# The Top 7 Pipedream Alternatives in 2025: Building Integrations After the Workday Acquisition Just yesterday, Workday announced its acquisition of Pipedream, the integration platform known for its 3,000+ pre-built connectors and developer-friendly approach. The deal, expected to close by January 31, 2026, marks an exciting inflection point for the integration platform market. Pipedream's extensive connector library will soon power Workday's AI agent ecosystem, joining recent acquisitions Sana and Flowise to create what Workday calls "the enterprise AI platform for managing people, money, and agents." For Pipedream's 5,000+ customers and tens of thousands of users, this creates an interesting decision point. While Workday has committed to supporting existing customers through the transition, the platform's future development will focus more on AI agent connectivity and Workday-specific use cases. With this acquisition, it’s a good time for teams to evaluate integration platforms that remain independent and focused on their core mission. The integration platform market has never been more vibrant. From no-code automation tools to developer infrastructure for deep CRM syncs, teams now have specialized solutions for every integration challenge. This guide explores seven active platforms that represent the future of integration infrastructure in 2025. ## What Happened: Pipedream Joins Workday's AI Ecosystem On November 19, 2025, Workday announced its definitive agreement to acquire Pipedream, a low-code integration platform that enables developers to build workflows connecting APIs, automate processes, and power agentic products. The acquisition follows Workday's purchases of Sana (an AI workplace assistant) and Flowise (a low-code tool for building AI agents), signaling Workday's aggressive push into the AI agent space. Workday's vision is clear: combine Pipedream's connectivity layer with their trusted HR and finance data to enable AI agents that don't just provide insights but take action. Imagine an AI agent that accelerates performance reviews by pulling project data from Jira, requesting peer feedback through Slack, and updating records in Workday without manual steps. This is the future Workday is building toward, with Pipedream's 3,000+ connectors serving as the connectivity backbone. For Pipedream's existing customer base, this means the platform will optimize more for Workday's ecosystem. While the standalone product will continue operating, roadmap priorities will shift toward serving Workday's 11,000+ organizational customers and their AI agent use cases. This transition period (as the deal closes in Q4 FY2026) is the right time for teams to assess whether a platform with independent focus better serves their long-term integration needs. ## Why Teams Are Evaluating Pipedream Alternatives The Workday acquisition highlights several trends driving teams to evaluate their integration strategy: **Strategic independence:** Independent platforms remain focused on integration infrastructure, ensuring their roadmap aligns with your needs instead of a parent company's broader strategy. **Depth versus breadth:.** Pipedream connects hundreds of apps for automation (the long tail of SaaS connectivity). But different teams need different approaches. Some need deep, bi-directional syncs with CRM and ERP platforms. Others need embedded integrations within their B2B SaaS product. **Integration complexity has matured.** Five years ago, connecting Salesforce to Slack was impressive. Today, teams need to handle multi-tenant architectures, sync 50 million contacts, manage custom field mappings at the customer level, and maintain these integrations at scale. The opportunity isn't to replace Pipedream with an identical platform but to evaluate infrastructure optimized for your specific integration challenges. ## How We Chose These Pipedream Alternatives We evaluated platforms across six critical dimensions to identify the best alternatives building in 2025: **Active development and innovation.** We focused on independent platforms with clear product roadmaps and consistent feature releases. These companies aren't pivoting to serve a parent company's broader vision but are focused on solving integration challenges. **Integration depth and flexibility.** Beyond connector count, we assessed whether platforms support the complex scenarios modern teams face: custom field mapping, multi-tenancy, bi-directional sync, webhook handling, and API-specific features that don't fit standardized schemas. **Use case coverage.** The best platforms excel at specific jobs. We included specialists in deep CRM/ERP integrations, data synchronization, automation, and embedded product integrations to cover the full spectrum of integration needs. **Developer experience quality.** From SDK design to documentation clarity, debugging tools to deployment workflows, we evaluated whether platforms respect developers' time and enable rapid iteration. **Pricing transparency and alignment.** We prioritized platforms with clear pricing models that scale with usage, avoiding surprise costs that blow integration budgets. **Deployment flexibility.