ActivePieces vs ZeroWork
ActivePieces and ZeroWork are powerful automation tools, but they focus on different specialties. ActivePieces excels at complex backend logic and AI orchestration between systems. ZeroWork is unparalleled for secure RPA, web scraping, and rapid, high-frequency scheduling. Your choice depends entirely on whether you automate system logistics or website interactions.
Powerful Automation, Complex Pricing
We find ActivePieces to be a technologically superior tool that rivals Zapier and Make, excelling in handling complex, AI-first workflows and offering excellent cost efficiency. Overall, while the core automation engine and feature set are industry-leading and SOC 2 Type II compliant, the platform's relationship with its community has been significantly strained by retroactive policy and pricing changes.
Pros
- AI-first automation featuring agents and 470 connectors.
- High flexibility with no-code canvas and powerful Code module for custom JS libraries.
- Considered cost-effective and cheaper than competitors like Zapier and n8n.
- Includes enterprise-ready features like flow versioning and auto retry for failures.
Cons
- Lack of transparency regarding sudden, substantial pricing structure changes.
- Early supporters felt betrayed by perceived changes to lifetime deals.
- Users were automatically downgraded from paid plans to trial plans without notification.
- Inconsistent customer support response for issues not reported on GitHub.
Robust Automation for Non-Coders
We found ZeroWork to be an exceptional yet approachable RPA solution, delivering enterprise-grade features like advanced anti-bot detection and generous unlimited runtime. Overall, we confidently recommend ZeroWork for individuals and businesses seeking serious web automation capabilities without needing prior coding expertise.
Pros
- Highly intuitive visual builder; requires no coding experience.
- Exceptional reliability due to sophisticated anti-bot detection.
- Powerful integration features, including webhooks and HTTP requests.
- Generous plan features, including unlimited runtime and API calls.
Cons
- An initial time investment is required to master complex task creation.
- Priority customer support is reserved for the Business tier and above.
AboutActivePieces
ActivePieces delivers the full ecosystem for AI automation and agents. It focuses on connecting smart agents, no-code flows, and a central data store called Tables. This impressive platform is trusted by companies ranging from startups all the way to Fortune 50 organizations. You can easily start using ActivePieces on the cloud, or choose to self-host with Docker for ultimate control. Whether you are building complex AI agents or setting up simple automations, the system makes it smart and easy. 💡
AboutZeroWork
ZeroWork is an incredibly powerful yet easy-to-use RPA tool designed for automating nearly any website interaction. It combines complex capabilities—like scraping data or enriching lists—with simple visual tools. You don't need to write code to get started. Instead, you create powerful automations using its visual drag-and-drop interface. It’s built for any user who needs a robust system without needing a heavy technical background. 💡
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Core Automation Focus
ActivePieces handles backend AI systems; ZeroWork dominates web interaction and scraping tasks.
ActivePieces excels at orchestrating complex logic between its library of 434 internal business tools. It's built for reliability, ensuring processes run smoothly using advanced versioning and auto-retry features. ZeroWork is specialized for Robotic Process Automation (RPA) specifically on the web and social platforms. It handles complex, high-volume activities like data enrichment and secure multi-account operation. ActivePieces links your software ecosystem; ZeroWork interacts with external websites securely and reliably. Neither tool is a perfect substitute for the other due to their unique specialties. Choose ActivePieces for internal system cohesion, or ZeroWork for external web interactions.
AI Agent Capability
ActivePieces offers true, acting AI Agents; ZeroWork uses AI for specific content steps.
ActivePieces allows building powerful AI Agents that perform actions using the full 434-tool library. These agents can think, act, and even communicate with humans via the Todos component. It also helps developers with AI-assisted coding to build complex logic. ZeroWork seamlessly integrates custom AI steps directly within its TaskBots, focused on immediate utility. This AI is perfect for tasks like generating social media comments or scheduling posts automatically. ActivePieces focuses on high-level orchestration, while ZeroWork focuses on task-level execution. ActivePieces offers deeper, system-wide AI capabilities that function like an agentic team.
Learning Curve
ZeroWork is easier for non-coders; ActivePieces requires more familiarity with advanced logic.
ZeroWork is known for its highly intuitive visual drag-and-drop builder, suitable for novices. Many users report building their first functional TaskBots within a few hours. Comprehensive guides and crash courses help speed up proficiency with ZeroWork. ActivePieces uses a no-code canvas, but its features like Conditions, Loops, and MCPs demand technical familiarity. While powerful, ActivePieces is better suited for users who understand complex APIs and internal system logistics. ZeroWork is the definite winner if quick accessibility and non-technical setup are your priority.
Web Security & RPA
ZeroWork has unrivaled anti-bot detection; ActivePieces focuses on SOC 2 enterprise compliance.
ZeroWork's unique strength is its sophisticated anti-bot detection prevention mechanisms. This capability uses fingerprint obfuscation and proxy support to guarantee secure multi-account automation and scraping. This ensures your TaskBots won't get blocked or banned during high-volume operations. ActivePieces is built for infrastructure reliability and compliance, being officially SOC 2 Type II certified. This confirms its adherence to strict internal security and governance standards. If your automation relies on manipulating external websites, ZeroWork provides necessary stealth features. If you need HIPAA/security assurance for internal data, ActivePieces is certified.
