.
Relay.app
Relay.app stands out because it is incredibly easy to use. Non-technical users that have struggled with tools like Zapier and Make.com can create AI agents in minutes. To create agents in Relay.app, all you need to do is explain what you want in plain language, and Relay.app will create the agentic workflow for you. This model combines the ease-of-use of chat with the predictability and reliability of workflows. Relay.app also has the strongest human in the loop features that keep you in control and ensure that you can trust the work of your agents.
✅ Pros
Ease of use for all types of users to create their own AI agents with a simple chat experience.
Visual workflow representation that gives you confidence in how your AI agent will work on tasks.
Human-in-the-loop features for reviewing or approving actions, so you maintain control over what the AI does.
Built-in AI credits and model integration – use OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini and more, without manual API keys.
❌ Cons
Integration library still growing – as a newer platform, it may not yet have every app integration that incumbents like Zapier offer.
💰 Pricing
Free tier: Yes – includes 200 automation steps and 500 AI credits per month.
Professional: $19/month billed annually (generous for single users or small teams).
Team: $69/month billed annually (higher capacity and collaboration).
Enterprise: Custom pricing for large organizations.
Takeaway
If Relay.app supports the integrations you need, it should be your first choice for building AI agents. Users praise its exceptionally easy UI and smooth experience, which is why Relay is often highlighted as the easiest-to-use AI agent builder for beginners.
2.
Zapier
Zapier is a very well-known automation tool (the "OG" of no-code workflows) that has significantly expanded its AI capabilities. Traditionally, Zapier connects your apps: "When X happens in app A, do Y in app B." Now, Zapier offers dedicated AI Agents, AI Chatbots, Canvas (for visually designing automation systems), and MCP (Model Context Protocol) for connecting AI tools to its ecosystem. Zapier isn't an AI-specialized platform like some others here, but its strength is the 8,000+ app integrations it supports. This means you can trigger AI agents based on almost any event (new email, form submission, CRM update—you name it) and then have the AI perform an action or generate content as part of the workflow. Use cases: e.g., automatically summarize every new support ticket with GPT and post it to Slack, or generate a draft email reply when a lead comes in, etc., all using Zapier's workflow editor.
✅ Pros
Massive integration ecosystem: Zapier connects with over 8,000 apps, so your AI agent can interact with nearly any tool your business uses — unmatched in the industry.
Mature product and platform: Zapier has a reputation for dependable execution of workflows and extensive documentation + community support.
Extensive template library: Thousands of pre-built Zap templates (including many with AI) to get you started quickly.
Expanding AI toolkit: Now offers dedicated AI Agents, Chatbots, Canvas, and MCP support alongside its core automation platform.
❌ Cons
AI agent capabilities not as advanced: Zapier's AI features are still maturing compared to specialized AI agent builders.
More difficult to evolve an older product: Zapier's legacy as an if-this-then-that tool can make it harder to match the ease of use that cutting-edge AI demands.
Fragmented pricing for AI features: AI Agents and Chatbots are separate paid add-ons on top of the base platform, which adds complexity and cost.
💰 Pricing
Free Tier: Yes – 100 tasks/month with two-step Zaps, plus Tables, Forms, and Zapier MCP included.
Professional: Starting from $19.99/month (billed annually) – multi-step Zaps, unlimited premium apps, Tables, Forms, and MCP included.
Team: Starting from $69/month (billed annually) – 25 users, shared Zaps, SAML SSO.
Enterprise: Custom pricing – unlimited users, advanced admin controls, observability.
AI Agents add-on: Free (400 activities/mo) or Pro ($33.33/mo for 1,500 activities).
Chatbots add-on: Free (2 chatbots), Pro ($13.33/mo for 5 chatbots), or Advanced ($66.67/mo for 20 chatbots).
Takeaway
If you already use Zapier for automation, it's a natural step to experiment with its AI features. It's best for scenarios where connecting different apps is the priority, and AI just plays one part in the workflow. It's a safe choice if you use niche tools that aren't covered by other platforms in this category.
