Zapier: Say Goodbye To Repetitive Tasks!

What is Zapier?

Is it the best automation software you can get today?

Zapier is a task automation platform, meaning that it allows users to integrate the different web applications they use. The team is based in California but has a global reach as well as employees based in the United States and 23 other countries.

We think it is the best automation software platform on the market because it is easy to integrate and they have thousands of APIs.

If you are unsure of what an API is, check it out here.

The platform was launched in August 2012 and has since then become one of the most popular web app integration platforms in the market. 

Zapier has over 2000 applications for you to choose from and works with all your favorite websites, including Facebook, Gmail, and YouTube, to allow for a hassle-free user experience.  

It is definitely one of the best automation software available today.

How It Works  

Zapier has one aim: to connect your apps to automate repetitive tasks. This means that you’ll only have to send out one set of instructions for a specific task, and the instructions will be replicated and sent out to all the other platforms you’ve linked together using Zapier. 

This linking has a unique term. When you link together two or more apps, it’s called “zapping” them together. Zapped apps are all in sync with one another and follow the same set of instructions entered by you. 

By zapping multiple apps together, you can create your own unique, personalized workflow that’s suited to all your needs.  

For example, you may want to link your Gmail account with your Dropbox account and have Zapier handle the process of shifting all your Gmail attachments to your Dropbox account. 

Instead of opening up every email you get, selecting the attachments, and manually shifting them all to Dropbox one by one, you can zap the two platforms together and allow Zapier to handle the processes for you.  

By doing so, you will be effectively saving yourself precious minutes, which will, over time, add up to hours, days, and so on. 

By allowing Zapier to handle all the mundane, background tasks for you, you will be free to continue working on the things that matter, like finishing your next assignment or planning for a major project. 

Many people also employ Zapier to take care of their email replies. For example, you can instruct Zapier to send a welcome email each time someone registers for your newsletter.  

Zapier works by allowing you to set a trigger function, which will then be followed up by a set of predetermined actions.  

Here is a more detailed explanation of how you can use Zapier: 

  1. Choose a Trigger: Pick a trigger function in an app that will activate your zap. Common examples include receiving a new email in Gmail or receiving a new lead on Facebook.  
  1. Choose an Action: After selecting a trigger, choose an action from the Zapier menu. This action will primarily concern the other apps you will Zap together with your first one.  
  1. Let Zapier Handle It: Once you’ve linked together with other apps by giving them all an action to perform concerning your trigger function, you can sit back and relax. Watch as Zapier securely relays information and instructions between your zapped apps.  

Zapier is known for its brilliant user interface that is sensible, detailed, and extremely easy to use. It takes a handful of minutes to set up your Zapier account.

In turn, you will be saving large amounts of time each day by allowing the platform to do tedious tasks on your behalf. At the same time, you focus on more important things, like communicating with clients and making sales.

Features 

Zapier is one of the best automation software in the market and has a fantastic set of features that you can use to make your life much simpler. 

Here is a summary of these features: 

  • Sync your workflow with Google Calendar 
  • Create zaps using triggers and actions and allow for ongoing sync of data across multiple platforms 
  • Enjoy ongoing maintenance of all APIs 
  • Ability to extend your current workflow by integrating even more apps and actions into it 
  • Enjoy automatic data entry 
  • Over 2000 apps to choose from 
  • Pre-made list of triggers and actions; all you have to do is select the ones you need 
  • Use any app to start your workflow and end it with whichever set of apps suits your requirements  

Zapier also has an extremely convenient method of usage. Setting up workflows and zapping together apps takes mere minutes and can save you not just hours but days in the long run.  

Is Zapier safe?

  • Credentials that you use to connect your accounts to Zapier are protected with bank-level encryption.
  • Zapier has been fully GDPR compliant since May 25th, 2018. It acts both as a Data Controller and as a Data Processor within the realm of GDPR compliance:

As a Data Controller, you’re responsible for safeguarding the data of your customers as they interact directly with services integrated with Zapier.

