Pipedream vs Stepper

Pipedream

Pipedream has stopped being a workflow-automation tool: Workflows takes no new signups and shuts down on 31 March 2027, and the company is now the Workday-owned integration layer for AI agents. For developers who need per-user OAuth, thousands of ready tools and an MCP endpoint without building auth themselves, Connect is a mature option with a free development tier. Anyone looking for a Zapier-style automation builder should look elsewhere.

Pros

• +managed OAuth, token storage and refresh across 3,000+ APIs
• +10,000+ prebuilt actions and triggers, open on GitHub
• +remote MCP server and a proxy for endpoints without a prebuilt tool
• +every feature free in development, no card needed
• +SOC 2 Type 2 and GDPR on all plans, HIPAA and SSO on Business

Cons

• −Workflows, the product many users know Pipedream for, closes on 31 March 2027 with data deleted by 30 April 2027
• −production use starts at $99 a month billed annually, or $150 monthly
• −external users and compute credits are metered on top of the plan fee
• −owned by Workday, so priorities may follow Workday's enterprise customers

Stepper

Stepper's pitch is describing a workflow in plain language instead of wiring nodes by hand, backed by an integration library from an established form-building company rather than a brand-new startup. The free plan's 200 steps a month is workable for light use, but MCP and agent-facing features are new enough that depth compared to established automation platforms is still unproven.

Pros

• +Conversational editor generates automation logic from a plain-language description
• +Connects to more than 480 apps rather than a narrow integration list
• +Free plan (200 steps/month) is usable on its own, not just a trial
• +MCP compatibility lets AI agents trigger or use workflows as tools

Cons

• −Backed by a company (Paperform) primarily known for form-building, not automation, so its track record in this category is newer
• −Credits for AI, email and SMS steps are a separate balance, and workflows that need them pause when it runs out
• −Conversational generation quality on complex, multi-branch workflows wasn't something we could verify hands-on
• −Team plan with collaboration and permissions is still marked as coming soon

Is Pipedream cheaper than Stepper?

On published entry prices, Stepper starts lower — $19/mo against $99/mo for Pipedream. Entry price is the lowest paid plan as we last verified it; what each plan includes differs.

Does Pipedream or Stepper have a free tier?

Both: Pipedream has a free tier, and Stepper has a free tier.

Which has a public API, Pipedream or Stepper?

Both ship a public API, so either can be built on; the fact table above shows the platforms each one runs on.