3.
Workato
Workato is an enterprise-grade iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) that has expanded into agentic AI with its Enterprise MCP (Model Context Protocol). It connects 1,200+ apps and enables organizations to build workflows, automate business processes, and deploy AI agents across departments like IT, Sales, HR, and Support. Recognized as a 7x Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for iPaaS, Workato is trusted by large enterprises like Adobe, Cisco, Vodafone, and Atlassian. The platform includes Agent Studio for building AI agents with a low-code visual editor, embedded integration capabilities for SaaS products, and deep enterprise governance features including SSO, RBAC, and audit trails. Workato is purpose-built for mid-to-large organizations with complex, cross-departmental integration and automation needs.
✅ Pros
Deep enterprise connector library with 1,200+ pre-built integrations and support for on-premises apps and databases.
7x Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader with built-in governance, authentication, and audit trails at every layer.
Enterprise MCP connects AI agents like Claude, OpenAI, and Copilot to business systems with transactional integrity and rollback.
Agent Studio enables building and deploying AI agents across departments with low-code visual design.
❌ Cons
No transparent pricing — all plans require contacting sales for a custom quote, making it hard to evaluate upfront.
Enterprise-first design can feel heavyweight and complex for small teams or simple automation use cases.
Steep onboarding curve compared to lighter-weight automation and AI agent tools.
No free tier available for individual users or small teams to experiment before committing.
💰 Pricing
No public pricing — all plans require contacting sales for a custom quote.
Platform editions: Standard, Business, Enterprise, and Workato One (full platform with Agentic Orchestration).
Consumption-based usage billed by capability (Workflows, APIM, Event Streams) — forecasted and tracked for predictability.
All editions include: Unlimited connections, unlimited collaborators, unlimited workflows, security & data protection, RBAC, and in-product support.
Takeaway
Workato is a powerhouse for large enterprises that need deep integrations, governance, and AI agent orchestration at scale. Its Enterprise MCP and Gartner-leading iPaaS engine make it a serious choice for complex, cross-departmental automation across thousands of employees. However, the lack of transparent pricing, enterprise-only sales process, and heavyweight onboarding mean it's overkill for small teams or individuals who just want to get started quickly. If you're looking for a more accessible way to build AI agents without a sales call — with transparent pricing and a free tier — Relay.app offers a dramatically simpler experience that lets you go from idea to working agent in minutes.
4.
Tray
Tray.ai is an AI orchestration platform that combines a traditional iPaaS with AI agent building capabilities. Its Merlin Agent Builder lets teams create agents that can reason, act, and learn across connected systems — deployable to Slack, web apps, or APIs. The platform offers 600+ connectors, pre-built agent accelerators for IT, HR, knowledge, and support use cases, and enterprise-grade governance features like audit trails, guardrails, and role-based access control. Tray positions itself as a low-code builder for business technologists and development teams, with a focus on scaling AI agents across the enterprise stack. Pricing is entirely custom and sales-driven, with no self-serve plans available.
✅ Pros
• Enterprise-grade governance: Includes guardrails, audit trails, RBAC, and Merlin Guardian for sensitive data protection.
• Pre-built agent accelerators: Ready-to-use agents for ITSM, HR, knowledge, and support speed up time-to-value.
• 600+ connectors: Broad integration library for connecting across complex enterprise stacks.
• Flexible LLM support: Choose the best model for each use case with no vendor lock-in.
❌ Cons
• No public pricing or free tier: Every plan requires talking to sales, making it hard to evaluate costs upfront.
• Enterprise-oriented complexity: Designed for large IT teams — likely overkill for small businesses or simple automations.
• Steeper learning curve: The platform's power comes with more setup overhead compared to simpler AI agent builders.
• Merlin Agent Builder sold separately: AI agent capabilities are an additional purchase on top of core iPaaS plans.
