7 Best Integration Platforms in 2021
Tags: integrations, ipaas, saas, api
Published: 2021-11-17 16:14:12

---
title: 7 Best Integration Platforms in 2021 
published: true
description: There are different integration solutions for different needs, and this blog post will explore 7 different integration platforms following 8 criteria
tags: integrations, ipaas, saas, api
cover_image: https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/4fzeht1jh2mqhfg4agj9.png
---

An average mid-size company uses around 140 unique apps. A small business uses around 100, and a large enterprise uses around 290 [SaaS products across their business](https://www.blissfully.com/saas-trends/2020-annual-report/#). Just think about it, how many apps do you use per day? Well, companies use a lot more to keep their business running. 

**The great majority of those apps don't make sense in isolation.** Just like you prefer Google Docs notifications delivered to you right inside Slack, it's better for companies of all sizes to have their apps integrated or 'talking to each other.' The integration of apps enables the whole to be greater than the sum of its parts, and every app is carefully considered as part of a bigger business strategy.

Even though the number of unique apps used by companies is quite large, at the same time, **companies are churning through more than 30% of their apps every year**. So if you have a SaaS product, you should probably think about integrating it with existing apps because it's easier for companies to stop using your product if it's not a fundamental part of their business strategy and if they are not integrated with other apps.

Integration platforms or iPaaS, help you solve the problem of integrating apps so you can maintain your focus on your SaaS company. Some of them are great if you want to connect two apps, others if you want a customizable integration and multiple tenants, and others for people that prefer no-code integration. There are different integration solutions for different needs, and this blog post will explore 7 different integration platforms following 8 criteria:

1. Code / no-code integration
2. Flexibility and customization of the integration
3. Cloud (private or public) / on-premise integration 
4. User profile
5. Customer support, documentation, and training
6. SaaS Embedding
7. Pricing
8. Number of applications supported

**The integration platforms are not ranked in a specific order.**

![Integration Platform Comparison](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/7uoqppc0a41qr8up8as6.png) 
# Dell Boomi

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/4252u9nfy5df3v9x5p0h.png) 

**No-code integration**

[Dell Boomi](https://boomi.com/) is a cloud-native data integration platform that streamlines integration in complex hybrid cloud ecosystems and removes silos in organizations. The user-friendly interface is backed by intelligent recommendations to provide an end-to-end data integration experience. 

Dell Boomi is developer-friendly and offers a graphical user interface. No-code and low-code integration is available.

**Flexibility and customization of the integration**
Is not as flexible a code-first solution, but it provides a comprehensive library of connectors, coupled with support for various integration patterns that enable you to build many integrations.

**Cloud / on-premise integration**

You can integrate any combination of On-Premises, Cloud, and SaaS applications or data sources.

**SaaS Embedding**

Boomi offers [embedded solution](https://boomi.com/partners/oem-embedded-partners/#/e02e31), for software companies that are looking to integrate with their customers' applications.

They also have standalone solutions.

**Pricing**

[There are 5 tiers](https://boomi.com/compare/):
- Base: including standard features and support
- Professional: Base + Allows multiple environments (prod/test) and advanced workflows
- Pro Plus: Professional + includes services enablement
- Enterprise: Pro Plus + atom worker, parallel processing, and advanced security
- Enterprise Plus: Enterprise + message queuing, 15 standard connectors, and 2 enterprise connectors.

**User profile**

Boomi is mainly for non-technical people, but their low-code solution can be used by technical people as well.

**Customer support, documentation, and training**

You can get in touch with the [contact form](https://boomi.com/company/contact/), the [Boomi community](https://community.boomi.com/s/) and [help and documentation](https://help.boomi.com/) page.

**Number of applications supported**

Dell Boomi comes with 1,500 built-in endpoint connections to automate many common integrations and reduce your time on creating customized connections. Other features included in this platform include API management, data discovery, and data quality governance.

# Zapier

![Zapier integration](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/s8gcq0wfejumi4yug36c.png)
 
[Zapier](https://zapier.com/) allows you to connect your apps and easily automate workflows. Anyone can build workflows with a few clicks, and it lets you automatically move info between your web apps.