As a Data Processor, Zapier is responsible for safeguarding the data of our partners’ and customers’ users as it flows through our system.

  • Zapier has been fully CCPA compliant since January 1st, 2020
  • Zapier does not claim HIPAA compliance, and cannot advise on how Zapier usage may or may not comply with your unique requirements.
EncryptionGDPR ComplianceCCPA ComplianceHIPAA Compliance

For more information on Zapier’s privacy and security, click here.

Pros and Cons of Zapier

Zapier, like any app, has its own set of pros and cons. 

PROSCONS
Multiple plans to choose from; users can select one that works best for them Expensive
Accessible user interface Some applications offer limited functions, so you may still need to create some integrations outside of Zapier, defeating the purpose of the app 
Over 2000 apps to choose from 
Users do not need to know how to code 
Excellent customer support

Pricing  

Zapier’s pricing competes with some of the best automation software in the market. It offers a set of plans, all of which are priced at different levels. Here is a list of the plans and their prices: 

1. Free Plan 

Zapier’s free plan allows you to set up 5 zaps with a 15 minute update time. Users can enjoy up to 100 tasks a month performed by Zapier. This plan includes single step zaps.  

2. Starter Plan 

The starter plan costs $19.99 per month when billed annually, or $24.99 when billed each month. This plan allows users to create 20 zaps with a 15 minute update time. One can enjoy up to 750 tasks per month.  

Here are the other features included in this plan: 

  • Multi-step zaps 
  • 3 premium apps 
  • Filters 
  • Formatters 
  • Connections via webhooks 

3. Professional Plan 

The professional plan costs $49 per month when billed annually, or $61.25 when billed month-to-month.

This plan allows users to create unlimited zaps with a 2 minute update time. This is a massive upgrade from the previous plans. One can enjoy up to 2000 tasks per month with a professional plan. 

Here are the other features included in this plan: 

  • Multi-step zaps 
  • Unlimited premium apps 
  • Custom logic paths 
  • Filters 
  • Formatters 
  • Connections via webhooks 
  • Auto replay 

4. Team Plan 

The team plan costs $299 per month when billed annually, or $373.75 when billed every month. This plan allows users to create unlimited zaps with a 1 minute update time. One can enjoy up to a staggering 50,000 tasks per month with the team plan. 

Here are the other features included in this plan: 

  • Multi-step zaps 
  • Unlimited premium apps 
  • Custom logic paths 
  • Filters 
  • Formatters 
  • Connections via webhooks 
  • Auto replay 
  • Unlimited users 
  • Folder permissions 
  • Premier support 
  • Shared app connections 
  • Shared workspace for teams 

5. Company Plan 

The company plan costs $599 per month when billed annually, or $748.75 when billed on a monthly basis. This plan enables its users to create unlimited zaps with a 1 minute update time. Users can enjoy up to 100,000 tasks per month with the company plan. 

Here are the other features included in this plan: 

  • Multi-step zaps 
  • Unlimited premium apps 
  • Custom logic paths 
  • Filters 
  • Formatters 
  • Connections via webhooks 
  • Auto replay 
  • Unlimited users 
  • Folder permissions 
  • Premier support 
  • Shared app connections 
  • Shared workspace for teams 
  • Apps restrictions 
  • Account consolidation 
  • Custom data retention 
  • Advanced admin permissions 
  • User provisioning (SCIM) 
  • SAML sing sign on (SSO) 

Conclusion 

All in all, Zapier is an excellent application that can save your time if used effectively, making it one of the best automation software you can get today. However, it is wildly expensive and may take some getting used to despite the overall convenient user interface. 

References: 

https://zapier.com/learn/getting-started-guide/what-is-zapier/

https://zapier.com/how-it-works

https://www.getapp.com/it-management-software/a/zapier/features/

https://zapier.com/features/ 

https://zapier.com/pricing https://www.appointmentplus.com/blog/zapier-how-to-manage-the-downside/  

https://zapier.com/help/account/data-management/data-privacy-at-zapier