# Ballet vs Zapier | when Zaps aren’t enough

> Canonical: https://ballet.dev/vs/zapier

Zapier is perfect for simple triggers. When a workflow spans five systems or needs deterministic accuracy, Ballet takes over, writing the integration as reviewable code.

When Zaps aren't enough.

Zapier is perfect for simple triggers. The moment a workflow spans five systems, needs deterministic accuracy, or hits an app Zapier doesn't support, Ballet takes over, writing the integration as reviewable code.

## Side by side

| | Ballet | Zapier |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Approach | Workflows + agents, written as code | Trigger → action Zaps |
| New integration | Generated on demand against any API | Limited to supported apps |
| Complex multi-system work | Built for it | Multi-step Zaps get brittle fast |
| Output when it matters | Deterministic + agentic where it helps | Deterministic, simple logic |
| Breakage | Evals on every step; auto-patched | Zap fails, email alert, manual fix |
| Review & version control | Generated code, version-controlled | Zap editor, no real code |
| Best fit | Business-critical, multi-system workflows | Lightweight task automation |

## Past simple triggers, into the work that actually breaks.

### Five systems, one workflow

Account closures, off-boarding, billing changes: the resolutions that span Salesforce, Stripe, Okta, your ERP and more. Ballet runs them as one reviewable workflow, not a chain of fragile Zaps.

### Deterministic where it counts

Zapier is fine for simple logic. Ballet runs 100% deterministic code on the steps that must be exact, with agentic reasoning only where it helps.

### Any app, written on demand

No Zap for it? Ballet writes the integration against any API in seconds, including internal and legacy systems Zapier will never support.


## Ballet vs Zapier, answered.

### Should we drop Zapier?

No. Keep Zapier for lightweight task automation. Bring Ballet in for the multi-system, business-critical workflows that Zaps can't handle reliably.

### Why not just build a big multi-step Zap?

Multi-step Zaps get brittle and hard to audit fast. Ballet generates version-controlled code with evals on every step, so it holds up in production.

### Does it support apps Zapier doesn't?

Yes. Ballet writes the integration on demand against any system with an API, including internal ERPs and legacy tools.

### Is it harder to set up than a Zap?

You describe the workflow in plain English and Ballet writes it. Most design-partner workflows ship within two weeks; the first one in a 30-minute session.

## Next step

We'll turn your most painful Zap into a Ballet workflow, live.

[Book a workflow review](https://ballet.dev/signup)