In today's fast-paced business landscape, workflow automation has become a game-changer for organizations of all sizes. By streamlining repetitive tasks and optimizing business processes, the best workflow automation software can help you boost productivity, reduce errors, and free up your team to focus on more strategic initiatives.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the best workflow automation tools and software that can transform the way your business operates. Whether you're looking to automate your approval workflows, streamline your project management, or integrate your disparate systems, you'll find the perfect solution to fit your needs.
Make
Make is a visual, low-code workflow automation platform that empowers users to create custom workflows without extensive technical expertise. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can easily design and automate a wide range of business processes, from leave requests to sales pipelines. The software's mobile automation capabilities and library of free templates make it a versatile choice for teams of all sizes.
Pros:
- Intuitive visual workflow designer
- Extensive integration capabilities with over 1,000 apps
- Affordable pricing options, including a free plan
Cons:
- Limited reporting and analytics features compared to some competitors
- Can be complex for non-technical users to fully customize workflows
Pricing: Make offers a free plan for up to 1,000 monthly operations, with paid plans starting at $10 per month.
Zapier
Zapier is a powerful automation platform that connects over 6,000 different apps and services, allowing you to create custom workflows and streamline your business processes. With its no-code approach, Zapier makes it easy for users of all technical backgrounds to automate repetitive tasks, from lead generation to customer support.
Pros:
- Vast integration library, allowing you to connect a wide range of tools
- Highly customizable workflows and automations
- Affordable free plan available for basic users
Cons:
- Limited workflow building features compared to some dedicated workflow automation tools
- Can be complex for non-technical users to fully leverage the platform's capabilities
Pricing: Zapier offers a free plan for up to 100 monthly tasks, with paid plans starting at $19.99 per month.
Monday
Monday is a visual work management platform that seamlessly integrates workflow automation capabilities. With its mobile-friendly interface and robust reporting features, Monday empowers teams to streamline their processes, improve collaboration, and gain valuable insights into their operations. The software's extensive integration library, which includes over 40 popular business tools, makes it a versatile choice for organizations of all sizes.
Pros:
- Intuitive visual interface for designing and managing workflows
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics to track the performance of your automated processes
- Wide range of integrations to connect your existing business tools
Cons:
- Can be a more expensive option, especially for larger teams
- Some users may find the customization options for advanced workflows to be limited
Pricing: Monday offers a free plan for up to 5 processes, with paid plans starting at $8 per user per month.
Onspring
Onspring is a workflow automation software designed to boost productivity and streamline business processes. With its ready-to-flow plans and custom workflow options, Onspring makes it easy for organizations to automate a wide range of tasks, from leave requests to vendor management. The platform's integration capabilities allow users to connect Onspring with their existing business tools, further enhancing the efficiency of their operations.
Pros:
- Focuses on improving productivity through workflow automation
- Offers flexible, customizable workflow options to fit your unique business needs
- Affordable pricing plans to suit organizations of various sizes
Cons:
- Limited reporting and analytics features compared to some competitors
- Can be more complex for non-technical users to fully leverage the platform's capabilities
Pricing: Onspring offers custom pricing based on your specific requirements.
ClickUp
ClickUp is a comprehensive work management platform that includes powerful workflow automation capabilities. With its wide range of features, ClickUp empowers teams to streamline their processes, automate repetitive tasks, and gain better visibility into their operations. The software's extensive integration library allows users to connect ClickUp with a variety of third-party business tools, further enhancing the efficiency of their workflows.
Pros:
- Extensive automation features to streamline a wide range of business processes
- Intuitive user interface that makes it easy to design and manage workflows
- Robust reporting and analytics to track the performance of your automated processes
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming for beginners, with a steep learning curve for some users
- Pricing can be on the higher end, especially for larger teams
Pricing: ClickUp offers a free plan for up to 100MB of storage, with paid plans starting at $5 per user per month.
Kissflow
Kissflow is a user-friendly workflow automation software designed with a no-code approach, making it an ideal choice for businesses and teams with limited technical expertise. The platform offers a range of pre-built workflow templates, allowing users to quickly automate common business processes, such as leave requests and expense approvals. Kissflow's affordable pricing options and intuitive interface make it an accessible solution for organizations of all sizes.
Pros:
- Intuitive, easy-to-use interface that requires no coding skills
- Extensive library of pre-built workflow templates to get started quickly
- Affordable pricing plans, including a free option for up to 5 processes
Cons:
- Limited customization options for advanced users
- Fewer integration options compared to some more robust workflow automation tools
Pricing: Kissflow offers a free plan for up to 5 processes, with paid plans starting at $10 per month.
