Compare/Alternatives

Zapier alternatives

4 tools our write-ups put next to Zapier, with starting price, free tier, MCP and API side by side.

Zapier from $19.99/moFree tier14 day free trialMCP serverAPI

Closest alternatives

See the Zapier listing

The short answer

  • n8n : Self-host or euro-priced cloud if you want to pay per execution, not per task. From €20/mo
  • Cargo : GTM runtime if the automations are enrichment plays, not 9,000 apps. From $165/mo
  • HubSpot : Native HubSpot workflows if your stack already lives there. From $20/seat/mo
  • Clay : Spreadsheet GTM if the work is list enrichment, not app-to-app Zaps. From $185/mo

Why people look past Zapier

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

What we noted

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

Not the right fit for

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

Worth keeping in mind: Zapier MCP is on every plan, including Free, and connects AI assistants to the same 9,000-app catalog.

Zapier alternatives compared

ToolFree tierFromMCPAPIHead to head
Zapier (the one you are on) ✓Yes$19.99/mo✓Yes✓Yes
n8n Self-host or euro-priced cloud if you want to pay per execution, not per task. ✓Yes€20/mo✓Yes✓YesHead to head
Cargo GTM runtime if the automations are enrichment plays, not 9,000 apps. ✓Yes$165/mo✓Yes✓YesHead to head
HubSpot Native HubSpot workflows if your stack already lives there. ✓Yes$20/seat/mo✓Yes✓YesHead to head
Clay Spreadsheet GTM if the work is list enrichment, not app-to-app Zaps. ✓Yes$185/mo✓Yes✓YesHead to head

What each one does differently

n8n

€20/mo Free tier Free trial MCP API

Why it comes up: Self-host or euro-priced cloud if you want to pay per execution, not per task.

Stands out: Billing counts full workflow executions, not individual steps, and the Community edition is free to self-host.

Watch out: Cloud prices are published in euros only. The Cloud trial is capped at 1,000 executions, and unused AI Assistant credits do not roll over.

Best for

  • Technical teams that want to self-host for free
  • Builders who prefer per-execution billing
  • Teams that want to drive workflows from Claude via MCP

Read the n8n write-up Zapier vs n8n

Cargo

$165/mo Free tier Free trial MCP API

Why it comes up: GTM runtime if the automations are enrichment plays, not 9,000 apps.

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.

Best for

  • GTM engineers routing enrichment into the CRM
  • RevOps teams running agents and plays on one meter
  • Teams already on HubSpot or Salesforce

Read the Cargo write-up Zapier vs Cargo

HubSpot

$20/seat/mo Free tier MCP API

Why it comes up: Native HubSpot workflows if your stack already lives there.

Stands out: A real free CRM for two users, plus a hosted MCP server at mcp.hubspot.com and a full public API.

Watch out: Professional and Enterprise carry required one-time onboarding fees ($1,500 and $3,500). The free CRM stops at two users.

Best for

  • Revenue teams that want CRM, email and sequences in one login
  • Recruiters using HubSpot as a recruiting CRM and outreach hub
  • Teams connecting AI agents through HubSpot's MCP server

4.5 on Capterra from 4,485 reviews

Read the HubSpot write-up Zapier vs HubSpot

Clay

$185/mo Free tier 14 day free trial MCP API

Why it comes up: Spreadsheet GTM if the work is list enrichment, not app-to-app Zaps.

Stands out: 150+ provider waterfall plus Claygent on every row, with MCP and API.

Watch out: Not a sender. Paid plans start at $185/mo on Launch, CRM sync needs Growth from $495/mo, and credit burn adds up.

Best for

  • Sourcers building enriched spreadsheets
  • Teams chaining many data vendors
  • Desks that want Claygent research columns

Read the Clay write-up Zapier vs Clay

Common questions

What is the best Zapier alternative?
It depends on what sent you looking. We compare 4 alternatives to Zapier: n8n, Cargo, HubSpot and Clay. Each one's "Why it comes up" line says what it does differently, and the table above shows all 4 on price, free tier, MCP and API.
Is there a free alternative to Zapier?
Yes. n8n, Cargo, HubSpot and Clay carry a free tier on our listing, so you can try the product without a card. Free tiers are capped, so check the limits against your volume before you move a team across.
What is the cheapest Zapier alternative?
Of the published starting prices here, HubSpot is lowest at $20/seat/mo. Starting price is the entry plan, not the seat count you will end up on, so read the plan table on each listing.
Which Zapier alternatives have an MCP server?
n8n, Cargo, HubSpot and Clay ship a first party MCP server, so you can drive them from Claude or ChatGPT without building against the API yourself.
Does Zapier have a free trial?
Zapier offers a 14 day free trial on our listing. Trial terms move, so confirm on the vendor site before you plan around it.

Keep looking

Back to the Zapier write-up Every Workflow automation tool we list Search the whole directory

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?