So, you are looking for Cyclr’s competitors? It’s okay, we won’t take it to heart, we only want what is best for you and your SaaS.
We know that we are not the only solution out there which is why we’ve compiled this post comparing Cyclr’s competition so you can make an informed decision when choosing an API integration tool.
We don’t really like this type of discussion and are bemused by many ‘competitor comparison’ pages. While we don’t happily engage in that approach – we are happy to talk about those platforms here that we think merit discussion.
But first, as you’re here.
Cyclr – Why there is really no competition!
Cyclr is typically used by enterprise-level SaaS and software companies that already have an eco-system of integrations that they are looking to extend, optimise, control or standardise. Our embedded iPaaS is designed for growth/scale businesses and our toolkit is designed to handle complexity. Our customers typically range from 50+ employees up to the NASDAQ level. If you are a new Start-Up or have very simple integration requirements then other products may be better suited to you.
We deploy a low-code methodology but are proud of the rich function that Cyclr also makes available to you (we know you will need this).
We were the first to market with our embedded iPaaS and have an enviable level of very focused domain-level experience.
Features of our API Integration Platform
- A library of over 500 pre-built API connectors that we fully manage and maintain (not you). This means we are continuously adding, extending, and updating our library. We manage the Connectors, you focus on adding features to your core platform.
- Low code tools with rich additional functionality to help you handle the unique edge cases that you will undoubtedly have.
- The platform is completely white-labelled. We enable you to connect to third-party applications on behalf of your clients – there is none of the ‘Cyclr wants to connect to……’ or ‘Please get your customer to sign up to a Cyclr account’ approach that you might see with some of the competition. Cyclr is invisible.
- We understand your hosting and scalability needs, both now and in the future. We provide scalable self-hosted options via our Shared Hosting environments which are affordable, scalable and secure. Alternatively, Private Cloud if you’re looking for more control over your data processing and customisable scalable architecture for higher data volumes.
- Cyclr is SOC2 Type II accredited and GDPR compliant and as an organisation, we take data security and compliance very seriously. We regularly undertake both external and internal assessments of our processes and procedures.
How much does Cyclr cost?
Want to know? Check out our pricing page for a public price list for our standard plans. We see no need to hide pricing. Either you have the budget for, and understand the benefit of, an embedded iPaaS or you don’t. No need to speak to a salesperson and get into the ‘pipeline’ just to understand potential costs.
Want something Private Cloud? Okay then you will need to speak to us and we will rapidly provide a quote based upon your specific needs.
All Cyclr plans include:
- Unlimited integration workflows
- Unlimited users
Many of our competitor price plans become a ‘tax on your revenue’ as they grow in line with your user and/or integration flow growth. Start low, finish high. Our pricing is designed to be predictable and separated from your own growth from day one. We have a base price plan for the software licence and then charge per Connector used (subscribe once, use multiple times). If you are in our shared plans there is also an inclusive API call allowance and a simple excess charge if you exceed.
Still not convinced? Then here is a list of our peers that we respect
Tray.io
Tray.io is an API integration platform targeted at citizen automators. Essentially, it allows anyone to integrate, automate, and innovate. It is a platform encouraging growth and empowering your workforce to bring all data to the forefront and no developer resources are required.
We like Tray.io and think that their traditional iPaaS is excellent. However, embedded iPaaS is a more recent proposition for Tray.io.
Most notable Tray features:
- API
- Drag & Drop
- Graphical Workflow Editor
- Template Management
How does Cyclr compare?
Tray.io is first and foremost an iPaaS, which means it is an API integration platform originally designed to integrate an organisation’s internal business processes rather than expand its native product integrations for the organisation’s customers. Cyclr is, and always has been a pure focussed embedded iPaaS – our focus and experience is borne-out in our product function and capabilities.
Cyclr is fully white-labelled and enables your application to connect to third-party applications. An example of this is that we understand that tray.io is visible in the connections/permissions process.
Tray’s Pricing
Tray.io’s (undisclosed) pricing seems to be based on the volume of integrations, which can result in escalating costs. For example, if you want a smaller number of connectors but widely distribute them to your customers, with multiple workflows per customer it can result in higher integration volumes.
Therefore, we must stress the importance of understanding the goals you want to achieve and your ambitions for the rollout. As well as understanding pricing models prior to signup to avoid paying more than you need, or being caught out by pricing hikes due to increased volume of integrations.