💰 Pricing
Pro: Custom pricing – 3 workspaces, 7-day log retention, pairs with Merlin Agent Builder
Team: Custom pricing – 20 workspaces, all add-ons available, pairs with Merlin Agent Builder
Enterprise: Custom pricing – unlimited workspaces, all add-ons included, Embedded Bundle access
Merlin Agent Builder: Purchased separately – includes pre-built accelerators, guardrails, multi-LLM support
ITSM Accelerator Starter: Pre-built ITSM agent with 50,000 tasks, Slack/Teams integration, guided onboarding, and enterprise support
No free tier — all plans require contacting sales.
Takeaway
Tray.ai is built for enterprise IT teams that need to orchestrate AI agents across a complex tech stack with strong governance and compliance controls. Its Merlin Agent Builder and pre-built accelerators can speed up deployment for use cases like ITSM and HR. However, the lack of public pricing, no free tier, and sales-driven onboarding make it a poor fit for smaller teams or anyone who wants to get started quickly. If you're looking for an easier, more accessible way to build AI agents without an enterprise sales cycle, Relay.app is a much faster path from idea to live agent.
5.
Power Automate
Power Automate is Microsoft's end-to-end process automation platform, part of the Power Platform family. It lets you build cloud flows (digital process automation) to connect apps and services, desktop flows (robotic process automation) to automate legacy systems and Windows desktop tasks, and use AI-powered features like Copilot to create automations using natural language. With 1,400+ prebuilt connectors and native integrations across Microsoft 365, it's designed for enterprise-scale automation with built-in governance, security, and process mining capabilities. While powerful within the Microsoft ecosystem, its complexity and enterprise-focused design can make it feel heavy compared to more modern, lightweight automation tools.
✅ Pros
✅ Seamless Microsoft 365 integration — automating workflows across Excel, SharePoint, Outlook, Teams, and other Microsoft apps is effortless and built right into the apps.
✅ Desktop RPA capabilities — Power Automate Desktop lets you automate legacy Windows applications and on-screen tasks, something most cloud-only automation tools can't do.
✅ AI-powered authoring with Copilot — you can create and edit flows using natural language, plus leverage built-in AI models for document processing and content generation.
✅ Enterprise governance and security — admins get centralized management, data loss prevention policies, and Managed Environments to control automation at scale across the organization.
❌ Cons
❌ Unintuitive interface — users often find the design clunky and sluggish compared to more modern automation tools, with a steep learning curve for non-technical users.
❌ Reliability concerns at scale — some users report flows crashing with high volumes or difficulty debugging when things go wrong, especially with non-Microsoft connectors.
❌ Complex pricing structure — multiple plan types (per-user, per-bot, hosted, add-ons) make it hard to predict costs, and premium connectors require paid plans.
❌ Limited value outside Microsoft — if your stack isn't Microsoft-centric, most of Power Automate's advantages disappear, and simpler tools like Relay.app offer a better experience.
💰 Pricing
Free tier: No standalone free plan, though limited Power Automate capabilities may be included with certain Microsoft 365 subscriptions. A 30-day free trial of premium features is available.
Power Automate Premium: $15/user/month (billed yearly) — includes cloud flows, attended desktop flows (RPA), process mining, and premium connectors.
Power Automate Process: $150/bot/month (billed yearly) — licenses a bot for unattended desktop flows or cloud flows accessible by unlimited users.
Power Automate Hosted Process: $215/bot/month (billed yearly) — same as Process but with a Microsoft-hosted virtual machine on Azure.
Takeaway
If you're already paying for Microsoft 365 and all your data lives in Microsoft apps, Power Automate could be the path of least resistance – it's right there and supported by Microsoft. It will never be the most feature-rich or cost-effective automation tool for general purposes, but it offers convenience for Microsoft-centric workflows and keeps your automation "in-house" with Microsoft. If you aren't a Microsoft-heavy shop, then Power Automate likely isn't worth looking at (and its value drops significantly).
6.
