Zapier

What it does

Zapier connects your apps so they work together: when something happens in one (a form is filled in, an email arrives), it does something in another. It now includes AI steps that summarise, classify or draft as part of an automation.

It connects thousands of apps, more than any rival.

Why use it

• Automates repetitive copying between apps.
• Connects thousands of apps, so yours are almost certainly covered.
• AI steps can read, sort and draft as part of a workflow.
• You can describe an automation in plain English and let it build it.

How it works

1. Sign up and connect the apps you use.
2. Choose a trigger: the event that starts the automation.
3. Add actions in other apps, and AI steps if you want them.
4. Test it with real data, then switch it on.

How hard is it to use?

Intermediate Some set-up, or a little practice, to get good results.

Simple automations are easy. Multi-step workflows with conditions take some logical thinking, which is why we rate it Intermediate.

What it costs

Free plan; paid plans. A free plan for simple automations. Paid plans are priced by how many tasks run each month, so costs grow with use.

Prices change often, so check Zapier’s own site before you pay.

Watch out for

• Costs grow with volume. Watch your task count.
• An automation that misfires can do a lot of damage quickly. Test before switching on.

Your data

Every app you connect gives it access to that app’s data. Connect only what each automation needs, and review connections regularly.

Zapier doesn’t offer UK data storage, so check where it keeps your data before you share anything private or about other people.