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Trigger.dev vs Zapier
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Trigger.dev and Zapier.
| Feature | Trigger.dev | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly Cost (Solo) | $0 | $20 |
| Target Audience | developers, solopreneurs, startups | solopreneurs, startups, small-business |
| Verified | No | Yes |
| Solo-Friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Open Source | Yes | No |
| Editorial Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Categories | Developer Tools | Automation, No-Code |
| Key Features | Background job execution, Scheduled/cron jobs, Event-driven workflows, Full run observability, Retry and error handling | 7,000+ app integrations, Multi-step Zaps, Filters & paths, Tables (database), Interfaces (front-end) |
| Free Tier Quality | good | limited |
Pricing Breakdown
Trigger.dev
Free: 50,000 runs/month. Hobby: $30/month (100K runs). Pro: $120/month (500K runs). Self-hosted: free.
Zapier
Free: 100 tasks/month, 5 single-step Zaps. Starter: $20/month (750 tasks, multi-step). Professional: $49/month (2,000 tasks, Paths). Team: $69/month. Company: $99/month.
Integration Overlap
Shared Integrations (2)
Only in Trigger.dev (6)
Only in Zapier (8)
Use Case Fit
Trigger.dev
- * Background job processing
- * Scheduled/cron tasks
- * Webhook handling and processing
- * Multi-step workflow automation
- * Event-driven task chains
Zapier
- * Connecting SaaS tools without code
- * Automating lead capture and CRM updates
- * Social media cross-posting
- * E-commerce order processing
- * Customer onboarding workflows
Trigger.dev
Pros
- + TypeScript-native with great DX
- + Full observability for every run
- + Open-source with self-hosting
- + Handles retries and failures gracefully
Cons
- - JavaScript/TypeScript only
- - Managed pricing can add up
- - Newer project with evolving APIs
- - Self-hosting requires infrastructure
Zapier
Pros
- + Connects almost any app
- + No coding required
- + Saves hours of manual work
- + Reliable and well-maintained
- + Active community
Cons
- - Gets expensive with high usage
- - Free tier limited to 100 tasks/month
- - Complex Zaps can be hard to debug
Editorial Verdict
For solo founders on a budget, Trigger.dev wins with solo-friendly pricing and a good free tier. For the highest-rated experience, Zapier edges ahead with a 4.3/5 editorial rating.
SaaSLens Editorial Team
Editorial Team