What is iPaaS?
iPaaS, short for integration platform as a service, is cloud software that connects separate applications so data and actions move between them automatically, using prebuilt connectors instead of custom code.
An iPaaS sits in the middle of your tools. It watches for events in one app, such as a new form entry, a paid invoice or a booked appointment, and then takes actions in others. Zapier, Make and n8n are common choices for small and mid-sized businesses. Larger platforms such as Workato or Boomi serve enterprise needs with more governance features and higher prices.
The appeal is speed. Many integrations can be built in hours with no developer, using connectors the platform maintains. The tradeoffs are cost that scales with usage, another place where business data passes through, and a tendency to accumulate dozens of small automations nobody documents. Pricing changes often, so check current pricing and how the platform counts tasks or operations before committing.
Before choosing an iPaaS, check whether your core systems already integrate natively, which is often simpler and more reliable. If an iPaaS is the right answer, keep a written inventory of every automation, use a shared company account rather than an employee's personal login, and review data handling, especially if client health, legal or financial information passes through it.
Example
For example, a marketing agency uses Make to connect its proposal tool, HubSpot and its project management app. When a client signs, Make creates the project from a template, assigns the account lead and posts a note in the team channel. The operations manager reviews the run history weekly for failed steps.