Where is Tray.io better than Cyclr?
They are undoubtedly a bigger organisation and there is no doubt they have more resources. But, it’s a big BUT, that also means you are a small cog in a very big machine.
The benefit of Cyclr is that we are small enough to care and big enough to cope. As a result, you will get more say and more attention.
Workato
Workato is an award-winning cloud automation and API integration platform with enterprise-grade capabilities. The solution integrates with over 1,000 business applications and enables workflow automation across all those apps.
Like Tray.io we think that their end-user iPaaS solution is excellent. Again, like Tray.io, their embedded iPaaS proposition is much newer.
Most notable Workato features
- API
- Activity Tracker
- Business Process Automation
- Calendar Management
- Collaboration Tools
- Customisable Fields
- Customisable Forms
- Data Import/Export
- Drag & Drop
- Monitoring
- No-CodeReport/Analytics
- Third-Party Integrations
Workato’s Pricing
Workato’s pricing is not disclosed for either their end-user or their embedded plans. We love the loop you can go in when you begin clicking their ‘show me the pricing’ links.
Joking aside, we understand it is integration-based subscription model pricing. This means it is based on integration volume, the same as Tray.io. Workato has a reputation for being expensive relative to Cyclr.
How does Cyclr compare to Workato?
Workato is engineered as an iPaaS-first API integration platform, the same as Tray. Whereas Cyclr is a specialist embedded iPaaS and is not reengineered like Workato. This means our API integration platform’s features and functions are superior for embedded use cases.
As well as being embedded first, Cyclr is also fully white-labelled which means you can fully customise the integration experience and be on brand. Your customers won’t even see us in your app, unlike Workato where each of your customers needs to have a Workato account. This means they could be approached to take on their own iPaaS solution with Workato.
Where is Workato better than Cyclr?
Similarly to Tray.io, Workato is a large US organisation which brings scale benefits but also might mean you are a small fish in a very large pond. Their approach may also lack personalisation, or customisation to your specific needs.
Zapier
We don’t really view Zapier as a competition. In fact where requirements are too simple to justify a Cyclr licence we often positively refer clients to Zapier (not sure Zapier know this!). Zapier is an online API automation tool that connects apps and services. The application is designed to connect your apps to automate repetitive tasks without any coding or relying on developers to build integrations.
Zapier is an API integration platform that focuses on integrating an organisation’s internal business processes and can be customised for your role and business. You may use it to provide a pseudo-embedded experience for your customers but you will carry the Zapier branding and your customers will need a Zapier account.
Many of our customers use both Zapier and Cyclr. Cyclr for the higher value/more complex integrations that merit being natively delivered and Zapier for the longer tail/simpler/lower value integrations.
Most notable Zapier features
- API
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Activity Dashboard
- Business Process Automation
- Collaboration Tools
- Data Import/Export
- Email Management
- No-Code
- Real-Time Notifications
- Rules-Based Workflow
- Third-Party Integrations
- Workflow Configuration
Zapier’s Pricing
Zapier has a range of pricing plans for users to choose from, ranging from free to a customisable company plan. It is highly cost effective and provides a great proposition for the price.
How does Cyclr compare to Zapier?
Those who opt for Zapier need to understand that their users will have to have an active role in the API integration management process. Whereas Cyclr removes this active role and keeps things simple for your users.
Cyclr can provide both system-to-system and system-to-user integrations that are dynamic and complex two-way communications between systems, unlike Zapier.
Finally, unlike Zapier, Cyclr is highly scalable and designed to expand with you as you go from a small startup to a large enterprise. A slick, value-add solution that can accelerate the development of your platform integrations.
We have done a much more detailed analysis of Cyclr vs. Zapier to establish not only their difference but also how they could be used to work together.
Where is Zapier better than Cyclr?
As previously mentioned we don’t view Zapier as competition, more complementary to Cyclr. Nevertheless, if you are an early-stage business with simple integration needs then Zapier is a cost-effective way to get you off to the races.
Their branding will however be highly visible and they will not be properly ‘native’ integrations with all the control and relationship benefits that brings.
“If we didn’t have emerging competition in embedded iPaaS then it would be a signal our market wasn’t big enough to be exciting. I am encouraged to see new entrants come into the market as it is a strong signal of potential. I look forward to seeing how new entrants innovate and help lift embedded iPaaS to the next level.
