Our verdict
If you are a Microsoft 365 organisation, start with Power Automate — standard flows may already be included and desktop RPA is unique. If your stack is a mix of SaaS tools or you want the easiest builder, choose Zapier.
Zapier is the best-known no-code automation platform, connecting thousands of SaaS apps with simple triggers and actions. Microsoft Power Automate is Microsoft's automation platform, included in many Microsoft 365 plans for standard connectors and extended with premium connectors and desktop robotic process automation (RPA). The choice usually follows your software estate.
Choose Zapier if…
- You use many non-Microsoft SaaS apps
- You want the easiest builder and largest app catalogue
- Non-technical staff will build their own automations
- You need quick wins without IT involvement
Choose Microsoft Power Automate if…
- You run on Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams and Dynamics
- You need desktop automation for legacy Windows apps
- IT wants automation governed in the Microsoft admin centre
- Standard connectors in your existing licence cover your needs
Side by side
| Criterion | Zapier | Microsoft Power Automate |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.7 / 10 | 8.2 / 10 |
| Features & fit | 8.8 | 8.6 |
| Ease of use | 9.4 | 7.0 |
| Value for money | 7.4 | 8.2 |
| Support & reliability | 8.2 | 7.4 |
| Security & privacy | 8.2 | 8.8 |
| Integrations & ecosystem | 9.8 | 8.6 |
| Starting price (indicative) | Free plan; paid from around $20–30 / month | Included with some Microsoft 365 plans; Premium from around $15 / user / month |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Non-technical teams | Microsoft 365 organisations |
Feature by feature
| Feature | Zapier | Microsoft Power Automate |
|---|---|---|
| Free / included option | Free plan (limited) | Included with many M365 plans (standard connectors) |
| Paid entry (indicative) | ~ $20 / month | Premium ~ $15 / user / month |
| App catalogue | Thousands of apps | Hundreds of connectors |
| Microsoft 365 depth | Good | Excellent |
| Desktop RPA | No | Yes (Power Automate Desktop) |
| AI features | AI steps and agents | Copilot and AI Builder |
| Governance | Team / Enterprise controls | Microsoft admin centre and DLP |
| Best fit | Mixed SaaS stacks | Microsoft-centric organisations |
Pricing compared
Zapier
| Plan | Indicative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | — |
| Professional | ≈ $20 / mo | Billed annually; price rises with task volume |
| Team | ≈ $69 / mo | Shared workspace; billed annually |
| Enterprise | Custom quote | — |
Microsoft Power Automate
| Plan | Indicative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| With Microsoft 365 | Free | Standard connectors |
| Premium | ≈ $15 / user / mo | Monthly |
| Process | ≈ $150 / mo | Per bot / month |
| Team size | Zapier | Microsoft Power Automate |
|---|---|---|
| 5 seats | Flat pricing | $75 (Premium) |
| 10 seats | Flat pricing | $150 (Premium) |
| 25 seats | Flat pricing | $150 (Process) |
Indicative USD list prices; excludes tax, add-ons and promotions. Confirm on each vendor’s site.
App coverage
Zapier connects to thousands of apps and is usually first to support new SaaS tools. Power Automate has hundreds of connectors, strongest for Microsoft services; many third-party connectors are premium.
Pricing
Zapier's paid plans start around $20 per month and scale with task volume. Power Automate's standard connectors are included with many Microsoft 365 plans; Premium is around $15 per user per month, and process (bot) licences are priced separately.
Desktop and RPA
Power Automate Desktop can automate Windows applications and legacy systems with recorded actions — something Zapier does not do.
Ease of use
Zapier's builder is the simplest in the category. Power Automate is approachable for simple flows but becomes technical with expressions and premium connectors.
Governance
Power Automate integrates with Microsoft's data loss prevention policies and admin centre. Zapier offers admin controls and SSO on Team and Enterprise plans.
Pros & cons
Zapier
- Largest app library
- Very easy builder
- AI steps and copilots
- Task-based pricing can climb
- Complex logic gets clunky
Microsoft Power Automate
- Deep Microsoft 365 integration
- Desktop RPA
- AI Builder and Copilot features
- Confusing licensing
- Premium connectors cost extra
Key features of each
Zapier
- Multi-step Zaps. Chain actions across apps.
- Paths. Branching logic.
- Tables & Interfaces. Lightweight databases and forms.
- AI steps. Summarise, classify and generate in workflows.
Integrates with: Gmail, Slack, HubSpot, Google Sheets, Notion, Shopify.
Microsoft Power Automate
- Cloud flows. Automate between apps.
- Desktop flows. RPA for desktop and legacy apps.
- Approvals. Built-in approval flows.
- Copilot. Describe a flow in natural language.
Integrates with: SharePoint, Outlook, Teams, Dynamics 365, Salesforce.
Who should avoid each
Skip Zapier if…
- Very high task volumes on a budget
- Complex data transformations
Best for: Non-technical teams; Connecting many SaaS apps; Quick wins with simple automations.
Skip Microsoft Power Automate if…
- Google Workspace teams
- Users wanting simple pricing
Best for: Microsoft 365 organisations; Approval and document workflows; Desktop RPA needs.
Switching between Zapier and Microsoft Power Automate
Migration difficulty: Moderate
Flows must be rebuilt by hand. Start with automations that touch Microsoft services if moving to Power Automate, or with non-Microsoft apps if moving to Zapier.
- Inventory automations, their apps and monthly run counts.
- Check connector availability and premium status in the destination.
- Rebuild and test the top ten automations with error notifications.
- Update webhooks and shared credentials.
- Turn off originals once each replacement has run cleanly for a week.
Weigh it your way
Adjust the weights to your priorities to see which tool comes out ahead for you. Print or export the result for your team.
| Tool | Features | Ease | Value | Support | Security | Integrations | Your score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Zapier | 8.8 | 9.4 | 7.4 | 8.2 | 8.2 | 9.8 | 8.65 |
| 2. Microsoft Power Automate | 8.6 | 7.0 | 8.2 | 7.4 | 8.8 | 8.6 | 8.22 |
Drag the sliders to match your priorities. Scores are our editorial sub-scores; weights start at the values we publish on the methodology page. Nothing you change is stored or sent anywhere.
How our scores and weights work · Add a third tool side by side
Frequently asked questions
Is Power Automate free?
Standard connectors are included with many Microsoft 365 business plans. Premium connectors, desktop RPA bots and some features require paid licences.
Can Zapier connect to Microsoft 365?
Yes. Zapier supports Outlook, Teams, Excel, SharePoint and other Microsoft apps.
Which is easier?
Zapier is easier for most non-technical users. Power Automate is easy for simple Microsoft flows but becomes technical quickly.
Can Power Automate automate desktop software?
Yes. Power Automate Desktop can automate Windows applications using recorded or designed actions.
Does Zapier or Microsoft Power Automate have a free plan?
Zapier has a free plan; Microsoft Power Automate has a free trial but no permanent free plan. Indicative starting prices: Zapier — Free plan; paid from around $20–30 / month; Microsoft Power Automate — Included with some Microsoft 365 plans; Premium from around $15 / user / month.
Which scores higher in our review, Zapier or Microsoft Power Automate?
Zapier scores 8.7/10 and Microsoft Power Automate 8.2/10 on our weighted rubric. Zapier leads on 4 of six criteria. A higher score does not make it right for every buyer — see the “choose if” lists above.
