Modern SaaS products depend heavily on the quality of their integrations. Users expect applications to work smoothly with the tools they use every day, without dealing with complex setup, fragile APIs, or engineering delays. This growing demand is why embedded integration platforms have become so important. They help SaaS teams ship reliable data connectivity faster, reduce maintenance, and create a smoother product experience.
An embedded integration platform gives SaaS vendors a simple way to offer access to many data sources directly inside their product. This improves the user experience, lowers engineering overhead, and lets product teams stay focused on innovation instead of building one-off connectors.
As data becomes more fragmented across systems, embedded connectivity now serves as the foundation for successful SaaS data strategies. It brings consistency, security, and flexibility to integrations that would otherwise require significant engineering effort.
This guide highlights 14 leading platforms shaping the space. You will learn:
What each platform offers
The type of SaaS products it fits best
How platform differences impact deployment, connectors, and automation
You can use this guide as a practical reference for choosing the right embedded integration platform for your application.
1. CData Embedded Cloud for AI
CData Embedded Cloud for AI gives SaaS teams an enterprise-ready way to embed connectivity directly into their products. It lets teams integrate AI assistants and application workflows with more than 350 enterprise data sources through live, governed connections. This helps ISVs offer self-service integrations without having to build custom connectors.
Connect AI strengthens this with features such as:
standardized SQL access
automatic OAuth 2.1 refresh
strong governance controls applied at the connector level
SOC 2, GDPR, and ISO/IEC 27001 compliance
preserved data semantics and lineage that support analytics and AI context
Many leading software companies, including Palantir, SAP, Salesforce, and Google Cloud, rely on CData technology to deliver secure, governed, embedded connectivity at scale.
CData supports multiple deployment models, including Embedded Connectors, Embedded Cloud, and Embedded Cloud for AI. This flexibility helps product teams choose the setup that fits their architecture and security requirements.
Today, millions worldwide rely on CData to power analytics, AI, and application integration across hundreds of data sources.
2. Boomi
Boomi is a well-known hybrid integration platform-as-a-service (iPaaS) that supports microservices, workflow automation, and multi-cloud data movement. It focuses on orchestrating complex integrations and provides robust monitoring and error handling.
An iPaaS is a cloud-based suite of tools that connects cloud and on-premises applications. Boomi uses AI-driven middleware to streamline both modern SaaS integrations and older legacy systems. For product teams that need broad process automation in addition to connectivity, Boomi provides a well-established ecosystem and solid operational tooling.
3. Workato
Workato positions itself as an enterprise automation platform with strong embedded integration capabilities. It appeals to B2B SaaS companies that need rapid deployment, customization, and large-scale integration flows.
Workato’s embedded platform offers real-time syncing, schema management, and comprehensive documentation. Many teams value its training support and partner ecosystem, which helps reduce time-to-market. Workato fits well when companies want automation, integration, and workflow logic in one unified platform.
4. Tray.io
Tray.io offers an accessible low-code environment that empowers both developers and business users. Its drag-and-drop interface simplifies integration design, and its API management features help teams manage authentication, triggers, and event flows with confidence.
Low-code platforms provide visual interfaces that help users build integrations without deep programming experience. Tray.io focuses on flexible automations, real-time data handling, and strong monitoring tools that fit SaaS products looking for speed and collaboration across technical and non-technical teams.
5. Paragon
Paragon has gained attention for its focus on embedded iPaaS for AI-driven workflows. It supports AI search, agent orchestration, and connectors tailored for emerging AI models and standards. This makes Paragon a strong option for SaaS products building AI-native experiences.
Its connectors and quick-start workflows help teams integrate new SaaS systems without heavy engineering investment. Paragon’s alignment with modern agentic frameworks appeals to AI-first products exploring cutting-edge features.
6. Zapier
Zapier remains the most popular choice for simple, scalable, self-service integrations. It provides thousands of pre-built connectors and an extremely user-friendly interface.
Many smaller SaaS teams use Zapier to offer quick, lightweight integrations without building their own infrastructure. Zapier excels at automating repetitive tasks, connecting everyday apps, and powering no-code workflows for users who want fast results.