We at Cyclr have our own ideas, especially as the first entrant to the market, but I am not naive enough to think we know everything. I look forward to seeing who will be the winners alongside Cyclr in the years to come.
Fraser Davidson, Cyclr CEO
Celigo
Celigo is an API Integration Platform-as-a-Service (iPaaS) designed to help organisations integrate and connect with multiple third-party systems to automate various business processes across applications.
Most notable Celigo features
- API
- Activity Dashboard
- Accounting Integration
- Application Management
- CRM
- Dashboard
- Data Extraction
- Data Import/Export
- Data Management
- Database Support
- ERP
- ETL
- Email Management
- Integrations Management
- Metadata Management
- Multiple Data Sources
- Sales Management
- Third-Party Integrations
- Web Services
Celigo Pricing
Celigo doesn’t seem to publish their pricing or plan options, we understand it may be based on endpoint applications and flows. Cyclr on the other hand is transparent on pricing for the majority of its plans so you know what you are getting up front.
How does Cyclr compare to Celigo?
Notably the Celigo page detailing the level of embedding is very light. This leads us to believe that their API integration platform’s focus is very much on being a ‘traditional iPaaS’ rather than being an embeddable one. Therefore, if interested, we’d suggest asking what their embedding capabilities are and if you’ll be able to self-serve integrations.
Cyclr, on the other hand, is a built for purpose embedded integration platform, designed from the ground up as such.
Cyclr is able to solve either the most straightforward or the most complex use cases you may have, and you can self-serve integrations.
Where is Celigo better than Cyclr?
In truth, we struggle on this one. They are a larger organisation than Cyclr which will bring the same benefits and disadvantages as we outline with Tray.io and Workato above.
Appmixer
Appmixer is an API integration platform that helps SaaS businesses acquire and retain sophisticated, high-ticket users by providing an embedded iPaaS with a visual workflow automation system that allows the integration of an unlimited number of connectors.
Most notable Appmixer features
- API
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Activity Dashboard
- Activity Tracking
- Alerts/Notifications
- Business Process Management
- Customisable Dashboards
- Customisable Fields
- Customisable Forms
- Data Import/Export
- Drag & Drop
- Graphical Workflow Editor
- No-Code
- Real-Time Data
- Real-Time Notifications
- Reporting/Analytics
- Task Management
- Third-Party Integrations
- Workflow Configuration
Appmixer Pricing
Appmixer has three plan options that are designed to reflect the size or stage of a SaaS. Pricing starts from $699/mo. Appmixer is an affordable platform for younger companies with limited budgets.
How does Cyclr compare to Appmixer?
We like Appmixer and we in particular like their on-premise proposition (which we have no intent of building ourselves). They don’t appear to be a very big organisation, yet have been on the market for a while. This raises the question of how will they support you, especially when direct support is only available for 12 months and is limited to 2 hours per month.
Cyclr on the other hand has hyper focussed deep domain expertise, a broad connectivity platform and has been well battle tested in many scenarios. We have also experienced great growth in the past 2 years, doubling the size of the team. This means we are on hand to provide super incisive support thanks to our robust and experienced support team. We also operate in both North America and Europe meaning we have great support coverage.
Where is AppMixer better than Cyclr?
If you’re a price-sensitive early-stage Start-Up that wants an entry-level platform or you are after an on-premise deployment then AppMixer could be a good bet.
Enough about Cyclr’s competitors, what do actual users think?
Don’t take it from us, take it from our customers:
Force24 saw a dramatic reduction in time spent building new integrations from two to three days to just four hours, an overall time saving of 83%.
Monica Vinader has utilised Cyclr to upskill existing employees and is now able to create ready-to-deploy integrations quicker than outsourcing to their development agency.
Drive Social Media has been able to scale its integration services without having to bother developers and monitor APIs.
So, what are you thinking now?
We know the market is competitive and we know we need to be on our ‘A’ game at all times. The options above all have their place and their pros and cons and we watch them carefully. However, we do not determine our development path based upon what our competition do, we base it on what we know our customers need and want. We believe in many cases Cyclr has lead and others have copied.
Proof is undoubtedly in the pudding. Put us head to head with any competitor and we have every confidence in our ability to impress.
Cyclr is a pure play embedded iPaaS with deep experience and a rich, scalable, platform.
We are ready to start your integration journey!
Get in touch and choose whether you want a demo, a free trial or just ask questions our team are ready and waiting to get your integration journey started!
