Zapier popularized the idea of connecting apps together without code, but it's not the only game in town. Whether you're looking for something cheaper, more powerful, or better suited to your specific ecosystem, there are solid alternatives worth considering.
These tools are useful for:
- Automating repetitive tasks like adding new subscribers to a spreadsheet
- Syncing data between your newsletter platform and CRM
- Triggering actions based on events (new signup, payment, email open)
- Building complex workflows that span multiple apps
Which one should I use?
For personal use and smart home: IFTTT is dead simple. Two Applets free, and Pro starts at just $2.99/month. Perfect for "if this then that" automations without the complexity.
For budget-conscious small businesses: Pabbly Connect offers lifetime deals that eliminate recurring costs. They also don't charge for internal steps (filtering, formatting), which adds up fast on other platforms.
For the best visual builder: Make.com (formerly Integromat) has the most intuitive drag-and-drop interface. 3,000+ integrations and affordable pricing starting at $9/month.
For developers who want control: n8n is source-available and can be self-hosted for free with unlimited workflows. If you're comfortable with Docker, it's hard to beat.
For Microsoft shops: Power Automate is the obvious choice if you're already paying for Microsoft 365. Deep integration with Office, Dynamics, and Azure.
For enterprise: Workato and Tray.io are built for large organizations with complex security and compliance needs. Expect custom pricing.
Tool details
IFTTT is the simplest option. Its "Applets" are one-trigger, one-action automations—perfect for personal productivity and smart home stuff, but limited for complex business logic. The Pro tier ($2.99/mo) unlocks multi-action Applets and faster execution. 900+ integrations.
Integrately markets itself as "1-click automations" with millions of pre-built workflows. It's designed for non-technical users who just want things to work. They don't count triggers as tasks, which saves money compared to Zapier. 1,400+ integrations, starting at $19.99/month.
Make.com has the best visual workflow builder in the space. You can see your entire automation as a flowchart with routers, filters, and conditional logic. Credit-based pricing can get confusing, but it's more affordable than Zapier for most use cases. 3,000+ integrations.
Microsoft Power Automate is bundled with many Microsoft 365 plans, so you might already have access. Best-in-class for automating anything in the Microsoft ecosystem. Also includes desktop RPA for automating legacy Windows apps. 1,000+ integrations, $15/user/month standalone.
MuleSoft Composer is exclusively for Salesforce users who need enterprise-grade integrations. It's no-code and deeply integrated with Salesforce, but the $27,000/year starting price means it's only for large organizations with serious budgets.
n8n is the power user's choice. Self-host it for free with unlimited workflows and users, or use their cloud starting at $20/month. The execution-based pricing (not step-based) makes complex workflows much cheaper than competitors. 400+ integrations, growing fast.
Pabbly Connect is all about value. They frequently offer lifetime deals, and they don't charge for internal steps like data formatting or filtering. The interface is less polished than Make or Zapier, but if budget is your priority, it's hard to beat. 850+ integrations.
Tray.io is built for technical teams that need deep API integrations. The Universal API Connector can talk to anything with an API, and their AI agent helps build workflows. Starting at $695/month, it's enterprise-only. 600+ integrations.
Workato is the enterprise gold standard. Recipe-based automation with top-tier security, compliance, and governance features. Pricing is custom (read: expensive), but if you're a large organization with complex needs, it's the most capable platform. 1,000+ integrations.
What does this have to do with newsletters?
Buttondown integrates with Zapier, but many of these alternatives also support webhooks, which means you can connect them to Buttondown too. Common automations include:
- Adding new subscribers to a Google Sheet or Notion database
- Syncing subscribers with your CRM (HubSpot, Salesforce, etc.)
- Sending a Slack notification when someone subscribes or unsubscribes
- Triggering a welcome sequence in another tool
If you're hitting Zapier's pricing limits, switching to Make.com or n8n can cut your automation costs significantly while keeping the same functionality.
Gee, it sure is awfully nice of you to compile this resource and keep it up to date. What can I ever do to thank you?
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