Pipedream vs Napkin
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Pipedream and Napkin.
Quick Verdict
4.1/5
Pipedream
0 reviews
3.5/5
Napkin
0 reviews
Pipedream is rated higher (4.1 vs 3.5). Developer-first workflow automation with code steps (Node.js, Python, Go, Bash) over 2,500+ integrated apps and 10k+ triggers/actions. Credit-based pricing: Free plan at 300 credits/month, Basic $29/mo, Advanced $49/mo (annual). Now owned by Workday. Napkin lets you write and run Node.js and Python serverless functions directly in the browser with zero setup, deploying them as authenticated HTTP endpoints.
Pipedream Low-code integration platform for developers | Napkin Write and deploy Node.js and Python functions as HTTP endpoints from a browser editor | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.1 (0 reviews)✓ | 3.5 (0 reviews) |
| Pricing model | freemium, credit-based usage (1 credit per 30s compute at 256 MB) | freemium |
| Starting price | Free tier available | Free tier available |
| Best for | Developer teams automating integrations, webhooks, and AI-agent tooling who want managed auth and 2,500+ connectors instead of maintaining their own glue services | Developers who need an HTTP endpoint today — webhooks, bots, scheduled automations, and prototypes — without opening a cloud console or running infrastructure. |
| Features | ||
| IPv6 | ||
| DDoS protection | ||
| Automated backups | ||
| Snapshots | ||
| Managed option | ||
| Bare metal | ||
| GPU available | ||
| S3-compatible | ||
| Hourly billing | ||
| Free tier | ||
| Tags | ||
| Tags | free tierapi access | free tier |
| Visit Pipedream → | Visit Napkin → | |
Pipedream
Pros
- + Permanent free plan (300 credits/month, 3 active workflows, no credit card) with the full app library
- + Real code steps with npm/PyPI, up to 10 GB RAM, 2 GB file system, no cold starts
- + 2,500+ integrated apps with managed OAuth; Connect adds 3,000+ connectors and 10k+ tools for embedding
- + Transparent credit metering (compute-time based) with documented limits and budget controls
- + SOC 2 Type 2, GDPR, GitHub sync with branch-based development, static egress IPs on Advanced
Cons
- - Acquired by Workday (closed February 2026) — long-term product and pricing direction uncertain
- - Credits burn fast on memory-heavy or fan-out workflows; production features gated behind the $49 plan
- - No published uptime SLA or execution-region disclosure below enterprise contracts
- - Proprietary workflow constructs — moving off Pipedream means rewriting the glue code
Napkin
Pros
- + Genuinely free plan: $0/month with 25,000 API calls, unlimited functions, custom domains, and team invites
- + One-click deploy from a browser editor — Node.js and Python, no cloud console or CLI required
- + Clear published limits: 500 MB/0.5 vCPU free (2 GB/2 vCPU Pro), 15s/30s timeouts, explicit rate caps
- + Endpoint SSL, auth, production logs, and scheduled triggers included on both tiers
- + Pro tier is capacity-only at $10 per user per month — no feature gating, no sales call
Cons
- - No published SLA, regions, or data residency; small-vendor reliability story
- - Free tier caps at 5 requests/second and a 15-second timeout — real design constraints
- - Browser-only workflow with no local development story and no obvious export path
- - Node.js and Python only — no Go, Rust, PHP, or Ruby runtimes
- - Stale limit figures circulate on marketing and third-party pages, so verify before budgeting
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