The Problem
Why teams leave Zapier
Per-task pricing makes costs unpredictable and scaling expensive
Multi-step zaps consume multiple tasks per execution
Task quotas force you to choose which processes to automate
No error handling or monitoring without higher tiers
Premium app connectors cost extra
5-minute minimum polling interval on most plans
What We Build Instead
Your custom automation tool
Custom workflow engine with unlimited executions
Real-time event-driven triggers — no polling delays
Error handling, retry logic, and monitoring built-in
Direct API integrations — no middleware overhead
Complex multi-step workflows with branching logic
Runs on your infrastructure for pennies per execution
The Math
Zapier vs. custom build
Based on 10 seats at $49/seat/month, with ~10% annual SaaS price increases.
Keep paying Zapier
Build with 86 SaaS
3-year savings with 10 seats
-$16,846
-87% less than Zapier
Pricing Breakdown
Zapier tier pricing vs. one-time custom build
Compare what you pay per seat across Zapier's tiers against a single investment in software you own forever.
| Tier | Monthly/Seat | Annual/Seat | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free | 100 tasks/month, 5 Zaps, Single-step Zaps, Basic integrations |
| Starter | $20/mo | $20/mo | 750 tasks/month, Multi-step Zaps, Filters, Formatter |
| Professional | $49/mo | $49/mo | 2,000 tasks/month, Paths (branching), Auto-replay, Custom logic |
| Team | $69/mo | $69/mo | Shared workspace, Premier support, Shared app connections, SSO |
| Custom Build by 86 SaaS | $15,000–$35,000 one-time | $0/seat | Unlimited users, full ownership, no recurring fees |
Migration Timeline
From Zapier to ownership — week by week
A structured migration plan to move off Zapier in 4-8 weeks with zero downtime.
Discovery & Audit
1 weekMap all active Zaps, trigger/action configurations, and task consumption patterns. Identify premium app usage.
Architecture & Design
1 weekDesign event-driven workflow engine with real-time triggers, branching logic, and error handling.
Core Development
2-4 weeksBuild workflow engine, direct API integrations, error handling, retry logic, and monitoring dashboard.
Data Migration & Testing
1 weekRecreate Zap logic as custom workflows, test each integration end-to-end, validate error handling.
Deployment & Training
1 weekDeploy workflow engine, run parallel with Zapier for validation, train team on building workflows.
Total build time
4-8 weeks
Feature Comparison
What you keep, what you skip, and why
A transparent comparison of Zapier features vs. your custom-built alternative.
| Feature | Zapier | Custom Build | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workflow Automation | |||
| Multi-Step Workflows | |||
| Branching Logic | |||
| Error Handling & Retry | Built-in — not a premium feature | ||
| Real-Time Triggers | Event-driven — no 5-minute polling delay | ||
| Unlimited Executions | No task quotas or per-execution costs | ||
| Monitoring & Logging | |||
| API Integrations | Direct — no middleware overhead | ||
| 6,000+ App Connectors | Replaced by direct API integrations for your specific tools | ||
| Zapier Tables | Replaced by your own database with more flexibility | ||
| Data Ownership | Your infrastructure — pennies per execution |
Your custom build focuses on the features your team actually uses — typically 15-20% of what Zapier offers — built exactly for your workflow.
How It Works
From Zapier to ownership in 4-8 weeks
Free Audit
We analyze your Zapier usage and identify exactly which features your team actually uses.
Scope & Build
We build your custom automation tool with only the features you need. 4-8 weeks.
Deploy & Migrate
We deploy to your infrastructure, migrate your data from Zapier, and train your team.
You Own It
Full source code, documentation, and optional maintenance retainer. No vendor lock-in. Ever.