Integrately
Integrately is an automation platform that focuses on seamless integration between various business tools and applications. With its visual workflow designer and pre-built automation templates, Integrately makes it easy for users to connect their disparate systems and streamline their workflows. The platform's no-code approach and affordable pricing options make it an accessible choice for organizations of all sizes.
Pros:
- Extensive library of pre-built automation templates to get started quickly
- Intuitive, user-friendly interface that requires no coding skills
- Affordable pricing plans, including a free option for up to 1,000 monthly operations
Cons:
- Limited reporting and analytics features compared to some competitors
- Fewer customization options for advanced users who require more complex workflows
Pricing: Integrately offers a free plan for up to 1,000 monthly operations, with paid plans starting at $10 per month.
Comindware Tracker
Comindware Tracker is a workflow automation software that features a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for non-technical users to create custom workflows. The platform offers a range of collaboration and task management features, allowing teams to streamline their processes and improve productivity. While Comindware Tracker's integration options may be more limited compared to some competitors, its focus on user-friendliness and flexible workflow design makes it a viable option for organizations seeking a straightforward workflow automation solution.
Pros:
- Intuitive, drag-and-drop interface that requires no coding skills
- Flexible, customizable workflows to fit your unique business needs
- Collaborative features to enhance teamwork and communication
Cons:
- Limited integration options compared to some more robust workflow automation tools
- Pricing can be higher than some competitors, depending on your specific requirements
Pricing: Comindware Tracker offers custom pricing based on your organization's needs.
Aiwozo
Aiwozo is a robotic business process management (BPM) platform that integrates advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities to automate complex workflows. With its visual workflow designer and pre-built templates, Aiwozo empowers users to streamline a wide range of business processes, from customer onboarding to invoice processing. The platform's intelligent automation features set it apart, making it a compelling choice for organizations seeking to leverage cutting-edge technology to optimize their operations.
Pros:
- Comprehensive BPM features with advanced AI and ML integration
- Customizable workflows to fit your unique business requirements
- Intuitive visual workflow designer for non-technical users
Cons:
- Steep learning curve for users unfamiliar with AI and ML-powered automation
- Pricing can be higher than some more basic workflow automation tools
Pricing: Aiwozo offers custom pricing based on your specific requirements.
OnTask
OnTask is a workflow automation software designed to streamline document-centric processes, such as approvals, routing, and eSignatures. With its robust integration capabilities, OnTask allows users to seamlessly connect their existing business tools and applications, creating a seamless workflow experience. The platform's specialized features for managing documents and forms make it a compelling choice for organizations that rely heavily on these types of processes.
Pros:
- Specialized features for document routing, eSignature, and form-filling
- Customizable workflows to fit your unique document-driven processes
- Integrates with a range of business applications
Cons:
- Limited reporting and analytics features compared to some competitors
- Pricing can be higher than some more general workflow automation tools
Pricing: OnTask offers custom pricing based on your organization's specific requirements.
Hive
Hive is a project management platform that also offers robust workflow automation capabilities. By simplifying complex, multi-step processes, Hive helps teams streamline their workflows and improve collaboration. The platform's range of task management, communication, and reporting features make it a comprehensive solution for organizations looking to optimize their business processes.
Pros:
- Intuitive project management features to enhance workflow efficiency
- Streamlines complex, multi-step workflows and processes
- Collaborative work environment to improve team coordination
Cons:
- Limited customization options for advanced users who require more complex workflows
- Pricing can be higher than some dedicated workflow automation tools
Pricing: Hive's pricing starts at $12 per user per month.
Proofhub
Proofhub is a comprehensive project management and workflow automation software that offers a wide range of features to help organizations optimize their business processes. With its visual workflow designer, task management tools, and collaboration features, Proofhub empowers teams to streamline their workflows, improve productivity, and enhance communication.
Pros:
- Robust project management capabilities to support complex workflows
- Streamlines and simplifies even the most intricate business processes
- Collaborative work environment to facilitate teamwork and coordination
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming for non-technical users, with a steeper learning curve
- Pricing can be higher than some more specialized workflow automation tools
Pricing: Proofhub's pricing starts at $45 per month for up to 15 users.
Axonator
Axonator is a flexible, customizable workflow automation software that offers a visual workflow designer and a library of pre-built templates. With its integration capabilities, Axonator allows users to connect their various business tools and applications, creating a seamless workflow experience. While the platform may not offer the same level of advanced features as some of its competitors, Axonator's focus on user-friendliness and affordability make it a viable option for organizations seeking a straightforward workflow automation solution.