ActivePieces
Activepieces is an open-source, AI-first automation platform that lets teams build AI agents and workflows without code. It offers 644+ integrations, an AI Agent Builder, and an AI Adoption Stack designed to drive organization-wide AI usage — complete with analytics, gamification, and a pre-built agent library. The platform emphasizes enterprise control with SSO, SCIM provisioning, custom RBAC, and audit logs, and can be deployed on Activepieces' cloud (SOC 2 Type II, GDPR) or self-hosted via Docker or Helm. Its open-source core (MIT licensed, 270+ contributors) appeals to technical teams who want full control over their automation infrastructure. However, its enterprise-oriented feature set and self-host focus may feel like overkill for smaller teams that just want a quick, simple way to build AI agents.
✅ Pros
• Open-source and self-hostable: MIT-licensed core with Docker and Helm support, giving technical teams full control over their data and infrastructure.
• 644+ integrations: Broad connector library covering major apps like Gmail, Slack, HubSpot, Salesforce, and OpenAI.
• AI Adoption Stack: Includes analytics, gamification, leaderboards, and a pre-built agent library to drive org-wide AI usage.
• Enterprise governance: SSO, SCIM, custom RBAC, audit logs, and SOC 2 Type II compliance for IT-controlled deployments.
❌ Cons
• Steeper learning curve: Self-hosting and advanced governance features add complexity that may overwhelm non-technical users.
• No human-in-the-loop controls: Lacks built-in approval or review steps to let you verify AI actions before they execute.
• Opaque pricing at scale: The Unlimited plan requires contacting sales, making it hard to predict costs for larger teams.
• Enterprise-heavy focus: Many headline features (SSO, SCIM, RBAC, audit logs) are geared toward large orgs, which can feel like overkill for small teams.
💰 Pricing
• Standard: Free to start – includes 10 free active flows, unlimited runs, AI agents, unlimited MCP servers, and unlimited tables. Then $5 per active flow per month.
• Unlimited: Custom pricing (annual contract) – includes team & personal projects, piece access controls, global connections, custom RBAC, SSO, audit logs, and dedicated support.
• Community Edition: Free, MIT-licensed, self-hosted – core features only, requires technical skills to deploy.
Takeaway
Activepieces is a solid choice for technical teams and enterprises that want an open-source, self-hostable automation platform with strong governance controls. Its AI Adoption Stack and agent library are unique differentiators for driving org-wide AI usage. However, if you're looking for the easiest way to build AI agents without managing infrastructure — and you want built-in human-in-the-loop controls to stay in charge of what your agents do — Relay.app is a simpler, faster alternative that lets you create agentic workflows in plain language from day one.
7.
Pipedream
Pipedream is a developer-focused automation and integration platform that lets you connect APIs, AI models, databases, and over 3,000 apps through code-based workflows. It supports writing custom logic in Node.js, Python, Go, and Bash, making it a powerful option for technical users who want full control over their automations. Pipedream also offers an AI Agent Builder for prompting, running, and deploying AI agents, as well as Pipedream Connect — an SDK that lets developers embed integrations directly into their own apps. The platform is SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA, and GDPR compliant. In late 2025, Pipedream signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by Workday, signaling a shift toward enterprise use cases.
✅ Pros
• Massive integration library: Connects to over 3,000 apps with 10,000+ pre-built triggers and actions.
• Full code flexibility: Write custom logic in Node.js, Python, Go, or Bash — ideal for developers who need fine-grained control.
• Strong security posture: SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA, and GDPR compliant, suitable for teams handling sensitive data.
• Generous free tier: Get started at no cost with 100 credits/month and unlimited workflow testing.
❌ Cons
• Developer-oriented: The code-first approach and technical UI can be intimidating for non-technical users.
• No human-in-the-loop controls: Lacks built-in approval or review steps to keep a human in the loop before actions execute.
• Credit-based pricing can be confusing: Understanding how credits are consumed across workflows requires careful monitoring.
