iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service)
A cloud-based platform that connects disparate applications and allows data to flow between them. n8n, Make, and Zapier are all iPaaS tools. Enterprise iPaaS examples include MuleSoft and Boomi.
£4.3B
global iPaaS market size in 2024
MarketsandMarkets
Expert insight
The iPaaS category splits into two very different buyer profiles. Consumer-grade tools like Zapier and Make are built for a single person to connect apps without writing code, and price by number of tasks executed. Developer-grade tools like n8n sit in between: still visual and no-code-friendly, but self-hostable and built to handle branching logic, error handling, and higher execution volume without the per-task pricing penalty. Enterprise iPaaS (MuleSoft, Boomi) targets a different problem entirely, integrating large internal systems, not connecting SaaS apps, and comes with an implementation timeline measured in months, not days.
In a real workflow
A team uses an iPaaS such as Make, Zapier or n8n to connect its CRM, billing and support tools without managing servers.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a platform only on price without checking connectors and limits.
- Ignoring how pricing scales with the number of operations.
Complexity level
Requires some familiarity with automation concepts.
Related terms
Quick facts
£4.3B
global iPaaS market size in 2024
MarketsandMarkets
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Guides that cover iPaaS
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Digital Workflow Automation: The Complete 2026 Guide to Architecture, Platforms, and ROI
Every vendor calls their product digital workflow automation, but the term spans three different technology generations. This guide defines what it actually means, how it differs from RPA, iPaaS, and BPM software, and what a production-grade architecture looks like.