Head to head

Cargo vs Zapier

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Cargo

$165/mo Free tier Free trial

GTM orchestration platform with AI agents, workflows and 100+ integrations on one credit meter. Paid credit packs start at $165/mo for 1,500 credits.

Where Cargo fits

GTM engineers routing enrichment into the CRM
RevOps teams running agents and plays on one meter
Teams already on HubSpot or Salesforce
Builders who want to run Cargo from Claude via MCP

Zapier

$19.99/mo Free tier 14 day free trial

Task-based automation across 9,000 apps, with an MCP server on every account. Free plan available; Professional starts at $19.99/mo billed monthly.

Where Zapier fits

Ops teams connecting SaaS apps without code
People who want Claude or ChatGPT to act in Gmail and Slack
Solo users who fit on one Professional seat
Orgs that may grow into Team or Enterprise

At a glance

Detail	Cargo	Zapier
Starting price	$165/mo	$19.99/mo
Free tier	✓Yes	✓Yes
Free trial	Yes	14 day free trial
MCP server	✓Yes	✓Yes
Public API	✓Yes	✓Yes
Listed under	Lead generation, Outreach	Lead generation, Sourcing

Where they pull apart

Cargo

Stands out: No feature gating: every credit tier gets the same agents, workflows and integrations.

Watch out: The bill is driven by credits, not seats. The $165 pack covers 1,500 credits, and SSO starts on the 17,000-credit pack at $1,190/mo.

Not the right fit for

Buyers who want a cheap seat-based CRM
Non-technical teams that will not manage credits

Zapier

Stands out: Zapier MCP is on every plan, including Free, and connects AI assistants to the same 9,000-app catalog.

Watch out: Each MCP tool call uses two tasks. Free Zaps are limited to two steps, and Professional is a single-user plan.

Not the right fit for

Builders who need self-hosting and per-execution billing
Heavy AI use where every MCP call costs two tasks

Pros and cons

Cargo

Same features on every credit tier
Free trial with 100 credits, no card
MCP server plus a REST API

Credits, not seats, drive the bill
SSO starts on the $1,190/mo pack
Credit budgeting takes some planning

Zapier

Free plan with 100 tasks a month
14-day Professional trial, no card
MCP on every plan, including Free

Free Zaps stop at two steps
Professional is a single-user plan
Each MCP call uses two tasks

What each one costs

Cargo

$165/mo

Paid credit packs start at $165/mo for 1,500 credits, then $250/mo for 2,500, $1,190/mo for 17,000 and $3,000/mo for 50,000-plus. All features are on every pack; bigger packs add better support and SSO. A free trial starts with 100 credits and no card. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Zapier

$19.99/mo

Free covers 100 tasks a month. Professional starts at $19.99/mo and Team at $69/mo on monthly billing, with about 33% off when paid yearly; Enterprise is quoted. Agents and Chatbots are priced separately. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Cargo cheaper than Zapier?

Zapier starts lower, at $19.99/mo against $165/mo for Cargo. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.

Can you try Cargo or Zapier for free?

Cargo and Zapier carry a free tier on our listing. Cargo offers a free trial. Zapier offers a 14 day free trial.

Does Cargo or Zapier have an MCP server?

Cargo and Zapier ship a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

Not the pair you wanted?

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?