Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Babel VS Zapier

Compare Babel VS Zapier and see what are their differences

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Babel logo Babel

Babel is a compiler for writing next generation JavaScript.

Zapier logo Zapier

Connect the apps you use everyday to automate your work and be more productive. 1000+ apps and easy integrations - get started in minutes.
  • Babel Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-02
  • Zapier Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-24

Babel features and specs

  • JavaScript Version Compatibility
    Babel allows developers to write code using the latest JavaScript features and syntax, and transpile it into a version of JavaScript that can run on older browsers. This ensures greater compatibility across different environments.
  • Future-Proof Code
    With Babel, developers can start using upcoming JavaScript features today. This means that codebases can stay modern and developers can take advantage of new functionalities without waiting for full browser support.
  • Ecosystem and Plugins
    Babel has a rich ecosystem of plugins and presets that can extend its capabilities, making it highly adaptable to different project needs. This modularity allows for customization and enhancement of the build process.
  • Integration with Modern Development Tools
    Babel integrates well with various development tools such as Webpack, making it easier to include in existing build processes and workflows. This helps streamline development and maintain efficient workflows.
  • Community and Support
    Babel has a large and active community, which means extensive documentation, tutorials, and support forums. This can be particularly useful for troubleshooting and staying updated with best practices.

Possible disadvantages of Babel

  • Performance Overhead
    Transpiling code with Babel introduces a performance overhead during the build process. This can slow down development workflows, especially for large codebases with many files.
  • Configuration Complexity
    Setting up Babel can be complex, particularly for beginners. The numerous options and plugins available can sometimes be overwhelming and require significant time to configure correctly.
  • Source Map Issues
    Generating accurate source maps can sometimes be tricky with Babel, leading to difficulties in debugging. Misconfigured source maps can make it harder to track down issues within the original source code.
  • Dependency Bloat
    Including Babel in a project can add a significant number of dependencies. This dependency bloat can increase the size of the project and potentially introduce maintenance challenges or security vulnerabilities.
  • Learning Curve
    There is a learning curve associated with Babel, especially for developers who are new to modern JavaScript tooling. Understanding how Babel works and how to effectively use its features can take time and effort.

Zapier features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Zapier offers an intuitive interface, making it easy for non-technical users to set up automated workflows without any coding knowledge.
  • Wide Range of Integrations
    With support for over 3,000 apps, Zapier allows you to connect a multitude of platforms and services, facilitating robust and diverse automation opportunities.
  • Custom Automation
    Users can create customized automation workflows (Zaps) tailored to their specific business needs, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
  • Scalability
    Zapier can handle both simple tasks and complex, multi-step workflows, making it suitable for businesses of any size.
  • Excellent Support and Resources
    Zapier offers extensive documentation, tutorials, and customer support to help users get the most out of its platform.
  • No Startup Costs
    Zapier offers a free tier, which is suitable for basic use cases or for testing the platform before committing to a paid plan.
  • Time-Saving
    By automating repetitive tasks, Zapier saves users considerable time, allowing them to focus on more strategic activities.

Possible disadvantages of Zapier

  • Cost
    Advanced functionalities and higher task volumes are only available on paid plans, which can be expensive for small businesses.
  • Limited by API
    Zapier's capabilities are constrained by the APIs of the apps it integrates with, meaning it can't perform functions outside of what the app's API supports.
  • Task Limitations
    The free plan has a limit on the number of tasks (automations) you can perform per month, which may not be sufficient for heavy users.
  • Complex Workflows Require Expertise
    While simple tasks are easy to set up, more complex workflows can require a good understanding of how APIs and integrations work, which may necessitate expert knowledge.
  • Performance Variability
    The speed at which Zaps execute can vary depending on the load on Zapier's servers and the response times of integrated apps.
  • Data Privacy
    Storing workflow data in a third-party platform may raise data privacy and security concerns, especially for businesses handling sensitive information.
  • Customization Limitations
    While Zapier is highly customizable, it may not offer the same level of customization and flexibility as custom-built solutions tailored entirely to unique business processes.

Analysis of Babel

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Babel is widely considered a good tool for modern JavaScript development. It eases the use of cutting-edge JavaScript features and ensures broader compatibility, which is crucial for many projects. Its active community and continuous updates reflect its standing as a reliable and well-supported choice.

Why this product is good

  • Babel is a popular JavaScript compiler that allows developers to use the latest JavaScript features while maintaining compatibility with older environments that may not support these features natively. It transforms modern JavaScript code into a version that can run in current and older browsers or environments. Babel is highly configurable and has a rich ecosystem of plugins and presets that enable developers to tailor it to their specific needs, making development smoother and more efficient.

Recommended for

    Babel is recommended for web developers who want to write modern JavaScript but need to ensure that their code remains functional across different environments and older browsers. It is also valuable for projects where developers aspire to use the latest ECMAScript features without waiting for broad native support.

Analysis of Zapier

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Zapier is generally considered a good tool for automating tasks across different applications. Its reliability, ease of use, and broad integration capabilities make it a valuable asset for individuals and businesses looking to enhance productivity.