** Different teams have different requirements. Some need cloud-only simplicity. Others require self-hosted options for data residency. We included platforms spanning this spectrum. The platforms below represent the best options for teams building integrations in 2025, whether you're automating internal workflows, building product integrations for customers, or syncing data across your operational stack. ## The 7 Best Pipedream Alternatives in 2025 ### 1. Ampersand **Quick Overview** Ampersand takes a different approach to integrations, focusing on deep, native product integrations with enterprise systems of record. While Pipedream excels at connecting hundreds of apps for workflow automation, Ampersand specializes in the complex, customer-facing integrations that make or break B2B SaaS deals. Mid-Market and Enterprise buyers expect deep CRM syncs with Salesforce, ERP connections to NetSuite, and bi-directional data flows with Workday and HubSpot. When a Salesforce integration is a core product feature rather than a nice-to-have, Ampersand provides the infrastructure that turns a two-year build into a two-week deployment. Ampersand focuses on the systems of record that genuinely matter for enterprise SaaS—the integrations where 60% of your engineering bandwidth goes to a single connector because the complexity is real and the stakes are high. While Ampersand now covers over 200 connectors, few platforms go deeper on the most important enterprise systems. **Best For** B2B SaaS companies building customer-facing integrations with enterprise systems of record (Salesforce, NetSuite, HubSpot, Workday, Microsoft Dynamics). If your integration is a feature your customers evaluate during sales demos and configure post-purchase, Ampersand is built for you. **Pros** - Built specifically for deep, customer-facing integrations rather than internal automation workflows - Native support for complex multi-tenancy scenarios like Salesforce's 70+ org architecture problem - Declarative framework enables extensible, bi-directional, customer-configurable integrations - Read and write to any object or field, whether standard or custom, without unified API limitations - Managed authentication with automatic token refresh, credential storage, and security handling - Detailed observability dashboards provide visibility into sync operations at scale across customer base - Open-source connector library with broad coverage across sales, revenue, marketing, and support systems - Cuts integration build time from two years to two weeks for complex enterprise systems - Zero maintenance burden as platform handles infrastructure scaling, API changes, and rate limiting - Founded by team with deep integration experience who understand enterprise complexity - Strong customer validation from companies like 11x (reduced AI agent response time from 60s to 5s) and Clay **Cons** - Focused on systems of record rather than the long tail of app ecosystem connectivity - More technical implementation compared to no-code drag-and-drop platforms **Pricing** Free tier available to start building integrations immediately. Usage-based pricing begins after 2 GB of data delivered and starts at $999 for Catalyst tier. Contact sales for enterprise pricing and volume discounts. **Voice of the User** "I have built hundreds of integrations at Clay. Ampersand is the first developer platform that gets it right." The platform's focus on developer experience and handling enterprise complexity resonates with teams who've experienced the pain of building these integrations in-house. **Why Ampersand Over Pipedream** Pipedream is excellent for connecting apps and automating workflows across your internal stack. Ampersand is built for the integrations that directly generate revenue—the Salesforce sync that closes the enterprise deal, the NetSuite connection that enables finance teams, the HubSpot integration that marketing demands as a requirement. When 60% of your integration bandwidth goes to a single NetSuite connector (as Ampersand's CEO experienced at G2), you need infrastructure built for depth, not breadth. The key difference is customer-facing versus internal. Pipedream helps you connect your tools together. Ampersand helps you build integrations your customers use, configure, and depend on. These customer-facing integrations have different requirements: they need to handle each customer's custom fields, support their unique workflows, scale across hundreds of tenants with different configurations, and maintain reliability that directly impacts customer satisfaction and retention. While Pipedream optimizes for the long tail of app connectivity with 3,000+ connectors, Ampersand digs deep on the 10-15 systems of record that truly matter for enterprise B2B. When companies choose between integration platforms, they're really choosing between breadth and depth. For teams where a deep Salesforce or NetSuite integration is a competitive differentiator along with producing real-time data, Ampersand's specialized infrastructure delivers faster time-to-market and eliminates ongoing maintenance burden. --- ### 2. Make **Quick Overview** Make is a visual workflow automation platform acquired by Celonis in 2020. It uses a flowchart-style interface for building automations and offers data transformation features. **Best For** Teams that prefer visual workflow builders and need data transformation between steps. **Pros** - Flowchart-style visual interface - $10.59/month entry price with 10,000 operations - 1,500+ app integrations - Data transformation built into workflows **Cons** - Learning curve for advanced features - Can get expensive at scale - Interface gets cluttered with complex workflows **Pricing** Free tier with 1,000 operations/month. Paid plans from $10.59/month. --- ### 3. Zapier **Quick Overview** Zapier is an established workflow automation platform founded in 2011 that connects over 7,000 apps. It's designed for