Knack Flows vs Zapier – Why You Should Use Knack

Hey there. Are you someone who wants to integrate a lot of different applications together, but need a tool that makes it simple, effective, easy to use, and cost-effective? Well, you’re in luck. Today I’ll cover two products that make your decision easy. Knack offers several key advantages over Zapier that we need to highlight.

Overview of Knack Flows

First, Knack Flows is directly integrated within Knack, giving you immediate access to your data, logic, and tables. This makes it inherently user-friendly for Knack customers. You can enable automation in a familiar UI, adding value without requiring external tools or complex configurations. Flows is built specifically for the Knack app-building experience, helping SMBs automate without ever leaving the platform they already use.

Benefits of Centralized Workflows

Flows are available across all Knack apps—no manual API key management needed, unlike Zapier. Each flow is organized into app-specific folders for clarity and easy tracking. By centralizing workflows within Knack, you simplify maintenance, accelerate issue resolution, and reduce cost, overhead, and errors that come from using separate systems.

Cost Efficiency of Knack Flows

Using tools like Make or Zapier means buying an extra subscription, which adds up for small businesses. Knack Flows is bundled with your Knack plan, making it more affordable and transparent. You can start automating within your existing ecosystem and scale as you grow—all included in your Knack subscription.

Customization and Flexibility in Automations

Knack also offers more flexibility. With integrations tailored to common use cases and Knack templates, users have more control over workflows. Third-party tools like Zapier often require workarounds or have limited integration options for custom logic.

Exploring Automation Use Cases

We’ve built a strong suite of automations within Knack Flows. Whether you’re sending Slack messages after a project status change, syncing Excel spreadsheets with Knack, or generating new content ideas with OpenAI, it’s easy to trigger workflows using Knack events.

Comparison with Zapier’s Pricing

We’ve covered these use cases in other videos, but here’s the key point: Knack Flows is part of your existing system. Zapier, on the other hand, is a separate product you need to pay for. Their pricing is aimed at enterprise users and gets expensive fast.

Understanding Zapier’s Limitations

To unlock multi-step automations in Zapier, you’ll need at least a $20/month plan. For scalable automation, you’ll likely pay $70/month or more. Zapier is robust and widely compatible, but for SMBs, it’s often more tool than needed at a higher price.

Knack’s Transaction-Based Pricing Model

Knack’s builder is simple—just like Zapier’s—but the cost difference is big. For example:

• 3,500 transactions = $19/month
• 25,000 = $99/month
• 120,000 = $399/month

Each Knack plan includes free transactions, giving you built-in value.

Pricing Comparison with Zapier

Zapier pricing doesn’t compare. For 1,000 automations, you may pay $50–$75/month. For 10,000, you’ll pay even more—often double. Especially with team plans, Zapier gets expensive fast.

Seamless Integration with Knack

What Zapier lacks is native integration. Knack Flows is built on top of the Knack platform. You get access to flow logs, analytics, and configuration directly within Knack, with no jumping between platforms.

Advantages of Native Automation

Using third-party tools separates your workflows. With Knack, your automations live inside the same place you manage your data and user interface—making things faster and more consistent.

Simplifying Workflow Management

There’s no reason to switch between products. Knack already knows your tables and logic. You simply build your flows on top of your existing app with less friction and faster setup.

Native Experience with Data Relationships

Knack Flows provides a native experience with full awareness of your data structure, user roles, and relationships. You can create triggers, update records, and manage complex workflows all within Knack’s Unified Builder—no code required.

Target Audience for Knack Flows

While Zapier markets itself as an enterprise solution, it’s mostly geared toward mid-market users. Most Knack customers want to connect fewer than five tools. For them, Flows is the perfect solution—simple, built-in, and cost-effective.

To wrap it up: Knack Flows beats bolting on Zapier because it’s natively integrated into your Knack app. It understands your database structure and can automate faster without extra connections or syncing.

Final Thoughts on Automation Solutions

Flows lets you send emails, manage webhooks, and run automations directly—without extra tools. And yes, if you still need Zapier, you can use it in tandem. But for most use cases, Knack Flows is simpler, cheaper, and more efficient.

Thanks so much for watching, and we’ll see you in the next one. Bye.