Pros:
- Highly customizable workflows to fit your unique business needs
- Intuitive, user-friendly interface that requires no coding skills
- Affordable pricing options, including a free plan for up to 5 users
Cons:
- Limited reporting and analytics features compared to some more robust workflow automation tools
- Fewer pre-built integrations with third-party business applications
Pricing: Axonator offers a free plan for up to 5 users, with paid plans starting at $10 per month.
UiPath
UiPath is a leading robotic process automation (RPA) platform that enables organizations to automate a wide range of repetitive, rule-based tasks. With its extensive integration capabilities and advanced automation features, UiPath empowers users to streamline their workflows, improve productivity, and reduce manual errors. The platform's focus on automating routine tasks and processes makes it a compelling choice for organizations looking to optimize their operations.
Pros:
- Advanced RPA capabilities to automate repetitive tasks and processes
- Extensive integration options with various business tools and applications
- Affordable pricing options for individual users, with enterprise-level pricing available
Cons:
- Can be complex for non-technical users, requiring some technical expertise to fully leverage the platform's capabilities
- Pricing can be higher for enterprise-level deployments, depending on the specific requirements
Pricing: UiPath offers a free plan for unlimited individual automation runs, with paid plans starting at $1,000 per month for enterprise-level deployments.
Pipefy
Pipefy is a simple, affordable workflow automation software that focuses on process management and task automation. With its user-friendly interface and extensive library of pre-built templates, Pipefy makes it easy for organizations to streamline their workflows, improve productivity, and enhance collaboration. The platform's integration capabilities allow users to connect Pipefy with their existing business tools, further enhancing the efficiency of their operations.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface that requires no coding skills
- Extensive library of pre-built templates to get started quickly
- Affordable pricing options, including a free plan for up to 5 processes
Cons:
- Limited reporting and analytics features compared to some more robust workflow automation tools
- Fewer advanced workflow automation capabilities compared to some competitors
Pricing: Pipefy offers a free plan for up to 5 processes, with paid plans starting at $10 per month.
Selection Criteria for Best Workflow Automation Software
When it comes to choosing the best workflow automation software for your business, there are several key features and capabilities to consider. Here are some of the most important factors to keep in mind:
- Visual Workflow Designers: Look for tools that offer intuitive, drag-and-drop workflow designers, allowing you to easily create, customize, and manage your automated processes without the need for extensive technical expertise.
- Automation Capabilities: Ensure the software offers a wide range of automation features, such as triggers, actions, and conditional logic, to streamline your workflows and eliminate manual tasks.
- Comprehensive Notifications: Effective workflow automation software should provide robust notification systems, keeping your team informed about the status of tasks, approvals, and any issues that may arise.
- Workflow Versioning: The ability to track changes, revert to previous versions, and maintain a clear audit trail is crucial for maintaining control and compliance over your automated processes.
- KPI-Focused Reporting: Look for tools that offer comprehensive reporting and analytics features, enabling you to measure the performance of your workflows and make data-driven decisions to optimize your processes.
- Task Assignment and Tracking: Ensure the software supports seamless task assignment, delegation, and tracking, allowing you to monitor the progress of your automated workflows and ensure timely completion.
How to Automate Your Workflows
Automating your workflows can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some steps to help you get started:
- Identify Tasks and Processes: Start by identifying the tasks and processes that are repetitive, manual, or time-consuming. These are the perfect candidates for automation.
- Document Workflows: Document your workflows to understand how they currently work and what steps are involved. This will help you identify areas for improvement and potential automation opportunities.
- Use Triggers and Actions: Use triggers and actions to automate specific tasks and processes. Triggers can be events, such as a new customer order, while actions can be automated responses, like sending a confirmation email.
- Choose the Right Tool: Select the best workflow automation software for your business needs. Consider factors like ease of use, integration capabilities, and pricing.
- Test and Refine: Test your automated workflows and refine them as needed. This will ensure they are working correctly and efficiently.
By following these steps, you can successfully automate your workflows and improve the efficiency of your business operations.
In conclusion, workflow automation is a powerful tool that can help businesses streamline their operations, improve productivity, and reduce manual errors. By selecting the best workflow automation software for your needs, you can automate repetitive tasks, simplify complex processes, and enhance collaboration. Whether you're a small startup or a large enterprise, the right workflow automation software can make a significant difference in your business's success.