non-technical users who need simple app connections. **Best For** Small to medium businesses looking for straightforward automations without technical setup. **Pros** - 7,000+ app integrations - Simple interface for non-technical users - Large template library - Reliable uptime **Cons** - Expensive at scale - Limited data transformation - Task-based pricing creates unpredictable costs - Advanced features require higher tiers **Pricing** Free tier with 100 tasks/month. Paid from $19.99/month. --- ### 4. Whalesync **Quick Overview** Whalesync is a no-code platform that creates two-way data sync between apps like Airtable, Webflow, Notion, and Postgres. It focuses on keeping data synchronized instead of event-triggered updates. **Best For** Operations teams that need bi-directional data sync between operational tools and databases. **Pros** - Two-way sync keeps data updated - Unlimited updates on synced records - Works with popular no-code tools - Detailed sync activity logs **Cons** - Limited connector library compared to broader platforms - Records-based pricing model - Not suitable for event-driven workflows **Pricing** Starter at $20/month (500 records, 2 syncs) --- ### 5. Workato **Quick Overview** Workato is an enterprise integration and automation platform founded in 2013. It serves large organizations with complex automation needs and enterprise security requirements. **Best For** Enterprise organizations with substantial budgets and complex integration requirements. **Pros** - Enterprise security and compliance certifications - Pre-built automation recipes - Handles cloud and on-premise systems - Dedicated enterprise support **Cons** - Expensive compared to SMB alternatives - Overkill for smaller teams - Contract-based pricing lacks flexibility **Pricing** Enterprise pricing only, typically $15,000+ annually. Contact sales for quotes. --- ### 6. Merge **Quick Overview** Merge provides unified APIs that let B2B companies add multiple integrations within software categories like HRIS, ATS, and CRM. Instead of building separate integrations, you build to one API per category. **Best For** B2B SaaS companies that need standardized data from multiple providers in the same category. **Pros** - Add many integrations by building to one API - Normalized data models eliminate schema differences - Manages authentication and webhooks - Integration monitoring and logging **Cons** - Limited to common fields available across all providers - Can't access provider-specific features - Expensive at scale - Not suitable for deep, customized integrations **Pricing** Contact sales. Typically $20,000+ annually for entry-level implementations. --- ### 7. Paragon **Quick Overview** Paragon is an embedded iPaaS that helps B2B SaaS companies add integrations to their products. It embeds into your application to provide integration experiences for your end users. **Best For** B2B SaaS engineering teams building customer-facing integrations as product features. **Pros** - Embedded integration marketplace - Build workflows in UI or TypeScript - Git synchronization for version control - Managed authentication across platform **Cons** - SSO and RBAC only on enterprise plan - Pricing increases with customer growth - More technical than no-code alternatives **Pricing** Free tier for development. Usage-based pricing scales with executions. Contact sales for enterprise pricing. --- ## Summary Comparison Table | Tool | Starting Price | Best For | Notable Features | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Ampersand** | Free tier, usage-based | Deep CRM/ERP integrations (Salesforce, NetSuite, Workday) | Bi-directional sync, custom field mapping, managed auth, built for integrations customers use | | **Make** | $10.59/month | Visual automation with data transformation | 5x more operations than Pipedream at entry level, powerful data transformation | | **Zapier** | Free tier, $19.99+/month | SMBs needing quick app connections | 7,000+ app integrations, AI-powered workflows, extensive template library | | **Whalesync** | $20/month | True two-way data synchronization | Unlimited updates, real-time sync, deep no-code tool integrations | | **Workato** | Contact sales (~$15K+/year) | Large organizations with complex needs | AI-powered recipes, 1,000+ connectors, security and governance | | **Merge** | Contact sales (~$20K+/year) | Category-based unified APIs (HRIS, ATS, CRM) | Normalized data models, 220+ integrations across 6 categories, observability | | **Paragon** | Free tier, usage-based | B2B SaaS companies embedding integrations | Code or visual workflows, Git sync, MCP server for AI agents, embedded marketplace | **Ready to build deep, reliable integrations with CRM and ERP platforms?** [Start with Ampersand's free tier today →](https://www.withampersand.com/) --- ## Why Ampersand Is the Smart Choice for B2B Integrations While Pipedream moves into Workday's AI agent ecosystem, teams building product integrations for B2B SaaS need infrastructure designed for their use case. Ampersand emerged from this exact problem: the founder spent four years at Siftery and G2 trying to find a platform that could handle deep Salesforce and NetSuite integrations well. None existed. The difference is depth versus breadth. Ampersand doesn't try to connect 3,000 apps but focuses on the platforms that make or break deals. When Salesforce, NetSuite, and Workday represent the majority of your integration complexity and the biggest drivers of deal velocity, you need infrastructure that treats them as first-class citizens instead