Today, the iPaaS segment is a $7.7 billion industry (as per Gartner) demonstrating a double-digit growth rate of 30% – from 2022 to 2023. But the iPaaS marketplace is crowded with many iPaaS vendors – each claiming to offer the best solution for enterprise needs. On top of that, numerous iPaaS vendor comparison studies show varied results.
The purpose of this article is to cut through the marketing noise and objectively analyze the positives and negatives of leading iPaaS solutions in the market today. Whether you are integrating a CRM with your ecommerce platform, or perhaps adding analytics capabilities with your ERP, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of specific iPaaS platforms is crucial in making the right purchase decision.
Let’s examine the key capabilities of these platforms, including integration capabilities, implementation complexity, scalability, security features, and more. A thorough iPaaS vendor comparison will help you identify the solution that aligns with your business needs and can address all your pain points.
Understanding Modern iPaaS Requirements
Businesses today literally run on multiple complex systems, Gone are the “glory days” of COBOL when monolithic architecture dictated predictable and rigid workflow, when business process infrastructure had few – if not zero – disjointed systems. Today’s businesses are juggling dozens of SaaS applications, dealing with massive data volumes, and racing to keep up with real-time demands. iPaaS acts as a viable solution to this chaos.
Let’s talk about what modern businesses require from iPaaS providers:
Modern iPaaS architecture needs to be ready for:
- Hybrid and multi cloud systems. Let’s face it: businesses hate to be locked in.
- Visual – low-code – process automations with ready to use templates ensuring a democratized way of integrating SaaS applications.
- A collaborative development environment that supports both low-code tools and SDK-based customization for complex scenarios
- Real-time data processing and instantaneous automation.
For enterprises, specifically, there are some non-negotiable expectations from modern iPaaS systems. Military-grade security is the foremost priority. Businesses rely on SaaS apps to manage, process and store sensitive customer, and enterprise data. An iPaaS vendor must take security seriously. Secondly, modern iPaaS solutions must be able to integrate not-so-modern legacy systems as well! Because legacy businesses won’t be able to switch to a shiny new system just like that.
All these capabilities need to work together smoothly while being simple enough for business users to handle. It’s not just about connecting A to B anymore – it’s about building a living, breathing integration ecosystem that can evolve with your business.
Top iPaaS Vendors in the United States and Globally
Let’s delve deeper and explore the major SaaS integration platforms that are trusted by businesses and used extensively…
APPSeCONNECT
APPSeCONNECT stands out in the SaaS integration sphere with its focus on being useful to both developers and business-users. The platform establishes a synergy between low-code integration workflow creation and SDK-based complex (and custom) workflow orchestration. The platform enables users to connect almost all the major e-commerce platforms with CRM and ERP platforms. But where it really excels is how far it can go to provide a no-code integration solution, even for custom integrations. The hybrid integration approach of APPSeCONNECT ensures businesses can maintain data sovereignty while leveraging cloud capabilities, addressing a crucial concern for enterprise customers.
The platform revolves around a “Build, Share, Collaborate” framework, offering key features:
- ProcessFlow: What if there are no built-in connectors for your custom integration? Do you need to make sense of complex codes? No. APPSeCONNECT offers an intuitive process flow creation platform where business users – with just drag and drop – can build complex automation workflows.
- Development Environment: Users can leverage pre-built templates while still having the flexibility to add custom code when needed.
- Security Features: With API security, encrypted data at rest and in-transit, and usage of advanced security posture in Microsoft Azure, APPSeCONNECT provides the highest level of data security.
- Smart Automation: The platform incorporates intelligent features like auto-mapping suggestions, real-time tracking, and automated error handling to streamline the integration process.
- Scalability: The platform can grow as the business grows. The platform supports easy installation on cloud platforms making it intrinsically scalable.
