Best Relay.app Alternatives in 2026: Compare Automation Platforms

Relay.app focuses on human-in-the-loop automation. You build workflows, insert approval steps, and humans review before actions execute. It's a solid approach when oversight matters.

But the step limits are low, the AI credits add up fast, and the integration ecosystem is smaller than competitors. If Relay isn't the right fit, here's what else works.

Why People Look for Relay.app Alternatives

Three main reasons:

Low step limits. The Professional plan caps at 750 steps/month. Team gets 2,000. High-volume workflows hit limits quickly (see our Relay.app pricing breakdown for real-world costs).

AI credit costs. AI-powered actions consume credits separately. Heavy AI usage means buying add-ons at $19-$149/month.

Smaller ecosystem. Fewer integrations than Zapier (8,000+) or Make (2,000+). Your specific apps might not be supported.

Relay.app Alternatives Comparison Table 2026

For AI-Generated Workflows: Miniloop

Best for: Teams who want AI help with full transparency

Relay focuses on runtime approval. You build workflows, humans approve each execution at designated checkpoints.

Miniloop focuses on upfront transparency. You describe what you want ("enrich these leads with company data"), AI generates Python code, you review the code once, then run it. The approval happens at the code level, not at each execution.

Strengths

• Visible code. Every workflow is Python you can inspect and modify.
• No per-execution approval. Review once, run many times.
• Data processing focus. Built for CSVs, enrichment, transformation.
• Predictable execution. Same input, same output.

Weaknesses

• Not human-in-the-loop. No runtime approval steps.
• Code review required. You should understand what the AI generated.
• Fewer integrations. No pre-built app connectors.

Pricing

Free, $29/mo+

When to choose Miniloop over Relay.app

• You want to review code once, not approve each execution
• Your workflows focus on data processing
• Transparency at the code level is enough (no runtime approval needed)
• You prefer describing outcomes over building step by step

When to skip it

• You need runtime approval at each execution
• Human-in-the-loop oversight is required for compliance
• You want pre-built app integrations
• You prefer visual builders over reviewing code

For Maximum Integrations: Zapier

Best for: Users who need to connect many apps

Zapier's strength is breadth. 8,000+ integrations means almost any app is supported. If your workflows span many different tools, Zapier connects them with minimal friction.

Strengths

• 8,000+ integrations. The largest app library.
• Simple interface. Pick trigger, pick action, done.
• Reliable. Well-tested, predictable automation.
• Multi-step workflows. Chain actions together.

Weaknesses

• AI feels bolted on. Not AI-native like newer platforms.
• Task-based pricing. Costs scale with volume.
• No human-in-the-loop. No native approval workflows.

Pricing

Free tier available. Professional starts at $29.99/month.

When to choose Zapier over Relay.app

• You need to connect lots of different apps
• Human-in-the-loop isn't essential
• You want the largest integration library
• Simplicity matters more than advanced features

For Visual Data Transformation: Make

Best for: Users who need complex data routing at lower cost

Make offers visual building with powerful data transformation. Filters, routers, aggregators, conditional logic. And it starts at $10.59/month versus Relay's $19/month.

Strengths

• 2,000+ integrations. Solid coverage.
• Powerful data handling. Transform, filter, route data visually.
• Lower prices. More capacity per dollar than Relay.
• Operations-based billing. More predictable than step + credit pricing.

Weaknesses

• Learning curve. More complex than Zapier.
• No human-in-the-loop. No native approval workflows.
• Stability concerns. Some users report occasional issues.

Pricing

Starts at $10.59/month for 10,000 operations.

When to choose Make over Relay.app

• Budget matters (Make is cheaper)
• You need complex data transformation
• Human approval workflows aren't required
• You want more operations per dollar

For Self-Hosting: n8n

Best for: Technical teams who want full control

n8n is open-source. Self-host it and run unlimited workflows without per-step pricing. You control everything: data, infrastructure, scaling.

Strengths

• Self-host for free. No execution limits on your infrastructure.
• Open-source. Full code access, modify as needed.
• Powerful. Code nodes, complex workflows, API access.
• Community templates. Lots of pre-built examples.

Weaknesses

• Requires infrastructure. Self-hosting needs engineering resources.
• Steep learning curve. More complex than Relay.
• Bring your own LLMs. AI features require your API keys.

Pricing

Self-hosted is free. Cloud starts at $20/month.

When to choose n8n over Relay.app

• You want unlimited executions through self-hosting
• Data control and privacy are paramount
• You have engineering resources for infrastructure
• Open-source matters to you

For AI-Native Building: Gumloop

Best for: Users who want built-in AI models

Gumloop is a node-based builder with AI models built in. No need to bring your own API keys. You drag nodes, connect them, and build AI-powered workflows.

Strengths

• Built-in AI models. GPT, Claude, etc. included in pricing.
• Subflows. Reusable workflow components.
• Interface feature. Turn workflows into shareable apps.
• AI assistant. Gummie helps build workflows.

Weaknesses

• Learning curve. Node-based building takes time to learn.
• Credit-based pricing. Costs vary by usage complexity.
• Smaller integration library. Fewer app connections.

Pricing

Free tier available. Paid plans start at $37/month.

When to choose Gumloop over Relay.app

• You want AI models built into pricing (no separate API keys)
• Node-based visual building appeals to you
• You want to turn workflows into shareable apps
• AI is central to your workflows

Which Alternative Should You Choose?

"I want to describe what I need and see the code." → Miniloop. AI generates Python workflows you can read and run.

"I need to connect the most apps with minimal friction." → Zapier. 8,000+ integrations, dead simple.

"I need powerful data transformation at lower cost." → Make. More operations per dollar, strong routing features.

"I want to self-host with unlimited executions." → n8n. Open-source, full control.

"I want AI models built into my workflow tool." → Gumloop. Node-based with AI included.

Which Relay.app Alternative Should You Choose?

Relay's human-in-the-loop focus is genuinely useful when you need runtime approval. For regulated industries, customer-facing automation, or high-stakes workflows, that oversight matters.

But if you don't need approval at every execution, the step limits are low, the AI credits add up, and alternatives offer more capacity for less money. The question is whether human-in-the-loop is essential or just nice-to-have.

If it's essential, Relay is purpose-built for it. If not, you're paying a premium for a feature you don't need.

FAQs About Relay.app Alternatives

What's the best free Relay.app alternative?

n8n self-hosted is completely free with unlimited executions. Zapier, Make, and Gumloop all have free tiers: Zapier (100 tasks/month), Make (1,000 operations/month), Gumloop (2,000 credits/month).

Which Relay.app alternative has the most integrations?

Zapier has the most integrations at 8,000+ apps. Make has 2,000+. n8n has 350+. Relay and Gumloop have smaller but growing ecosystems. Miniloop workflows are Python code, so any API is accessible.

Is there an alternative with human-in-the-loop like Relay?

Most automation tools don't have native approval workflows. Relay is purpose-built for human-in-the-loop. Zapier, Make, and n8n require custom workarounds. Miniloop offers transparency at the code level instead of runtime approval. You review the code once rather than approving each execution.

What's the cheapest Relay.app alternative?

Make is cheapest at $10.59/month for 10,000 operations. n8n self-hosted is free (+ infrastructure costs). Zapier starts at $29.99/month. Gumloop starts at $37/month. Relay starts at $19/month.

What's the difference between Relay.app and Miniloop?

Different approaches to human oversight. Relay: runtime approval where humans review each execution at checkpoints. Miniloop: code transparency where you review the generated Python once, then run it repeatedly. Choose Relay for execution-level approval; choose Miniloop for code-level transparency.