General SaaS app marketplaces
AppDirect vs Zapier App Directory
AppDirect and Zapier App Directory both compete in general saas app marketplaces. Here is how they compare on the factors that decide where a developer should build — authentication, complexity, review, monetization, and merchant of record.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | AppDirect, Inc. | Zapier, Inc. |
| Ecosystem | General SaaS app marketplaces | General SaaS app marketplaces |
| Category | General SaaS | General SaaS |
| Primary auth | OAuth 2.0 | OAuth 2.0 |
| Also supports | API key | API key, JWT |
| Complexity | Advanced (L3) | Moderate (L2) |
| Security review | Required | Required |
| Integration types | Connector, Workflow action | Connector, Workflow action |
| Monetization | Revenue share, Usage-based, Listing fee | Free |
| Onboarding fee | Negotiated per vendor agreement | $0 (free to list) |
| Commission | Revenue share negotiated per reseller channel | None (no partner rev-share; Zapier monetizes end-user task volume) |
| Merchant of Record | AppDirect or reseller partner acts as MoR depending on channel | Not applicable (partners bill their own SaaS separately) |
| AI agents / bots | Not a focus | Supported |
| Example apps | Microsoft 365 (via telco resellers), Norton Security, Constant Contact | Slack, Google Sheets, HubSpot |
| API rate limits | Rate limits vary per reseller storefront integration. | Varies by plan and by the partner's own API; Zapier throttles polling and task volume per account tier. |
| Links |
Which should you choose?
- Lower complexity: Zapier App Directory (level 2/4).
- Security review: both require a formal review.
- AI agents: Zapier App Directory explicitly supports AI agents.