• Acquired by Workday: The pending acquisition introduces uncertainty about the product's future roadmap and independence.
💰 Pricing
• Free: $0/month – 100 credits/mo, 3 active workflows, 3 connected accounts, 1M AI tokens
• Basic: $29/month (billed annually) – 2,000 credits/mo, 10 active workflows, 5 connected accounts, 20M AI tokens
• Advanced: $49/month (billed annually) – 2,000 credits/mo, unlimited workflows, unlimited connected accounts, premium apps, GitHub Sync
• Connect: $99/month (billed annually) – 10,000 credits/mo, Pipedream Connect in production, auth for 100 external users
• Business: Custom pricing – volume pricing, dedicated support, HIPAA, SLAs, and custom invoicing
Takeaway
Pipedream is an excellent choice for developers and technical teams who want deep control over their integrations and automations through code. Its massive app library and flexible execution environment are hard to beat for engineering-driven use cases. However, if you're a non-technical user or a team that wants an easy, visual way to build AI agents with human-in-the-loop oversight, Relay.app is a better fit — it lets you create agentic workflows in plain language without writing a single line of code.
8.
n8n
n8n is an open-source workflow automation platform built for technical teams. It combines a visual workflow editor with the ability to write custom JavaScript or Python code, giving users flexibility to build automations their way. With 500+ integrations, 1,700+ templates, and self-hosting options (via Docker or from GitHub), n8n supports use cases across IT Ops, DevOps, SecOps, and Sales. The platform features an AI Workflow Builder, debugging tools with single-step re-runs, and enterprise capabilities including SSO/SAML/LDAP, version control via Git, RBAC, and audit logging. Trusted by companies like Delivery Hero, Vodafone, Microsoft, Meta, and Wayfair, n8n boasts 179k+ GitHub stars and a 200k+ member community.
✅ Pros
Code + no-code flexibility: Write JavaScript or Python alongside a visual UI editor — no need to choose one or the other.
Self-hosting available: Deploy with Docker and access the full source code on GitHub for complete data control.
Execution-based pricing: Pay per full workflow run, not per step or task, making costs more predictable.
Large open-source community: 179k+ GitHub stars and 200k+ community members providing templates and support.
❌ Cons
Steeper learning curve: Best suited for technical users — non-technical team members may struggle with the code-oriented approach.
Limited support on lower tiers: Dedicated support with SLA is only available on the Enterprise plan.
Self-hosted complexity: Self-hosting requires managing your own infrastructure, updates, and scaling.
Big pricing jump to Business: Significant leap from €50/mo (Pro) to €667/mo (Business), which may be steep for growing teams.
💰 Pricing
Community Edition: Free — self-hosted via GitHub, standard features
Starter: €20/mo (billed annually) — 2.5K executions, 5 concurrent executions, unlimited users, 1 shared project, 50 AI Builder credits, forum support
Pro: €50/mo (billed annually) — Custom executions, 20 concurrent executions, 3 shared projects, 150 AI Builder credits, admin roles, global variables, workflow history, 7-day insights
Business: €667/mo (billed annually) — 40K executions (self-hosted), 6 shared projects, SSO/SAML/LDAP, Git version control, environments, 30-day insights, scaling options
Enterprise: Contact Sales — Custom executions, 200+ concurrent, unlimited shared projects, 1,000 AI Builder credits, external secret store, log streaming, extended data retention, 365 days of insights, dedicated support with SLA, invoice billing
Startup Plan: 50% off Business for companies with fewer than 20 employees
Takeaway
n8n is a top choice for technical teams that want the power of code with the convenience of a visual workflow builder. Its open-source DNA, self-hosting option, and execution-based pricing model set it apart from competitors like Zapier and Make. The platform shines for IT Ops, DevOps, and SecOps automation where data control and customization matter most. Teams should be comfortable with a more technical setup, and smaller teams should note the significant price jump to access enterprise-grade features like SSO and Git version control on the Business plan. For teams that want a simpler, more accessible automation experience — especially with built-in human-in-the-loop controls — Relay.app is worth considering as an easier-to-use alternative.
