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In today's rapidly evolving software landscape, integration has become a critical factor in the success of B2B SaaS companies.
As businesses increasingly rely on a diverse ecosystem of applications to power their operations, the need for seamless connectivity between these tools has never been more pressing.
This is where embedded iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) solutions come into play, offering a powerful way for SaaS providers to deliver native integrations to their customers without the burden of building and maintaining countless point-to-point connections.
As we dive into 2024, the embedded iPaaS market has matured significantly, with a variety of robust solutions available to meet the diverse needs of SaaS companies.
If you are looking for the best embedded iPaaS tool but are confused about whom, why, and how to choose the perfect platform for your SaaS product, then you have landed on the right place.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the top 10 embedded iPaaS tools, with a special focus on how Cobalt stands out in this competitive landscape.
Related Article: What is SaaS Integration?
Understanding Embedded iPaaS
Before we delve into the specifics of each tool, let's take a moment to understand what embedded iPaaS is and why it's become so crucial for B2B SaaS companies.
Embedded iPaaS is a set of tools and technologies that enable software companies to build, manage, and deliver integrations as a seamless part of their core product offering. Unlike traditional iPaaS solutions that focus on internal enterprise integrations, embedded iPaaS is designed specifically for SaaS providers who want to offer integration capabilities directly within their application.
The importance of embedded iPaaS cannot be overstated. In an increasingly connected digital world, customers expect their software tools to work together harmoniously.
By leveraging embedded iPaaS, SaaS companies can:
- Accelerate time-to-market for new integrations
- Reduce development costs and resource allocation for integration projects
- Improve customer satisfaction and retention by meeting integration needs
- Unlock new market opportunities by easily connecting with complementary solutions
- Focus on core product development while still meeting integration demands
Why B2B SaaS Companies Can’t Ignore Embedded iPaaS
If you’re running a B2B SaaS company, offering seamless integrations with other tools is a must. Your customers expect it. Embedded iPaaS makes this possible without reinventing the wheel, saving you time and making your product much more attractive to users.
A Quick Look Back at Embedded iPaaS
Not too long ago, building integrations was a long, painful process. But as embedded iPaaS solutions started popping up, even small SaaS companies could offer top-notch integrations. Now, the market is packed with options, each designed to meet different needs.
Now that we understand the significance of embedded iPaaS, let's explore the criteria we'll use to evaluate the top 10 tools in this space.
What to Look For in an Embedded iPaaS
Before we dive into the top tools, let’s chat about what really matters when choosing an embedded iPaaS:
1. Feature Set
Does the tool offer all the bells and whistles you need? Think about data transformations, automation, and connector availability.
2. Developer Experience
Is it easy to work with? Look for tools that provide clear documentation, intuitive interfaces, and support for modern programming languages.
3. Pre-Built Integrations/Connectors
The more, the merrier. An extensive catalog of pre-built integrations can save you a ton of development time.
4. Extensibility
Can the tool grow with you? You’ll want something that’s flexible enough to support custom integrations and evolving needs.
5. Support
Stuff goes wrong sometimes—make sure there’s a solid support team ready to help you out.
6. Security
This one’s a no-brainer. The tool should meet industry security standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2.
7. Scalability and Reliability
As your company grows, your iPaaS needs to keep up. Look for consistent performance and uptime.
8. Pricing
Finally, you’ve got to stay within budget. Choose a solution that offers good value for the money.
With these criteria in mind, let's dive into our analysis of the top 10 embedded iPaaS tools.
The Top 10 Embedded iPaaS Tools
Ready to meet the contenders? Here are the 10 best embedded iPaaS tools out there, each with its own strengths.
Top Embedded iPaaS #1: Cobalt
As a leader in the embedded iPaaS space, Cobalt has consistently demonstrated its commitment to providing a powerful, flexible, and developer-friendly integration platform.
Let's explore what makes Cobalt stand out in this competitive landscape.
Key Features
Cobalt offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to streamline the integration process:
- Intuitive Visual Workflow Builder
Cobalt's drag-and-drop interface allows developers to create complex integration workflows with ease, reducing development time and improving productivity.
- Robust Data Mapping and Transformation: With support for advanced data manipulation, including custom JavaScript functions, Cobalt ensures that data flows seamlessly between applications, regardless of format or structure.
- Real-time Event Processing
Cobalt's event-driven architecture enables real-time data synchronization, ensuring that integrated systems stay up to date with the latest information.