of just another connector in a long list. This specialized focus delivers real results. When 11x reduced their AI agent response time from 60 seconds to 5 seconds using Ampersand, it was because the platform handles the hard problems that generic automation tools don't: multi-tenancy across dozens of Salesforce orgs, custom field mapping that customers control, bi-directional sync that maintains data integrity, and the ongoing maintenance that kills engineering velocity when you build in-house. The infrastructure approach matters too. Ampersand's declarative framework means you define what should sync, not how to sync it. The platform handles authentication, token refresh, rate limiting, API versioning, and all the undifferentiated heavy lifting that takes 60% of development time. Your team focuses on your product while Ampersand manages the integration infrastructure. As Pipedream integrates into Workday's broader vision, Ampersand remains focused on one mission: helping B2B SaaS companies build the integrations for customers that close deals and retain accounts. When your Salesforce integration is evaluated in every demo, when your NetSuite connector determines whether finance teams can adopt your product, you need infrastructure that treats these integrations with the importance they deserve. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Pipedream and why is the Workday acquisition significant? Pipedream is a low-code integration platform that enables developers to build workflows connecting 3,000+ applications without managing infrastructure. Workday acquired Pipedream on November 19, 2025, to integrate it with recent acquisitions Sana and Flowise for an end-to-end AI agent platform. As Pipedream's development shifts toward Workday's AI agent ecosystem, teams building B2B product integrations should evaluate platforms like Ampersand that remain focused on deep CRM and ERP integrations. ### How do I choose the right Pipedream alternative? Start by identifying whether you need internal automation or integrations that your customers use and configure. If you're building a B2B SaaS product where Salesforce, NetSuite, or HubSpot integrations are features your customers evaluate during demos, Ampersand provides the infrastructure for deep, bi-directional syncs that handle custom fields and multi-tenancy. For simple internal automations, platforms like Zapier or Make work well. ### Is Ampersand better than Pipedream for B2B integrations? Yes, for customer-facing B2B integrations. Pipedream excels at connecting thousands of apps for internal automation, while Ampersand specializes in the deep Salesforce and NetSuite integrations that close deals and retain customers. When your integration needs to sync 50 million contacts, handle each customer's custom fields, or manage multi-tenant Salesforce architectures, Ampersand reduces a two-year build to two months with zero ongoing maintenance burden. ### What's the difference between automation and native product integrations? Automation connects apps for internal processes like sending Slack notifications when deals close. Native product integrations are customer-facing features in your SaaS product that enable deep data synchronization with platforms like Salesforce and NetSuite. Ampersand is built specifically for native product integrations where each customer configures their own field mappings and the integration quality impacts revenue and retention. ### Can I migrate from Pipedream to another platform? Yes, and now is the right time as Pipedream pivots toward Workday's ecosystem. Simple internal workflows can migrate to Zapier or Make within weeks. For customer-facing integrations with Salesforce or NetSuite, Ampersand offers migration support and can deliver production-ready integrations in two to eight weeks. The free tier lets you test Ampersand with a proof-of-concept before committing. ### How quickly can I see results with a new integration platform? With Ampersand, you can start building in the free tier immediately and have a proof-of-concept Salesforce or NetSuite integration running within one to two weeks. Full production deployment for complex B2B integrations takes two to eight weeks compared to six to twenty-four months building in-house. The platform handles authentication, rate limiting, and ongoing maintenance, so your team focuses on product features instead of infrastructure. ### What's the difference between unified APIs and embedded iPaaS? Unified APIs like Merge standardize data across many providers but limit you to common fields that work everywhere. Embedded iPaaS platforms like Paragon offer workflow flexibility but require building each integration separately. Ampersand takes a different approach: deep, specialized infrastructure for the specific platforms that matter (Salesforce, NetSuite, HubSpot, Workday) with full API access, custom field support, and multi-tenancy handling that unified APIs can't provide. ### Will Pipedream continue to support existing customers after the Workday acquisition? Workday will support existing customers through the transition closing January 31, 2026, but future development will prioritize Workday's AI agent use cases over standalone integration needs. For teams where Salesforce or NetSuite integrations are core product features, this is the right time to evaluate Ampersand, which remains independent and focused solely on helping B2B SaaS companies build the deep integrations that close deals and retain customers.
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