9.
Integrately
Integrately is an automation platform that connects 1,500+ apps through a library of over 20 million pre-built automations. Its core selling point is simplicity — users select an automation from the library, connect their accounts, and activate it in just a few clicks. Integrately features SmartConnect, which automatically configures app connections for you, and positions itself as 3x–10x less expensive than competitors like Zapier and Make. The platform supports multi-step workflows, conditional logic, branching, webhooks, and a scheduler on paid plans. It's trusted by 42,000+ customers and has earned recognition as a top-rated integration platform on G2. However, it lacks built-in human-in-the-loop controls, meaning there's no way to add review or approval steps before automated actions execute.
✅ Pros
• Massive pre-built automation library: Over 20 million ready-made automations across 1,500+ apps — just select and activate.
• Aggressive pricing: Plans start at $19.99/mo (billed annually), significantly undercutting Zapier and Make for comparable task volumes.
• SmartConnect feature: Automatically configures app connections so users don't have to map fields or set up triggers manually.
• Free triggers: Unlike Make, Integrately doesn't count trigger checks as tasks, which can result in dramatically lower task consumption.
❌ Cons
• No human-in-the-loop controls: Lacks built-in approval or review steps, so there's no way to verify actions before they execute.
• Limited advanced workflow capabilities: Features like branching and auto-retry are locked to higher-tier plans.
• No AI agent capabilities: Focused purely on traditional app-to-app integrations with no native AI or LLM features.
• Single-user on lower plans: Team collaboration requires the Growth plan ($99/mo) or above for multiple users.
💰 Pricing
• Free: $0/month – 100 tasks, 5 automations, single-step only, 15-min update time
• Starter: $19.99/month (billed annually) – 2,000 tasks, 20 automations, multi-step, webhooks, 3 premium apps, 1 user
• Professional: $39/month (billed annually) – 10,000 tasks, unlimited automations, branching, iterator, auto-retry, 1 user
• Growth: $99/month (billed annually) – 30,000 tasks, unlimited everything, dedicated account manager, unlimited users
• Business: $239/month (billed annually) – 150,000 tasks, unlimited everything, dedicated account manager
Takeaway
Integrately is a solid budget-friendly alternative to Zapier and Make for straightforward app-to-app integrations. Its massive library of pre-built automations and lower per-task pricing make it appealing for users who want simple, cost-effective workflows. However, it's focused purely on traditional integrations — there are no AI agent capabilities or human-in-the-loop controls. If you need to build intelligent, AI-powered workflows where you can review and approve actions before they happen, Relay.app is a better choice — it combines ease of use with agentic AI features and built-in human oversight that Integrately doesn't offer.
10.
Albato
Albato is an AI-driven no-code integration platform (iPaaS) that connects 1,000+ apps and offers 20+ built-in automation tools including routers, webhooks, filters, and JSON parsing. The platform emphasizes affordability, positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative to Zapier and Make — claiming 60% lower automation costs. Albato includes AI integrations with ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and other models directly within workflows, plus a custom App Integrator that lets users connect any API without code. It also offers a white-label embedded integration product for SaaS companies. Trusted by over 200,000 users, Albato has won Product Hunt Golden Kitty recognition and G2 High Performer badges.
✅ Pros
Very affordable pricing: Plans start at $15/mo (annual), significantly cheaper than Zapier or Make for similar transaction volumes.
Clean, beginner-friendly UI: Users consistently praise the intuitive interface and visual workflow builder as easy to pick up.
Custom App Integrator: Connect any API without code — helpful for niche tools not in the native library.
Responsive human support: Live chat with fast response times and a team that actively incorporates user feedback.
❌ Cons
Smaller integration library: 1,000+ apps is solid but trails Zapier (8,000+) and Make (3,000+) significantly.
Transaction-based billing adds up: Each automation step counts as a transaction, which can deplete allowances faster than expected.