- Versioning and Release Management: Cobalt provides full control over integration versioning, allowing teams to manage multiple versions of integrations and roll out updates seamlessly.
- White-labeling Capabilities: Cobalt allows SaaS providers to offer a fully branded integration experience, maintaining a consistent look and feel within their application.
Developer Experience
Cobalt prides itself on offering an exceptional developer experience.
- Comprehensive Documentation: Detailed guides, API references, and code samples make it easy for developers to get started and tackle complex integration scenarios.
- Powerful SDKs: Cobalt provides SDKs for popular programming languages, enabling developers to work in their preferred environment.
- CLI Tools: Command-line interfaces streamline the development and deployment process, perfect for teams that prefer to work in terminal environments.
- Testing and Debugging Tools: Cobalt offers robust testing and debugging capabilities, including step-by-step execution and detailed logging, to help developers identify and resolve issues quickly.
Integrations Catalog
While Cobalt may not boast the largest catalog of 250+ pre-built connectors, it offers a carefully curated selection of high-quality integrations for popular business applications.
More importantly, Cobalt provides powerful tools for building custom connectors, ensuring that SaaS providers can integrate with any application their customers require.
Extensibility
Cobalt shines when it comes to extensibility
- Custom Connector Framework: Developers can easily create connectors to any API-enabled application using Cobalt's flexible connector framework.
- Webhook Support: Cobalt's platform supports both inbound and outbound webhooks, enabling real-time event-driven integrations.
- Custom Scripting: Advanced JavaScript support allows developers to implement complex business logic and data transformations within integrations.
Security and Compliance
Cobalt takes security seriously, offering:
- SOC 2 Type II compliance
- GDPR compliance
- End-to-end encryption for data in transit and at rest
- Role-based access control (RBAC) for fine-grained permissions
- Regular security audits and penetration testing
Technical Support
Cobalt's support team is known for its responsiveness and technical expertise.
- Dedicated support channels for enterprise customers
- Comprehensive knowledge base and community forums
- Regular webinars and training sessions for developers
- Proactive monitoring and issue resolution
Pricing
Cobalt offers a flexible pricing model designed to scale with your business:
- Pay-per-use model based on the number of integration executions
- Volume discounts for high-usage customers
- Custom enterprise plans for large-scale deployments
Cobalt also offers customized Start-Up plans, specifically for early-stage startups and their unique needs and use-cases.
Customers Rating
G2- 4.9/5
Top Embedded iPaaS #2: Paragon
Paragon has gained significant traction in the embedded iPaaS market, particularly among B2B SaaS companies serving niche industries.
Key Features
- Managed authentication for third-party services
- Extensible workflow builder with custom JavaScript support
- White-labeled, native end-user UI
- Versioning and release management
Developer Experience
Paragon offers a code-centric approach with its integrations-as-code framework, allowing developers to author workflows in code or using a visual builder. This flexibility is appreciated by teams with strong engineering backgrounds.
Integrations Catalog
With over 100 pre-built integrations, Paragon's catalog is growing but still lags behind some competitors. However, their custom integration builder allows developers to create connectors for unsupported apps.
Extensibility
Paragon's custom integration builder and support for complex logic make it highly extensible, though it may require more developer resources compared to some other platforms.
Security and Compliance
Paragon is SOC 2 and GDPR compliant, with the option for on-premise deployment to meet stringent security requirements.
Technical Support
Paragon is known for providing excellent technical support, with direct access to engineers who can assist with complex integration challenges.
Pricing
Paragon's pricing is not publicly available, but it's generally considered to be in the midrange for embedded iPaaS solutions.
Related Article: Top 11 Paragon Alternatives in 2024
Top Embedded iPaaS #3: Prismatic
Prismatic has carved out a niche by focusing specifically on the needs of B2B SaaS companies, particularly those in vertical markets.
Key Features
- Low-code integration designer
- Managed authentication services
- Configurable integration marketplace
- Logging and monitoring tools
Developer Experience
Prismatic offers a mix of low-code and code-centric tools, but some users report performance issues with the front-end interface.
Integrations Catalog
With approximately 80 supported integrations, Prismatic's catalog is smaller than some competitors but growing steadily.
Extensibility
Prismatic allows for custom component creation, but the process is not as streamlined as some other platforms.
Security and Compliance
Prismatic is SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA compliant, but lacks an on-premise deployment option.