A good software requires an even better team of engineers to deploy it efficiently and on-time. APPSeCONNECT boasts of a team of knowledgeable and KPI-focused implementation team as if evident from the reviews on their 4.4 rated G2 profile:
Zapier
Businesses that prefer simpler, straightforward automation workflows opt for Zapier. And this is why, Zapier is popular among small and medium businesses. Their user interface emphasizes simplicity, making it accessible for users who are just starting with automation. However, when organizations begin scaling their integration needs or requiring more sophisticated workflows, they might find themselves needing additional capabilities that extend beyond basic automation.
So, should you opt for Zapier or APPSeCONNECT? Read a detailed comparison here.
Workato
Workato is a simple automation platform providing if-this-then-that scenario-based automations. Its USP lies in the sheer number of pre-built connectors available to be used at once. The platform offers a straightforward approach to coding and automation. However, sometimes this focus on being straightforward comes at the expense of being unable to remain flexible.
Which is More Value for Money: APSSeCONNECT Vs Workato
Celigo
Celigo is best for businesses that rely entirely on cloud-based SaaS solutions. Sometimes, opting for feature-rich iPaaS solutions can turn out to be overkill. Small businesses love the simplicity of Celigo. However, its strength is also its weakness. If you want to make Celigo do something that it can’t do out of the box, it will be very difficult for the platform to rise up to your expectations.
Celigo Is the Exact Opposite of APPSeCONNECT. Get a detailed feature comparison here.
Jitterbit
Jitterbit is yet another iPaaS platform. It markets itself as an AI-powered solution where you can design and integrate complex automation workflows. It has more of a Do It Yourself approach in creating workflows which is good for developers but bad for business owners.
Jitterbit Vs APPSeCONNECT: It’s a battle of the Titans
APPSeCONNECT Vs Zapier Vs Workato Vs Celigo Vs Jitterbit
Let’s now cut to the chase. Which of these 5 is the best? Let’s start our iPaaS vendor comparison and find out! Remember, though, that what’s best for my business might not be best for your business. We have given a list of evaluation criteria to help you choose the best iPaaS platform objectively based on your needs.
iPaaS Vendors Comparison – At a Glance
Let’s now delve deeper and explore the features of these 5 iPaaS solutions against some key criteria
Comparing iPaaS Vendors Against Specific Criteria
● Criteria: Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Systems
APPSeCONNECT stands out as the iPaaS platform, offering a true hybrid deployment approach. The platform can seamlessly work on both on-prem and in the cloud. APPSeCONNECT’s architecture emphasizes granular control over data sovereignty while maintaining cloud flexibility.
Workato takes a different path using agent-based hybrid capabilities. It works great when the data volume is low. However, since all data must pass through the agent, increased data volume might introduce latency.
Celigo does support hybrid cloud architecture, but it is optimized for Netsuite-centric businesses. Those requiring to integrate a diverse array of SaaS apps might find Celigi limiting. Jitterbit offers a private agent network for hybrid deployments, but its implementation often requires significant technical expertise to configure and maintain optimal performance across different environments.
Zapier’s cloud-focused approach reflects its core mission of simplified integration.
Verdict: Organizations need to prioritize data sovereignty and flexible deployment options for compliance and data safety. In this respect, APSSeConnect – with its true hybrid deployment approach – is a clear winner.
● Criteria: Visual Development Capabilities
APPSeCONNECT offers a visual workflow automation builder – ProcessFlow. This builder doesn’t assume that the user is a child (read: novice). Rather, it treats the users as people who have knowledge of business logic. At the same time, it doesn’t assume that the user would be able to visualize all the logic in his or her head. That’s why it has a flexible and free-flowing graphical business flow builder.
Workato’s recipe-based approach, while organized, can feel constraining when dealing with complex scenarios.
Celigo’s integration builder seems to target primarily NetSuite users, with their visual tools optimized for NetSuite-centric workflows but showing limitations with other enterprise systems.
Jitterbit’s visual interface, though comprehensive, often necessitates technical expertise even for basic workflows, making it less accessible for business users looking to implement sophisticated logic.
Verdict: For businesses with simple, straightforward needs Workato and Zapier are the best fit. However, businesses dealing with complex logic and requiring custom workflow and extensive mapping of data, APPSeCONNECT is the best fit.
