If you look at automation tools and think they’re complicated, expensive, and only for tech-savvy people with budgets to match, I won’t blame you. Setting these tools up and dealing with all the configurations can be overwhelming for beginners.
However, automation is a genuinely helpful method of dealing with repetitive tasks that eat away at your time. I even automated laundry tracking with AI just to save myself the headache. So if you’re looking to start your automation journey, stop sleeping on this brilliant free automation tool.
What even is Zapier?
A handy, free automation tool sitting right under your nose
Zapier is a web-based automation platform that connects your favorite apps and services to work together seamlessly. When you start using the service, you set up Zaps—triggers that carry out specific actions. It’s a simple “when this happens, do that” logic.
For example, when someone fills out a Google Form on your website (the trigger), you can have Zapier automatically add their information to your mailing list in your email client (the action). The service constantly works in the background, watching for specific events and then taking action the moment they happen.
Zapier is extremely easy to use because it connects all the services you already use and quietly handles the busywork. Need to turn form responses into tasks, log data in Google Sheets, or send instant replies? Zapier can automate that for you.
It can automatically save your Gmail attachments to cloud storage, sync your notes and to-do lists across apps, repost social media content across platforms, alert you when a specific kind of email arrives, track your fitness and expenses, and a personal dashboard, and even automate generating reports by monitoring specific sources for analytics or data.
Think about the repetitive tasks you do every day. Sending the same emails, copying data from one app to another, organizing documents, creating reminders, moving files around, and more. There are plenty of everyday tasks that you can automate using Zapier—the possibilities really are endless.
You don’t need to understand APIs, webhooks, or any other intimidating tech jargon, either. If you can click buttons, fill out forms, and know your way around a graphical interface, you can use Zapier just as well as anyone.
You don’t need a subscription to start automating tasks
No need to spend on basic automation
As you’d probably expect, Zapier has subscription tiers for different levels of functionality. However, the free tier is more than enough for the average person to start automating basic tasks.
Zapier’s free tier isn’t some stripped-down demo that exists just to make you upgrade. You get 100 tasks per month and can create unlimited Zaps. Each Zap can handle two-step automation consisting of a trigger and an action.
You also get access to Zapier’s AI features through their Copilot system. The AI-based automations help you create specific Zaps by understanding what you’re trying to accomplish.
The only downside is that the platform checks for triggers every 15 minutes. Now that’s plenty fast for personal automation, but if you need more frequent monitoring, you might want to consider Zapier’s Professional, Team, or Enterprise plans, which bring this down to one or two minutes.
Getting started is ridiculously easy
Create no-code automation in minutes
The barrier to entry is almost non-existent. Head over to the Zapier website, sign up with an account if you haven’t already, and you’re good to go. The service automatically suggests templates for everything from email management, social media posting, CRM updates, project management, and more. You can easily pick a template, connect accounts from the trigger and action services, and you’re done.
Even if you don’t find any templates that fit your needs, building your own Zap from scratch takes minutes. Just follow these steps.
- Open the Zapier dashboard and click the Zap button.
- Click the Trigger button and select the app you want to use as the trigger in the Apps tab.
- Depending on the app you choose, you’ll be asked to pick a trigger event and connect your account.
- Click the Action button and select the app you want your automated task to happen.
- Select the action event and connect your account.
And that’s it! Your Zap is ready and will work automatically in the background. You can test run your Zaps as many times as needed to fine-tune any changes and publish them when you’re ready.
However, if you want to make your Zap creation process even simpler, you can interact with Zapier’s Copilot. You’ll spot the Copilot chat box at the top of your Zapier dashboard and in the Zap editor as well.
Using Copilot is as easy as using any other AI chatbot. Just type in what you want to automate in as much detail as possible, and Copilot will automatically create a Zap that works for you. You will, of course, have to add your accounts and check to see if everything’s working as expected.
Start automating your life today
Build the robot, don’t be one
The best time to set up automation was yesterday. The second-best time is right now. Every single day you’re doing repetitive tasks manually is a day wasted.
Zapier isn’t magic, but it’s pretty close. It’s one of those rare tools that’s both powerful and accessible. All you need to do is take the first step and set up the automations you need. You don’t need to be a tech wizard, and your future self—the one with all those extra hours—will thank you.