**No-code integration**

You don't have to write code to integrate applications. You can solve problems fast with templates. You can add multiple steps and workflow logic through their drag and drop interface.

**Flexibility and customization of the integration**

You can tweak a template (called a zap) or start from scratch. Tailor automated solutions to your team's needs by adding multiple steps and workflow logic. Zapier falls short when it comes to flexibility and customization since you can only work with what they already have. No-code solutions are generally more rigid than code solutions. 

**Cloud / on-premise integration** 

Zapier works exclusively in the cloud.

**User profile**

Zapier is built for non-technical users, including marketers and managers.

**Customer support, documentation, and training**

You can receive support through the [help center](https://zapier.com/help), [hiring an expert](https://zapier.com/experts) or in their [community](https://community.zapier.com/). You can also read their [docs](https://platform.zapier.com/docs/zapier-intro) for more information.

**SaaS Embedding**

You can [embed links to zaps in your product](https://platform.zapier.com/embed/overview), helping your customers discover available integrations within your product, however customers are always redirected to Zapier to use and modify them.

**Pricing**

[There are 3 tiers](https://zapier.com/pricing): 
- Free: with 5 Zaps and 100 tasks/mo
- Starter: 29.99 USD/mo or 19.99 billed annually for 20 Zaps and 750 Tasks
- Professional: 49 USD/mo, unlimited zaps, and 2K task/mo

**Number of applications supported**

+ 3000, including Google Sheets, Slack, Mailchimp, Trello, Gmail, and others.

# MuleSoft

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/7jemsupebh8u0fz88gz7.png)
 
[MuleSoft](https://www.mulesoft.com/) is a developer-friendly platform to empower IT and business teams to create seamless digital experiences, products, and services with their platform for integration, APIs, and automation.

**No-code integration**

Mulesoft offers a code-based and no-code solution for its customers. 

**Flexibility and customization of the integration**

MuleSoft could be very flexible, but to get the maximum advantage of the platform, you would probably have to hire a skilled MuleSoft engineer or consultant since the platform has a fairly high barrier to entry and requires training, certification, and substantial experience to use.

Also, MuleSoft has a long implementation time, and [it can take between one and six months](https://www.xplenty.com/blog/mulesoft-vs-xplenty-comparison-and-review/) of preparation before fully implementing the MuleSoft integration strategy. 

**Cloud / on-premise integration**

You can run MuleSoft on-premise and on the cloud.

**User profile**

MuleSoft is designed primarily for use by developers and IT specialists.

**Customer support, documentation, and training**

You can contact sales, help center and Newsroom [here](https://www.mulesoft.com/contact), and also you can read the [documentation](https://docs.mulesoft.com/general/) for more information.

**SaaS Embedding**

Mule runtime can be used to deploy applications in a [standalone way](https://docs.mulesoft.com/mule-runtime/3.9/deployment-scenarios), however this leaves a lot of work to the developer in terms of determining how to surface these integrations to end-users.

**Pricing**

MuleSoft is one of the most expensive solutions on the market today. In fact, many enterprises are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars a year on the MuleSoft Anypoint Platform, and some are even spending millions. According to the price-tracking website ITQlik, MuleSoft pricing starts at approximately $80,000 a year. However, the price that most of their enterprise customers pay is closer to $250,000 a year. 

**Number of applications supported**

[+500 connectors](https://www.mulesoft.com/exchange/?type=connector).

# Tray.io

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/304ia9hin3lmhwwjh8io.png) 

With [Tray.io](https://tray.io/) you can quickly integrate your software applications using powerful automated workflows. Easily build and streamline processes using their visual workflow editor.

**Low code and no-code integration**

Tray.io offers low-code and no-code solutions. You can create integrations with their drag-and-drop interface.

**Flexibility and customization of the integration**

Tray.io is flexible and allows you to grab the most data from any service with ease. You can have full API access - including custom fields and connect to any SaaS app with their universal connector.