7. Make (formerly Integromat)
Make offers a powerful visual automation platform designed for real-time workflows and advanced conditional logic. Its drag-and-drop interface supports complex integrations such as multi-system syncing, data migration, and cross-app automation.
Make performs well in industries that require flexibility, fast iteration, and strong real-time workflow capabilities. It suits SaaS products that want to give customers a high degree of automation control.
8. MuleSoft
MuleSoft is widely used for enterprise-level integration and API management. SaaS teams value its hybrid deployment capabilities and support for large-scale connectivity across cloud and on-premises environments.
API management platforms help organizations create, secure, and govern APIs. MuleSoft offers advanced tooling, strong security, and deep support for regulated industries. It is best suited for large enterprises with complex data architectures.
9. TIBCO Cloud Integration
TIBCO Cloud Integration offers robust tools for connecting distributed systems and orchestrating real-time data flows. It supports cloud and on-premises environments and fits well in data-intensive industries that require real-time analytics.
SaaS teams use TIBCO when they need reliability, scalability, and sophisticated event-based workflows.
10. Microsoft Power Automate
Microsoft Power Automate integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 and Dynamics products and provides easy-to-configure workflows across SaaS applications. It enables organizations to automate tasks through pre-built templates and connectors.
Companies already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem often choose Power Automate because of its native compatibility and user-focused experience.
11. SnapLogic
SnapLogic is known for its visual workflow builder and easy-to-use interface. It supports quick connections across numerous SaaS and cloud systems.
SnapLogic’s strong monitoring, API management tools, and troubleshooting features appeal to teams that want fast development without sacrificing reliability. It provides quick onboarding and broad integration coverage.
12. IBM App Connect
IBM App Connect is a strong choice for enterprise teams that require compliance-ready integrations, complex transformations, and multi-cloud support. It offers rich monitoring capabilities and adapts well to regulatory-heavy sectors.
Its long-standing reputation in integration makes it a dependable option for SaaS companies that need stability and a large connector library.
13. Apache Camel
Apache Camel is an open-source integration framework that gives developers complete control over routing, mapping, and processing logic.
Apache Camel allows teams to write integration rules in standard programming languages and build highly customized workflows. It works best for SaaS providers with engineering teams that prefer maximum flexibility and code-driven architectures.
14. Celigo
Celigo focuses on mid-market businesses that want straightforward integrations without enterprise-level deployment complexity. It offers a wide catalog of SaaS and database connectors and provides tools for process automation and ERP-to-CRM syncing.
Celigo is a practical choice for SaaS teams seeking a balanced combination of usability and power.
Frequently asked questions
What features make an embedded integration platform ideal for SaaS connectivity?
The best platforms provide pre-built connectors, strong security, real-time data transfer, and detailed logging. These features help SaaS products connect to diverse data sources efficiently while maintaining user trust.
How do deployment models impact integration speed and maintenance?
Flexible deployment models—such as managed cloud or downloadable connectors— can accelerate onboarding and reduce maintenance burdens, allowing SaaS engineering teams to focus on core product innovation.
What types of data sources and connectors should SaaS providers expect?
A mature integration platform supports databases, cloud warehouses, legacy systems, and major SaaS applications, enabling teams to address virtually every integration scenario.
How do embedded platforms support security and compliance standards?
Leading platforms support SOC 2, GDPR, and ISO/IEC 27001, inherit authentication from source systems, and offer full audit logging to maintain compliance and security across integrations.
What level of customization can be achieved with embedded integration platforms?
Top embedded platforms enable customizable data mappings—often via low-code interfaces—allowing SaaS teams to tailor integrations for unique customer and industry requirements.
Power your SaaS integrations with CData Embedded Cloud for AI
If you want to deliver a better integration experience inside your SaaS product, CData Embedded Cloud for AI gives you everything you need. It connects your application to 350+ enterprise systems with secure, real-time access, so you do not have to build or maintain connectors yourself.
