Head to head

Pabbly Connect vs Zapier

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

Pabbly Connect

$19/mo Free tier

App automation across 2,000+ apps where only action steps use tasks; triggers, filters, routers and formatters are free. Free plan with 100 tasks a month; Standard is $19/mo for 10,000 tasks, and one time lifetime plans start at $349.

Where Pabbly Connect fits

  • Small teams with high task volume on a tight budget
  • Buyers who would rather pay once than subscribe
  • Workflows heavy on filters, routers and formatting steps
  • Teams that want Claude to run workflow actions 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

DetailPabbly ConnectZapier
Starting price$19/mo$19.99/mo
Free tier✓Yes✓Yes
Free trialNot on record14 day free trial
MCP server✓Yes✓Yes
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underWorkflow automationWorkflow automation

Where they pull apart

Pabbly Connect

Stands out: Pabbly Connect does not count triggers or internal steps as tasks, so a workflow that costs two tasks on Zapier or three credits on Make can cost one here. It also sells one time lifetime plans alongside monthly and yearly subscriptions.

Watch out: Lifetime plans cannot be upgraded later, cap tasks per month, and include only one year of support on the top tier; the $349 plan is limited to 10 workflows with two steps each. Team members are not available on monthly billing.

Not the right fit for

  • Teams that want enterprise controls and a large partner ecosystem
  • Buyers who may need to scale a lifetime plan later

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

Pabbly Connect

  • Triggers and internal steps do not use tasks
  • Unlimited task plan at $79/mo
  • One time lifetime plans from $349
  • Lifetime plans cannot be upgraded later
  • Free plan limited to two 2 step workflows
  • No team members on monthly billing

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

Pabbly Connect

$19/mo

Free covers 100 tasks a month and two workflows of up to two steps. Standard is $19/mo for 10,000 tasks and Unlimited is $79/mo on monthly billing, with 15% off yearly. One time lifetime plans run from $349 for 3,000 tasks a month to $1,298 for 20,000. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 21 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 Pabbly Connect cheaper than Zapier?
Pabbly Connect starts lower, at $19/mo against $19.99/mo for Zapier. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try Pabbly Connect or Zapier for free?
Pabbly Connect and Zapier carry a free tier on our listing. Zapier offers a 14 day free trial.
Does Pabbly Connect or Zapier have an MCP server?
Pabbly Connect and Zapier ship a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 21 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?