Zapier Alternative for Europe: GDPR-Compliant Automation Compared
The best GDPR-compliant Zapier alternatives for European businesses compared.
12 min read
Looking for a Zapier alternative that's GDPR-compliant? As a European business, you face a dilemma: Zapier is the market leader, but data processing in the US carries legal risks. In this article, we'll show you the best alternatives for the European market.
The Problem with Zapier and GDPR
Zapier is a US company with servers primarily located in the United States. Since the Schrems II ruling by the European Court of Justice, data transfers to the US have become problematic:
Legal Risks:- Privacy Shield was invalidated in 2020
- Data Privacy Framework (DPF) since 2023, but legally contested
- For sensitive data: fines up to 20 million euros or 4% of annual turnover
| Data Type | Risk | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Customer data (name, email) | Medium | Review required |
| Health data | Very high | Not recommended |
| Financial data | High | Use alternative |
| Internal documents | Medium | Case-by-case |
| Public data | Low | Usable |
The Best GDPR-Compliant Zapier Alternatives
1. n8n (Self-Hosted) - Our Top Recommendation
Why n8n?- Developed in Berlin (German company)
- 100% data control with self-hosting
- Open source and transparent
- Can be hosted on European servers (Hetzner, etc.)
| Aspect | Rating |
|---|---|
| GDPR Compliance | 5/5 (Self-Hosted) |
| Features | 5/5 |
| User-friendliness | 4/5 |
| Price | Free (+ server costs) |
| Integrations | 400+ |
- No data leaves your infrastructure
- Unlimited workflows and executions
- Full customization through code options
- Active community
- Technical know-how required for setup
- Maintenance overhead for self-hosting
2. Make.com (EU Servers)
Why Make.com?- Czech company (EU)
- EU server location available
- GDPR-compliant with correct configuration
| Aspect | Rating |
|---|---|
| GDPR Compliance | 4/5 (EU Servers) |
| Features | 5/5 |
| User-friendliness | 5/5 |
| Price | From 9 EUR/month |
| Integrations | 1,200+ |
- Very intuitive user interface
- Cheaper than Zapier
- EU legal jurisdiction
- No self-hosting required
- Data stored with Make (no self-hosting)
- Not ideal for highly sensitive data
3. PIPEFORCE (Made in Germany)
Why PIPEFORCE?- German company from Munich
- Hosting exclusively in Germany
- Specialized for mid-market and enterprise
| Aspect | Rating |
|---|---|
| GDPR Compliance | 5/5 |
| Features | 4/5 |
| User-friendliness | 3/5 |
| Price | On request |
| Integrations | 100+ |
- 100% Made in Germany
- ISO 27001 certified
- German support
- Audit-ready
- Fewer integrations than Zapier
- Higher entry costs
- Less community resources
4. Microsoft Power Automate
Why Power Automate?- EU data centers available (Germany)
- Integration with Microsoft 365
- Enterprise-grade compliance
| Aspect | Rating |
|---|---|
| GDPR Compliance | 4/5 (EU Region) |
| Features | 4/5 |
| User-friendliness | 3/5 |
| Price | From 15 EUR/user/month |
| Integrations | 500+ |
- Seamless Microsoft integration
- German data centers
- Enterprise support
- More complex interface
- Expensive with many users
- Lock-in to Microsoft ecosystem
Comparison Table: All Alternatives at a Glance
| Criterion | Zapier | n8n | Make.com | PIPEFORCE | Power Automate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Server Location | USA | Freely selectable | EU | Germany | EU/DE |
| GDPR | Warning | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price (Basic) | 19 EUR | 0 EUR* | 9 EUR | On request | 15 EUR/User |
| Integrations | 5,000+ | 400+ | 1,200+ | 100+ | 500+ |
| Self-Hosting | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Local Support | No | Community | No | Yes | Yes |
*Server costs not included
Checklist: Can I Use Zapier in a GDPR-Compliant Way?
In some cases, you can continue to use Zapier. Check the following:
○ Are you not processing special categories of personal data (Art. 9 GDPR)?
○ Have you signed a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) with Zapier?
○ Has a Data Protection Impact Assessment been conducted?
○ Are Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) implemented?
○ Have data subjects consented to the transfer?
If you can answer "Yes" to all points, usage is possible with increased effort.
Our Recommendation: The effort for GDPR-compliant Zapier usage often exceeds the cost of switching.
Migration Effort: From Zapier to Alternatives
| Complexity | Effort | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | 1-2 hours | Individual Zaps with standard apps |
| Medium | 1-2 days | 10-20 workflows with filters |
| Complex | 1-2 weeks | 50+ workflows with custom code |
Industry Recommendations
Healthcare
Recommendation: n8n Self-Hosted or PIPEFORCE- Patient data requires highest security
- Certifications important
Financial Services
Recommendation: PIPEFORCE or Power Automate- Regulatory requirements to consider
- Audit trail required
E-Commerce
Recommendation: Make.com or n8n Cloud- Customer data within EU
- Good shop integrations
Agencies & Marketing
Recommendation: Make.com- Best user-friendliness
- Quick setup
Manufacturing
Recommendation: n8n Self-Hosted- Often on-premise requirements
- Integration with industrial systems
Conclusion: Which Zapier Alternative is Best?
There's no universally best solution. Our recommendation depends on your profile:
| Your Profile | Our Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Highest data protection requirements | n8n Self-Hosted |
| Easy operation without IT | Make.com |
| Regulated industry | PIPEFORCE |
| Microsoft environment | Power Automate |
| Budget-oriented | n8n Self-Hosted |
Next Steps
Unsure which solution fits you? We can help:
Switching to a GDPR-compliant alternative isn't a question of "if" but "when." The sooner you act, the lower the risk.