Data Storage
ActivePieces offers a central data hub (Tables); ZeroWork specializes in external data enrichment.
ActivePieces includes a native component called Tables that acts as a central datastore. This Table is deeply connected to your agents and running flows for reliable data access. It functions like a dynamic spreadsheet for your automation system. ZeroWork focuses less on centralized storage and more on acquiring and filtering structured data from the web. It has specific tools to enrich social media profiles and auto-qualify leads during the TaskBot run. Both tools handle data well but in completely different phases of the workflow.
Execution Speed & Limits
ZeroWork guarantees speeds every 5 minutes; ActivePieces limits are based on flow concurrency.
ZeroWork's Business plan provides rapid scheduling, allowing tasks to run as frequently as every five minutes. The platform also promises unlimited runtime and unlimited parallel runs across all paid tiers. This guarantees high-frequency reliability. ActivePieces offers 'unlimited tasks' but limits flow concurrency (50 active flows on Business tier). This means high volume is possible, but complex processes must stay within prescribed flow limits. ZeroWork provides a clearer usage model focused purely on execution speed and bot capacity.
Integration Ecosystem
ActivePieces boasts 434 native pieces; ZeroWork relies primarily on API calls and external webhooks.
ActivePieces has a vast, specific library of 434 connected tools, or 'pieces,' available for agent orchestration. These pieces are fully integrated and allow deep access to internal system objects. Developers can also connect external agents using MCPs. ZeroWork integrates mainly through unlimited API calls and webhooks, allowing triggers from Zapier, Make, and Pabbly. While flexible, ZeroWork intentionally lacks the sprawling native connectors of ActivePieces. ActivePieces is the clear winner for organizations that need deep connections across a wide range of specialized business apps.
Pricing Value
ZeroWork is significantly more affordable for high-volume RPA; ActivePieces gets expensive at the top tier.
ZeroWork's top non-custom Business tier is $75/month, offering unlimited TaskBots and 5-minute scheduling. This represents exceptional value for high-frequency web automation needs. ActivePieces starts with a great $0 Free plan (1,000 tasks/mo) and a strong $25 Plus plan (10 active flows). However, ActivePieces' Business plan is $150/month for 50 active flows and 5 users. ZeroWork offers better scaling value for maximizing task volume and speed without flow limits. ZeroWork wins on sheer capacity-to-cost ratio.
Our Verdict
The decision between ActivePieces and ZeroWork depends entirely on where your automation lives. ActivePieces is the superior choice for building sophisticated, reliable backend systems and AI Agents. ZeroWork is the absolute king of secure, high-frequency web automation and RPA. ActivePieces’s superpower is its deep, integrated ecosystem and enterprise governance features. It lets you build powerful AI Agents that can access and use 434 different internal business applications. For reliable processes, ActivePieces offers critical versioning management and auto retry functionality. ZeroWork’s strength lies in its approachable ease of use combined with technical resilience on the web. Non-coders can quickly build TaskBots to handle complex scraping and data enrichment tasks seamlessly. ZeroWork also provides sophisticated anti-bot detection prevention, vital for secure multi-account operations. The deciding factor is your primary workflow interaction. If you are orchestrating complex internal system logistics and compliance (SOC 2), choose ActivePieces. If your goal is high-speed lead enrichment, secure scraping, or automating tasks on external public websites, ZeroWork provides better value and specialized features. For most RPA tasks, ZeroWork offers higher user satisfaction and capacity for less money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for web scraping: ActivePieces or ZeroWork?
ZeroWork is highly specialized for secure web scraping and data enrichment features. It includes powerful anti-bot detection for reliable, multi-account automation on any website. ActivePieces focuses more on connecting internal apps (434 pieces) and AI orchestration.
Is ActivePieces open-source, and does ZeroWork offer self-hosting?
Yes, ActivePieces is built on an open-source architecture allowing for flexible self-hosting via Docker. ZeroWork does not offer a self-hosted option. ZeroWork requires installing a proprietary desktop agent to run TaskBots locally.
Which platform is easier for users without coding experience: ActivePieces or ZeroWork?
ZeroWork is significantly easier for non-coders due to its intuitive visual drag-and-drop builder. ActivePieces, while offering a no-code canvas, often requires familiarity with complex API logic or custom code insertion for advanced flows.
Does ActivePieces or ZeroWork offer better enterprise compliance and governance?
ActivePieces is explicitly SOC 2 Type II compliant, making it ideal for organizations needing high security standards. ZeroWork offers Enterprise features like custom SLAs and dedicated success managers, but lacks the formal SOC 2 certification.
How frequently can I schedule tasks in ActivePieces vs ZeroWork?
ZeroWork allows professional users to schedule tasks as fast as every five minutes on its Business plan. ActivePieces' execution limits are primarily governed by the number of active flows you can run simultaneously (max 50 on Business).
What is the key difference in AI capabilities between ActivePieces and ZeroWork?
ActivePieces lets you build true, autonomous AI Agents that access its 434 tools to perform complex actions. ZeroWork integrates AI for specific creative steps within TaskBots, such as generating social media comments or content.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.