● Criteria: Development Environment Philosophy
In APPSeConnect, the combination of ProcessFlow – the visual workflow builder – and the IDE-based development of processes make it accessible to both developers and business users.
Workato and Celigo interpret this collaboration differently, while Jitterbit leans toward technical users. Zapier maintains its focus on business user accessibility.
Verdict: For businesses requiring if-then scenario-based process automation, any of the mentioned tools will work. However, for businesses that require complex automations and mapping, APPSeCONNCT is the better choice.
● Criteria: Real-Time Processing Capabilities
APPSeCONNECT boasts of event-driven processing with latency spanning even less than a second. This is exactly why it is the first choice for businesses intending to connect ERP with their ecommerce platforms. The platform further ties its integration capability with its error-handling prowess.
Workato is good at event-based triggers. But when the number of transactions reaches its peak, it starts showing latency issues. Celigio doesn’t suffer from latency issues, but it’s real time
Processing capabilities are more tied with Netsuite.
Jitterbit does offer real-time processing, but its DIY nature means you have to tweak it manually by adding error-handling capability. It also suffers from resource constraints due to its approach towards concurrent processing.
Verdict: For organizations handling critical business processes like inventory synchronization or order processing, APPSeCONNECT’s event-driven architecture with built-in resilience mechanisms provides the reliability needed for enterprise-scale real-time operations combined with sophisticated error recovery systems.
● Criteria: Prebuilt Connector-Ecosystem
All 5 of these platforms offer huge connector ecosystems. In terms of using these pre-built connectors – without any tweaks – we see a similar kind of performance.
● Criteria: Scalability
APPSeCONNECT boasts of a scalable architecture through intelligent workload distribution. Since it is perfectly compatible with hybrid clouds, scalability never becomes a problem.
Workato’s implementation requires significant upfront recipe building. Performance noticeably degrades during complex data transformations at scale.
Yes, Celigo is capable of quick initial setup, but it quickly becomes a nightmare as and when you require concurrent, high volume processing.
Verdict: Organizations planning for growth while needing immediate productivity might find APPSeCONNECT’s balanced approach to implementation and scalability particularly attractive.
Critical Evaluation Criteria for iPaaS Comparison
Here’s the real deal: Evaluating potential iPaaS solutions isn’t just about checking off feature boxes. The evaluation criteria should take the specific pain points and needs into account. Here are the crucial things that you should scrutinize:
Integration Capabilities and Connector Ecosystem
Integration capabilities are the primary selling point of any iPaaS system. However, every marketing material of every such solution will promise you hundreds of pre-built connectors. What matters is whether they have deep, sophisticated integrations for the specific systems your business uses. This can only be possible if the iPaaS solution allows custom integration workflows to be built.
Implementation Complexity and Time-to-Value
You need to evaluate not just the initial setup, but the whole journey. How intuitive is the mapping interface? Does the platform offer pre-built integration templates for common scenarios? What about error handling? You have to ask these questions before zeroing-in on a platform. Also, watch out for platforms that sacrifice flexibility for simplicity.
Scalability and Performance
Your business is in a constant growth phase. Why should your iPaaS platform be any different? Look for platforms that offer elastic scaling capabilities and can handle sudden spikes in transaction volumes.
Security & Compliance
Sure every iPaaS solution offers “military-grade” security. But how does it handle data residency? What kind of audit trails and compliance reports does it provide? Does it support role based access control? How does it store and manage API secrets? You need to ask these questions.
Conclusion:
As you can see, various iPaaS solutions have been created with different kinds of businesses in mind. iPaaS vendors like Zapier excel at straightforward automation, providing value for money. On the other hand, if you work with NetSuite, Celigo should be your iPaaS of choice. However, APPSeCONNECT emerges as the most versatile solution by combining true hybrid deployment capabilities, sophisticated real-time processing, and the flexibility to handle both basic and complex integration scenarios through its unique ProcessFlow visual builder and IDE environment.
