Relay vs Zapier
Comprehensive side-by-side comparison — features, pricing, performance, and more.
Updated May 2026
Trust & Reliability
Overall Winner: Zapier
7.8/10 vs Relay at 7.3/10
Leads in:
Support
Output Quality
Customizability
AI Comparison Summary
Relay
7.3
avg score
Zapier
7.8
avg score
Zapier leads overall.
Based on 6 dimensions
How scores are calculatedOverall Winner
Zapier
7.8 / 10
Relay
Best For
Automating repetitive business processes for small business owners
Creating custom AI agents for marketing and customer support
Streamlining operational workflows with human oversight
Building integrations between various business applications
Not Ideal For
Developers looking for a code-first agent framework
Users requiring on-premise deployment for sensitive data
Organizations needing highly specialized, niche integrations not yet supported
Zapier
Best For
Automating multi-step business processes across various applications
Building custom AI assistants for specific organizational tasks
Deploying AI chatbots for instant customer support and lead qualification
Scaling AI initiatives safely across enterprise teams
Not Ideal For
Deep custom coding projects without external tools
Users needing highly specialized, niche AI models not available via integrations
Offline-only operations or on-premise deployments
* Verdict is based on our algorithmic scoring of publicly available data. Learn about our methodology
Relay is best for
🤖Automation & Agents7.7
Zapier is best for
🤖Automation & Agents8.3
Filter by your use case:
Pros & Cons
RelayPros
- User-friendly visual editor makes automation accessible to non-technical users
- Robust 'Human in the Loop' feature ensures critical tasks have human oversight
- Extensive library of 100+ native integrations with popular business apps
- Supports a wide range of AI models (GPT, Claude, Gemini, Mistral, DeepSeek, Groq, Qwen, xAI)
- Offers advanced workflow primitives like dynamic waits and merging paths
- Excellent customer support with fast response times and community options
Cons
- Requires some learning curve for complex workflows despite user-friendly UI
- Advanced features like custom JavaScript require technical understanding
- No explicit mention of mobile applications for on-the-go management
- Pricing scales with usage (steps and AI credits), which can become costly for high-volume tasks
- No explicit mention of an SDK for programmatic agent development
ZapierPros
- Connects to an unparalleled ecosystem of 8,000+ apps and AI tools
- Offers a comprehensive suite of AI automation tools including workflows, agents, and chatbots
- Provides robust enterprise-grade security and compliance (SOC 2/3, GDPR, CCPA)
- Supports both no-code automation and custom code via Functions
- Enables dynamic planning and orchestration of complex, multi-step tasks
- High reliability with a 99.99% uptime SLA
Cons
- Requires understanding of workflow logic for complex automations
- Reliance on third-party app APIs for core functionality
- Advanced features like Functions require coding knowledge
- May incur higher costs for extensive usage across many integrations
Weighted Score — Adjust What Matters to You
Pick a profile or drag sliders — scores and radar update instantly on the right.
Quick profiles:
Ease of Use5
Output Quality5
Value for Money5
Customizability5
Support & Ecosystem5
Integration Power5
Dimension Comparison
Relay
7.3
/ 10
Zapier
7.8
/ 10
Your pick
Dimension Breakdown
Ease of Use
AIHow easy it is to get started and use daily
Relay
8.0▲ +1.0
Zapier
7.0
Output Quality
AIQuality and accuracy of generated results
Relay
7.0
Zapier
8.0▲ +1.0
Value for Money
AICost vs. features and output quality
Relay
6.0
Zapier
7.0▲ +1.0
Customizability
CalculatedAbility to tailor to specific needs
Relay
7.0
Zapier
8.0▲ +1.0
Support & Ecosystem
AIDocumentation, community, and support quality
Relay
8.0
Zapier
9.0▲ +1.0
Integration Power
CalculatedAbility to connect with other tools and workflows
Relay
8.0
Zapier
8.0
Calculated = derived from verified integration count and API/open-source signals. AI = LLM-assessed from public website content. Methodology
Task Performance
Relay
Task
Zapier
8.09.0
Workflow Building
7.08.0
Trigger Variety
9.010.0
Action Library
6.08.0
Error Handling
7.07.0
Scheduling Capability
7.08.0
Conditional Logic
8.09.0
Api Connectivity
6.08.0
Monitoring Logging
8.09.0
Multi Step Chains
7.07.0
Autonomous Execution
* Task scores (1–10) are algorithmically generated from publicly available data.
Data is sourced from public information and vendor websites. It may not always be up-to-date — verify pricing and features directly with the vendor before purchasing.Report inaccuracy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Relay or Zapier?
Both are strong options. Relay has a rating of 0.0/5 (0 reviews), while Zapier has a rating of 0.0/5 (0 reviews). The best choice depends on your specific use case, budget, and workflow requirements.
Is Relay cheaper than Zapier?
Relay starts at free (freemium model). Zapier starts at free (freemium model) with a free trial. Use the Cost Calculator above for a detailed estimate.
What are the main differences between Relay and Zapier?
Relay — "Build an AI team that works for you, automating tasks across all your apps.". Zapier — "Transformative AI for every team, safely scaling workflows and agents". Key differences include their pricing models, platform support, integrations, and technical capabilities. See the Feature Comparison table above for a complete side-by-side breakdown.