Documentation gaps: Help resources and advanced feature docs could be more comprehensive.
Teams plan still "coming soon": Collaboration features like roles, invites, and shared workspaces aren't fully available yet.
💰 Pricing
Free: $0/month – 100 transactions, 5 active automations, 2 steps per automation, 7-day log storage.
Pro: $15/month (billed annually) / $22/month (billed monthly) – 1K+ transactions (scalable up to 2M), unlimited automations & steps, Albato AI, 5-min update interval.
Teams (Coming soon): $65/month (billed annually) / $93/month (billed monthly) – 5 team seats, priority support, roles & shared workspaces, 3-min update interval.
Custom: Contact sales – dedicated CSM, custom integrations, SLA support, 1-min update interval.
Takeaway
Albato is a budget-friendly Zapier alternative that punches above its weight with a clean UI, custom API support, and AI-powered workflow tools. It's a solid option for cost-conscious individuals and small teams running straightforward automations. However, its smaller app library and still-developing team features mean it may not scale as smoothly for collaborative or complex use cases. If you want an equally easy-to-use platform with stronger AI agent capabilities and built-in human-in-the-loop controls, Relay.app offers a more future-ready experience.
How to make your choice
Choosing the right automation platform isn't about finding some mythical "best" tool—it's about finding the right fit for your team, your tech stack, and the kinds of workflows you need to build. Here's a quick framework:
• For the best blend of ease, AI, and human collaboration: Relay.app stands out with its intuitive interface, built-in AI agents, and unique human-in-the-loop features. Reviews consistently praise its smooth build experience, fast support, and thoughtful workflows that scale from simple automations to multi-agent systems.
• For maximum app coverage and simplicity: Zapier is the heavyweight—famous for being dead simple and having a massive library of 7,000+ integrations. If you want the widest reach out of the box, it's hard to beat.
• For enterprise-grade security and governance: Workato is built for large orgs and IT departments that need to automate mission-critical processes with structured role-based access and compliance controls. Tray offers similar enterprise-grade capabilities with a developer-friendly toolkit and AI workflow features.
• For Microsoft-centric organizations: Power Automate is deeply embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem—Office 365, Dynamics, Azure, Copilot, and more. If your org runs on Microsoft, it's the natural fit.
• For developers and open-source enthusiasts: n8n is a powerhouse with nearly 180,000 GitHub stars, 400+ integrations, and the flexibility to mix visual building with custom code—plus full self-hosting. Pipedream and ActivePieces are also excellent picks for technical teams who want open-source control.
• For budget-conscious teams: ActivePieces, Albato, and Integrately all offer generous free tiers or affordable pricing that won't break the bank.
Take stock of your must-have integrations, who on your team will actually be building workflows, and how complex your automation needs are. Then test two or three options before committing—most platforms offer free plans or trials, so there's no reason not to.
The bottom line
Simplifying workflows and boosting productivity doesn't have to be a headache—even in an automation market that's more crowded (and more capable) than ever.
Whether you need AI agents tackling complex, multi-step processes or just a straightforward platform with the right ready-made automations, the right tool can turn repetitive busywork into something that runs itself—freeing you up to focus on the work that actually matters (or, you know, just take a well-earned break).
If you want a platform that makes AI genuinely useful while keeping humans in the loop when it counts, why not try Relay today? See how it can transform the way your team works.
Jacob Bank
Founder/CEO at Relay.app
Jacob is the Founder and CEO of Relay.app. Prior to founding Relay.app, Jacob was a Director of Product Management at Google, where he led the product teams for Gmail, Google Calendar, and several other Google Workspace products. Before that, Jacob was the Co-founder and CEO of Timeful (acquired by Google in 2015), a smart calendar that leveraged insights from behavioral psychology and AI to help people spend time on their most important priorities. He has a BA in Computer Science from Cornell University and was pursuing a PhD in the AI Lab at Stanford before dropping out to found Timeful.
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