Technical Support
Users generally report positive experiences with Prismatic's support team, praising their responsiveness and technical knowledge.
Pricing
Prismatic uses a per-instance pricing model, which can become expensive as you scale the number of users and integrations.
Related Article: Top 8 Alternatives of Prismatic
Top Embedded iPaaS #4: Workato
Workato, primarily known for its enterprise iPaaS offering, has expanded into the embedded space with Workato Embedded.
Key Features
- Large library of pre-built connectors
- Robust workflow automation capabilities
- AI-powered recipe suggestions
- Enterprise-grade security and governance
Developer Experience
While powerful, Workato's platform can be complex, with a steeper learning curve compared to some competitors.
Integrations Catalog
Workato boasts an impressive 1000+ pre-built connectors, one of the largest catalogs in the industry.
Extensibility
Workato offers good extensibility options, including the ability to create custom connectors and use custom scripts within workflows.
Security and Compliance
Workato is SOC 2 and GDPR compliant, with robust security features suitable for enterprise use.
Technical Support
Workato provides comprehensive support options, though some users report that getting to the right technical expert can sometimes be a challenge.
Pricing
Workato is generally considered one of the more expensive options in the market, which may be a barrier for smaller SaaS companies.
Related Article: Top 9 Workato Alternatives in 2024
Top Embedded iPaaS #5: Merge
Merge takes a unique approach by offering a unified API for common integration categories like HRIS, ATS, and CRM.
Key Features
- Unified API for multiple software categories
- Standardized data models
- Automatic schema mapping
- Webhooks for real-time data syncing
Developer Experience
Merge's unified API approach simplifies the integration process for developers, reducing the learning curve for integrating with multiple systems.
Integrations Catalog
Merge focuses on depth rather than breadth, offering comprehensive coverage within specific categories like HR, ATS, and CRM systems.
Extensibility
While powerful within its supported categories, Merge may be limited for SaaS providers needing integrations outside of these areas.
Security and Compliance
Merge is SOC 2 Type II and GDPR compliant, with robust security measures in place.
Technical Support
Users generally report positive experiences with Merge's support team, praising their technical knowledge and responsiveness.
Pricing
Merge offers a usage-based pricing model, which can be cost-effective for companies with moderate integration needs.
Related Article: Top 7 Merge Alternatives in 2024
Top Embedded iPaaS #6: Alloy
Alloy positions itself as a flexible embedded iPaaS solution suitable for a wide range of SaaS providers.
Key Features
- Visual workflow builder
- Custom branding options
- Multi-tenancy support
- Real-time monitoring and alerts
Developer Experience
Alloy offers a balance between low-code and code-centric approaches, catering to developers of varying skill levels.
Integrations Catalog
Alloy provides a growing catalog of pre-built integrations, though not as extensive as some larger competitors.
Extensibility
The platform offers good extensibility options, including the ability to create custom connectors and use custom code within workflows.
Security and Compliance
Alloy is SOC 2 Type II compliant and offers robust security features, including end-to-end encryption.
Technical Support
Users generally report positive experiences with Alloy's support team, though response times may vary depending on the support tier.
Pricing
Alloy offers flexible pricing options, including per-user and per-integration models, making it suitable for companies of various sizes.
Related Article: Top 9 Alloy Alternatives in 2024
Top Embedded iPaaS #7: Boomi
Boomi, a Dell Technologies business, brings its enterprise integration expertise to the embedded iPaaS market.
Key Features
- Extensive integration and API management capabilities
- Pre-built connectors and templates
- Master data hub for data governance
- Comprehensive monitoring and alerting
Developer Experience
Boomi offers a robust set of tools for developers, but the platform's complexity can result in a steeper learning curve.
Integrations Catalog
With over 1500 pre-built connectors, Boomi offers one of the most extensive integration catalogs in the industry.
Extensibility
Boomi provides strong extensibility options, including custom connector development and scripting capabilities.
Security and Compliance
As an enterprise-grade solution, Boomi offers comprehensive security features and compliance certifications, including SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA.
Technical Support
Boomi provides enterprise-level support, though some users report that navigating the support system can be challenging due to the platform's complexity.
Pricing
Boomi's pricing is generally on the higher end, reflecting its enterprise-grade capabilities.
Top Embedded iPaaS #8: Knit API
Knit API focuses on providing a unified API for HR and payroll integrations, similar to Merge but with a narrower focus.