Their drag-and-drop interface is user-friendly, but it doesn't allow the level of flexibility that a code-first solution can provide. Adding a new first-class connector needs to be done by the Tray.io team and can frequently take a long time if the connector is not already on Tray’s roadmap.

They have universal connectors like HTTP client connector, GraphQL connector, connectors for common databases, JDBC connector, CSV Editor, S/FTP, and universal triggers like webhooks, email, form.

**Cloud / on-premise integration**

Works on the cloud, it doesn't run on-premise but it has a mechanism to connect to on-premise systems for a custom enterprise quote.  

**User profile**

Since it is low-code and no-code, Tray.io can be used by technical and non-technical customers.

**Customer support, documentation, and training**

You can get in contact with them [here](https://tray.io/lp/get/contact), use the chat and to learn more about the platform you can read the [developer docs](https://tray.io/documentation/). 

**SaaS Embedding**

You can get [Tray.io Embedded](https://tray.io/solutions/embedded) and deliver the integrations that your customers are asking for, without needing engineering to maintain them.

**Pricing**

[You can choose between 4 tiers](https://tray.io/products/platform/pricing):
- Standard: $695/mo 
- Standard Plus: $1,450/mo
- Professional: $2,450/mo
- Enterprise: Custom Pricing

**Number of applications supported**

+100 connectors, including Salesforce, NetSuite, Snowflake, Slack, Shopify, Zoom, and others.

# Celigo

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/lif9p8p314pwfw1kx5gm.png)
 
**Code / no-code integration**

[Celigo](https://www.celigo.com/) is a platform designed to integrate data into cloud applications and automate key parts of this process. This platform comes with a user-friendly guided interface and data flow templates for no-code integration. Non-technical users will find it easy to take a template and build on it with business logic. Technical users have the option of using JavaScript scripts, webhook, HTTP, REST API, FTP, hooks, wrappers, API tokens, and debuggers to develop automation flows that are customized to your organization.

Celigo has an intuitive design and hundreds of pre-built connectors. It makes it possible for technical and non-technical users to build and maintain automation and integrations themselves. You can use templates or create your application from scratch.

**Flexibility and customization of the integration**

Since it provides code and no-code solutions, Celigo gives a lot of flexibility to their customers and the possibility of customization of their integration.

**Cloud / on-premise integration**

You can use Celigo on both on-premise and on the cloud. [An on-premise agent](https://docs.celigo.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004081771-Integrate-data-through-firewall-with-on-premise-agent) is a Windows software program that runs on your server, typically behind the firewall and within the same network as the systems you want to connect to. It establishes a secure tunnel to connect to integrator.io. You can connect to on-premise apps, but Celigo itself doesn’t run on premise. 

**User profile**

Technical and non-technical users.

**Customer support, documentation, and training**
 
You can find here the [developer docs](https://docs.celigo.com/hc/en-us/categories/360002687531-Developers), get in contact with them through [this form](https://www.celigo.com/company/contact-us/), or use the chat in [their webpage](https://www.celigo.com/).

**SaaS Embedding**

You can have [embedded integrations](https://www.celigo.com/embedded-integrations/) with Celigo, as well as standalone integrations.

**Pricing**

You can choose between 4 tiers:
- Standard: $7,200/yr with 3 endpoint apps and 16 flows
- Professional: $18,000/yr with 5 endpoint apps and 100 flows
- Premium: $36,000/yr with 10 endpoint apps and unlimited flows
- Enterprise: $72,000/yr with 20 endpoint apps and unlimited flows

**Number of applications supported**

+100
 
# Jitterbit

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/mte1a8ojcx2x2yu6bzmh.jpeg)

[Jitterbit](https://www.jitterbit.com/) is an API integration platform designed to streamline the connection of cloud, on-premise, and SaaS applications. It also offers a way to add Artificial Intelligence technology into your applications and combine them in innovative ways to create new solutions. AI options include real-time language translation, a recommendation engine, and speech recognition.

**No-code integration**

You can quickly create new APIs or connect with external ones through an extensive library of pre-built templates and workflows. If the pre-built templates don't cover your needs, you can use a point-and-click graphical interface to create your own integrations and templates. Jitterbit only offers no-code integration.

