A Different Approach to Automation
Traditional automation tools ask you to think like a programmer. Pick a trigger. Pick an action. Map the fields. Add a filter. Add another step. Configure each condition. It works, but it requires translating what you want into platform-specific configuration.
NimbleBrain asks a different question: what if you could just say what you need?
"When a lead comes in from our website, add them to Salesforce, and if they asked about enterprise pricing, ping the sales team in Slack with their info."
That's it. You describe the outcome. The system figures out the triggers, actions, conditions, and field mappings. You refine through conversation, not configuration.
This isn't about adding AI to a traditional interface. It's a fundamentally different way to build automation, designed for people who know what they want but don't want to become automation experts to get it.
How NimbleBrain Works
Here's what building automation looks like in NimbleBrain:
Describe What You Want
Start with plain language. You might say: "Every morning, check our support inbox for urgent tickets and send me a Slack summary." Or: "When someone books a demo, add them to HubSpot, send a confirmation email, and create a task for the sales rep."
Refine Through Conversation
The system might ask clarifying questions: "What makes a ticket urgent? Subject line keywords, or priority field?" You answer naturally. The workflow adapts.
Modify by Explaining
Need to change something? Just say it: "Actually, also add them to our Monday board" or "Only do this for leads from the US." No hunting through configuration screens.
Handle Edge Cases Naturally
Traditional automation requires you to anticipate every variation and build explicit branches. NimbleBrain interprets intent. When something doesn't fit the exact pattern, it figures out what you meant.
Self-Host If You Need To
For organizations with data sovereignty requirements, NimbleBrain offers self-hosting through the NimbleTools open source runtime. Run automations on your own infrastructure while keeping the conversational interface.
Where Zapier Fits
Zapier is the market leader for a reason. With 7,000+ integrations built over a decade, it connects to almost everything. If you need a specific app that's not widely supported elsewhere, Zapier probably has it. Their template library covers thousands of common workflows, so you can start with something pre-built.
The trigger-action model is also genuinely approachable for beginners. The step-by-step interface guides you through each decision. For someone building their first automation who wants hand-holding, this structure helps. Zapier has also added AI features through Copilot, which suggests Zaps based on descriptions, though you still configure the result through the traditional interface.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Capability | Zapier | NimbleBrain |
|---|---|---|
| How you build | Select triggers/actions from menus | Describe what you want in plain language |
| How you modify | Find the step, edit configuration | Say what you want to change |
| Handling variations | Build explicit Paths and Filters | System interprets intent |
| Learning curve | Low (guided, but still configuration) | Minimal (just explain what you need) |
| Integrations | 7,000+ (market leader) | Growing library + webhooks |
| Self-hosting | No | Yes (NimbleTools runtime) |
| Multi-step workflows | Paid plans only | All plans |
On Pricing
Zapier uses task-based pricing where each action counts. A 5-step Zap running 100 times uses 500 tasks. Multi-step workflows require paid plans. NimbleBrain uses tiered usage-based pricing. Check our pricing page for current rates.
When NimbleBrain is Right for You
- You know what you want but not how to configure it. Describe the outcome; skip the implementation details.
- Your team isn't technical. Operators, not developers, can create and modify automations.
- Your workflows have nuance. Instead of building every branch explicitly, describe the logic naturally.
- You want to iterate quickly. Change workflows by explaining what's different, not hunting through settings.
- You need self-hosting. Run on your own infrastructure with NimbleTools.
When Zapier Might Be Better
- You need a specific integration from their 7,000+ library that we don't have yet
- You prefer visual, menu-driven configuration over conversation
- You want pre-built templates for common workflows
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from Zapier's AI Copilot?
Zapier Copilot helps you start a Zap by suggesting a configuration based on your description. But you still build and modify through the traditional interface. NimbleBrain is conversational end-to-end: you describe, refine, and modify workflows through natural language. The conversation is the interface, not a starting point for configuration.
What if you don't have an integration I need?
Our library is smaller but growing. If you need something we don't have, let us know. We can often add integrations quickly. You can also use webhooks for custom connections. If you need a specific niche app today, Zapier's breadth is hard to beat.
Can I see what the automation is actually doing?
Yes. NimbleBrain shows you the workflow it built and the execution history. You can ask "what happened with yesterday's runs?" or "show me what this workflow does." Transparency without requiring you to read configuration screens.
Is this actually easier, or just different?
For people who think in outcomes rather than implementation, it's easier. Instead of "I need a trigger on this app, then a filter for this condition, then an action on that app with these field mappings," you say what you want to happen. If you enjoy the puzzle of configuration, Zapier's model might feel more satisfying.
What about complex, multi-step workflows?
Describe them. "When a deal closes in Salesforce, update our revenue dashboard, notify the team in Slack, send the customer a thank-you email, and create an onboarding task in Asana." The complexity is in what you want, not in how you configure it. See our tutorials for real examples.
Can I self-host NimbleBrain?
Yes. The NimbleTools open source runtime lets you run automations on your own infrastructure. This gives you data sovereignty and control while keeping the conversational interface.