Key Features
- Unified API for HR and payroll systems
- Standardized data models
- Webhook support for real-time updates
- Developer-friendly documentation
Developer Experience
Knit API's focused approach and well-documented API make it easy for developers to work with HR and payroll integrations.
Integrations Catalog
While limited to HR and payroll systems, Knit API offers comprehensive coverage within this niche.
Extensibility
Knit API's extensibility is limited to its specific focus area, which may not be suitable for SaaS providers requiring a broader range of integrations.
Security and Compliance
Knit API is SOC 2 Type II compliant and offers robust security measures appropriate for handling sensitive HR and payroll data.
Technical Support
Users generally report positive experiences with Knit API's support team, praising their responsiveness and domain expertise.
Pricing
Knit API offers usage-based pricing, which can be cost-effective for companies focusing specifically on HR and payroll integrations.
Top Embedded iPaaS #9: Tray.io
Tray.io, known for its general iPaaS offering, has expanded into the embedded space with Tray Embedded.
Key Features
- Visual workflow builder
- Extensive connector library
- Data mapping and transformation tools
- Conditional logic and branching
Developer Experience
Tray.io offers a mix of low-code and code-centric tools, but some users report that the platform can be complex to master.
Integrations Catalog
With over 600 pre-built connectors, Tray.io offers a substantial catalog of integrations.
Extensibility
Tray.io provides good extensibility options, including custom connector development and the ability to use custom code within workflows.
Security and Compliance
Tray.io is SOC 2 and GDPR compliant, with robust security features suitable for enterprise use.
Technical Support
Users generally report positive experiences with Tray.io's support team, though response times may vary depending on the complexity of the issue.
Pricing
Tray.io's pricing is generally considered to be in the mid- to high range, which may be a consideration for smaller SaaS companies.
Related Article: Top 5 Tray.io Alternatives in 2024
Top Embedded iPaaS #10: Zapier
While primarily known for its end-user automation platform, Zapier also offers embedded integration capabilities through Zapier for Teams and Zapier for Companies.
Key Features
- Extensive library of app connections
- User-friendly interface
- Zap templates for quick setup
- Multi-step Zaps for complex workflows
Developer Experience
Zapier's platform is designed for ease of use, which can be a double-edged sword for developers requiring more complex integration capabilities.
Integrations Catalog
Zapier boasts one of the largest app connection libraries, with over 3,000 integrations available, making it an ideal choice for SaaS companies that need quick and easy access to a wide range of popular applications.
Extensibility
While Zapier excels at offering out-of-the-box integrations, its platform may not be as customizable for developers who need to build highly specific or complex workflows. It’s best suited for simpler use cases, though Zapier’s multi-step Zaps can handle more intricate automations when necessary.
Security and Compliance
Zapier is SOC 2 compliant and offers essential security features like data encryption and secure data transfer. However, for businesses that need more rigorous compliance features, Zapier may not meet every enterprise-level need.
Technical Support
Zapier's support team is known for being friendly and helpful, but their priority support is available only to customers on higher-tier plans. For users on lower plans, response times may be slower.
Pricing
Zapier offers a range of pricing options, from free plans for basic integrations to premium plans that can get expensive for high-volume users. While affordable for smaller companies, Zapier's pricing structure might not be ideal for scaling businesses with complex integration needs.
Wrapping Up the Top 10 Embedded iPaaS Tools
So, there you have it—a comprehensive look at the top embedded iPaaS tools in 2024. Each of these platforms offers something unique, whether it's Cobalt's developer-friendly features, Merge's unified APIs, or Zapier's extensive app catalog. The right tool for your SaaS company depends on your specific needs, from the complexity of integrations to the level of customization you require.
While tools like Cobalt excel at providing a robust developer experience, Paragon and Prismatic stand out for their specialized approaches. Platforms like Boomi and Workato offer enterprise-grade solutions but come with a higher price tag. On the other hand, options like Zapier and Merge can help streamline processes for smaller companies or teams that prioritize ease of use.
Choosing the right embedded iPaaS tool will not only streamline your integration workflows but also enhance your overall product experience. Whether you're looking to scale seamlessly, manage customer expectations, or maintain flexibility in your integrations, there's a solution in this list that can take your SaaS product to the next level.
Supercharge your SaaS with seamless integrations! Try Cobalt's embedded iPaaS platform today and deliver powerful, custom integrations without the hassle. Book a demo now!