**Flexibility and customization of the integration**

Jitterbit offers a degree of flexibility and customization through its point-and-click graphical interface, but it doesn't provide the flexibility a code platform can offer.

**Cloud / on-premise integration**

Jitterbit supports on-premise, cloud, and hybrid cloud deployment and both real-time and batch processing operations.

**User profile**

Jitterbit was built for non-technical people.

**Support, documentation, and training**

Jitterbit provides support via an online [forum-based community](https://community.jitterbit.com/s/) and via [online form submission](https://info.jitterbit.com/contact.html). [Documentation is comprehensive](https://success.jitterbit.com/display/DOC/Getting+Started). Digital training materials are available.

**SaaS Embedding**

Jitterbit only offers standalone applications. 

**Pricing**

You can choose between [three tiers](https://www.jitterbit.com/platform/pricing/), the prices are not transparent, you will have to contact them to get more information.
- Standard: 2-3 connections
- Professional: 5 connections
- Enterprise: 8 or more connections 

**Number of applications supported**

+100


# Fusebit

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/dqnb7hfyc6y4snm1se94.png)
 
[Fusebit](https://fusebit.io/?utm_source=dev.to&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=post-7-best&utm_content=liz) is a powerful integration platform that allows you to build integrations for your SaaS applications in minutes. It’s code-first and you can create connectors, code your logic, deploy your integration, and reduce integration engineering cost by 7x. Fusebit takes away the pain of developing against many disparate APIs while maintaining the flexibility and familiarity of a code-first platform.

**Code-first solution**
 
Using a no-code solution to create an integration sounds good on the surface, but usually, those integrations don't do exactly what your customers want, due to limitations in the visual authoring model. The Fusebit platform allows you to create flexible integrations that your customers will love, with full support for Node.js and the npm package ecosystem

Fusebit was built for developers by developers to let you focus your time on the core integration logic while Fusebit takes the boilerplate off your plate. Our robust multi-tenant runtime keeps your customer data secure, while embeddable white-label configuration and lifecycle management components make you substantially more productive. 

**Flexibility and customization of the integration**

Because of its code-first solution, Fusebit is highly flexible and allows you to create powerful integrations that fulfill all your customer's requirements. Working with other platforms, you might encounter a functionality cliff you can’t get past, since there are specific integrations that can only be achieved through code. Fusebit is flexible enough that you will never find yourself in that situation.

**Cloud / on-premise integration** 

Fusebit works on the cloud and it can be deployed to a customer's AWS cloud instance if required (known as private cloud), which gives businesses many of the benefits of a public cloud - including self-service, scalability, and elasticity - with the additional data privacy and compliance controls enabled by dedicated resources.

**User profile**

Fusebit was built for developers, but uses accessible JavaScript to make it possible for anybody technical to use it, regardless of role

**Customer support, documentation, and training**

You can find support on the chat in the webpage, in the [developer documentation](https://developer.fusebit.io/docs), in [slack, discord](https://fusebit.io/contact/) and contact@fusebit.io email.

**SaaS Embedding**

Fusebit is the only iPaaS that's purely for embedded use cases.

**Pricing**

[There are 3 tiers](https://fusebit.io/pricing/): 
- Developer: Free forever and 10 connectors
- Team: $199/mo and 30 connectors
- Business: Custom pricing

**Number of applications supported**

Fusebit supports Slack, HubSpot, Salesforce, GitHub, Linear, Jira, Confluence, PagerDuty among others, and tens of new connectors are added monthly. Fusebit is an open model, meaning that you can create and add your own connector [in this repository](https://github.com/fusebit/integrations).

### Integrations Platforms Chart
Finally, you can check the chart below where you can find where the platforms are located taking into account: developer-friendly, no-code solution, embedded and standalone:

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ay9cotn59gewek035sgd.png)

# What do you think?

What is your favorite integration platform? [Tell us what you think](https://twitter.com/fusebitio) about the platforms here or let us know if we are missing one.