Why this product is good

  • Zapier is a popular automation tool that allows users to connect various apps and services to automate repetitive tasks. It supports a wide range of applications and offers a user-friendly interface, making it accessible even for non-technical users. The platform is known for its extensive library of integrations, flexibility, and efficiency in streamlining workflows.

Recommended for

  • Small to medium-sized businesses looking to automate processes and integrate multiple applications.
  • Freelancers or individuals seeking to streamline their workflows without extensive technical skills.
  • Teams looking to reduce manual, repetitive tasks and improve operational efficiency.

Babel videos

Babel - Movie Review

More videos:

  • Review - Day 16 | Babel Review | 365 Films
  • Review - Worth The Hype? - BABEL Review
  • Review - Book CommuniTEA: Is BABEL a rac1st mani!fest0? [you should know the answer]
  • Review - Babel is a Masterpiece, And Here's Why

Zapier videos

Zapier Developer Platform Example Etsy

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Zapier Tutorial | How to Automate Tasks and STOP WASTING TIME!
  • Review - A COMPLETE GUIDE TO USING ZAPIER - Beginner's Edition
  • Review - Getting started with Zapier triggers and actions
  • Review - What is Zapier?
  • Tutorial - Zapier 2022 Automation Review & Tutorial - How To Make A Zap 🤖

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Babel and Zapier)
Development Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Web Service Automation
0 0%
100% 100
Javascript UI Libraries
100 100%
0% 0
Automation
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Babel and Zapier

Babel Reviews

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Zapier Reviews

The Best n8n.io Alternatives for Workflow Automation in 2025
Zapier is a widely-used workflow automation tool that has gained popularity due to its user-friendly interface and extensive library of pre-built integrations. It enables users to create "Zaps," which are essentially automated workflows that connect different applications and services, without the need for coding. Zapier's strengths lie in its simplicity and the sheer number...
Source: latenode.com
N8n.io Alternatives
Zapier is a powerful automation tool that connects your favorite apps and services, streamlining workflows and increasing productivity. With Zapier, you can automate repetitive tasks without needing any coding skills, making it accessible for users of all technical levels.
Source: apix-drive.com
The Best MuleSoft Alternatives [2024]
Zapier is a reliable MuleSoft alternative because it allows users to automate workflows and connect systems to interact with and share data between 6,000+ apps.
Source: exalate.com
Top 5 Microsoft Power Automate alternatives for 2024
“Zapier is a great option among Power Automate alternatives,” says Kev Tilley, financial expert and managing director at Mortgageable UK. “Like Power Automate, Zapier has a wide range of built-in integrations that make it easy to connect to popular apps and services. In addition, Zapier offers support for custom connectors.”
Source: www.jotform.com
Top 15 MuleSoft Competitors and Alternatives
Zapier is a software company specializing in task automation. Businesses can use Zapier to integrate web applications and automate workflows. In 2022, Zapier enabled customers to connect and move data across over 5,000 apps, including Salesforce, Jira, and Airtable.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Babel should be more popular than Zapier. It has been mentiond 147 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Babel mentions (147)

  • Valentine’s Day Breakup: React Dumps Create React App
    Create React App (CRA) is a command-line interface tool that allows developers to set up a React project easily. It primarily serves as a project scaffolding tool, allowing you to create a new project with a single command: npx create-react-app . CRA comes with tools like Webpack and Babel, which handle the bundling and transpiling of code. The tools are pre-configured. It comes with a development server that... - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • #wecode Landing Page - WeCoded Challenge March 2025
    @vitejs/plugin-react uses Babel for Fast Refresh. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • You Don’t Know JS Yet: My Weekly Journey Through JavaScript Mastery
    For new and incompatible syntax, the solution is transpiling—converting newer JS syntax to older syntax that can run on older engines. The most popular transpiler? Babel. This process ensures modern JS code can still reach a wide audience, even on legacy systems. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Desktop apps for Windows XP in 2025
    Fortunately we have tools like PostCSS and Babel, that let you target your specific Browser version, and they'll do their best to transpile and polyfill your code to work with that version. This alone will do a lot of the heavy lifting for you if you are working with a lot of code. However, if you are just writing out a few HTML, CSS, and JS files, then that would be overkill and you can just figure out what code... - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • The Tools and APIs That Made My GeoGuessr 🌍 Project Possible
    Cross-Browser Compatibility: Some features worked differently across browsers. I used Babel to transpile my JavaScript code, ensuring it worked consistently everywhere. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
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Zapier mentions (26)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Babel and Zapier, you can also consider the following products

jQuery - The Write Less, Do More, JavaScript Library.

ifttt - IFTTT puts the internet to work for you. Create simple connections between the products you use every day.

React Native - A framework for building native apps with React

Make.com - Tool for workflow automation (Former Integromat)

Composer - Composer is a tool for dependency management in PHP.

n8n.io - Free and open fair-code licensed node based Workflow Automation Tool. Easily automate tasks across different services.