Table Of Contents
- Microsoft Power Automate
- Zapier
- HubSpot
- Kissflow
- Appian
- Bizagi
- UiPath
- Which is Most Suitable for Your Business?
- Why Off-the-Shelf Automation Tools Might Not Cut It
- The Business Case for Bespoke Automation
Automation is the key to freeing up your team, reducing errors, and making your business run smoother. But with so many tools on the market, how do you know which one is right for you?
We’ve rounded up the top business process automation software, broken down their features, and even explored why a bespoke solution might be your best bet. Whether you’re looking to streamline workflows, scale operations, or finally ditch those clunky manual processes, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in.
Microsoft Power Automate
Microsoft Power Automate puts the power of automation into the hands of every employee - no IT degree required. Its standout compatibility with Microsoft 365 and third-party apps ensures businesses can connect their tools, simplify workflows, and free up valuable time to focus on big-picture goals.
This is the go-to solution for everything from automating approvals to integrating those legacy systems that refuse to play nice. Power Automate is the practical, scalable answer to workflow woes, no matter your industry.
Key Features of Microsoft Power Automate
- Visual drag-and-drop interface for easy automation design.
- Pre-built connectors and templates to kick-start your projects.
- Intelligent features for smarter, faster document handling.
- Works perfectly with Microsoft 365, Teams, and more.
- RPA capabilities to modernise your older systems.
Pricing
- Premium: £12.30/user/month.
- Process: £123.30/bot/month.
- Hosted: £176.70/bot/month
Zapier
This cloud-based platform empowers teams to create "Zaps" - custom workflows that eliminate manual, repetitive tasks. Whether you're juggling leads or syncing customer data, Zapier works like a backstage crew, ensuring everything runs smoothly without you lifting a finger.
It’s very flexible, handling simple automations and complex, multi-step workflows alike. Zapier is great for scaling businesses, connecting 2,000+ apps like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Slack to keep every department in sync.
Key Features of Zapier
- Design "Zaps" with filters and conditional logic.
- Supports over 2,000 apps, from productivity tools to CRM powerhouses.
- API and webhook capabilities for advanced users.
- Automations fire off as often as every minute.
- Build workflows without touching a single line of code.
Pricing
- Free: Unlimited Zaps, 100 tasks per month.
- Professional: £16.37/month.
- Team: £56.49/month.
HubSpot
HubSpot is more than just a CRM; it’s a full-scale automation powerhouse for marketing, sales, and service teams. With its all-in-one platform, HubSpot slashes customer acquisition costs and boosts qualified leads while helping your team deliver a seamless customer experience.
Whether you’re automating follow-ups, personalising campaigns, or managing tickets, HubSpot’s user-friendly tools are here to make your workflows smarter and your customers happier.
Key Features of HubSpot
- Automate campaigns, schedule posts, and personalise content effortlessly.
- Automate follow-ups and streamline pipelines.
- Smart ticket routing and customer feedback tools.
- Optimise everything from content strategy to lead nurturing.
- Build automations tailored to your business.
Pricing
- CRM Suite: Free to £3740/month.
- Marketing Hub: From £14/month to £3000/month.
Kissflow
Kissflow is your low-code/no-code secret weapon for automating workflows and managing processes. Built on Google Cloud, it’s designed for simplicity, enabling businesses to streamline operations without needing a team of developers.
Perfect for businesses looking to cut through the complexity of traditional automation, Kissflow delivers flexibility and control while keeping IT involvement to a minimum.
Key Features of Kissflow
- Drag-and-drop visual builder with pre-built templates.
- Create dynamic forms with advanced logic and pre-populated fields.
- Connects to 400+ cloud services via Zapier and integrates seamlessly with Google Apps.
- Get SLA tracking, notifications, and performance metrics at a glance.
- SSL encryption and global data storage options.
Pricing
- Basic Plan: $1,500/month.
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing based on business needs.
Appian
Appian is a low-code platform, so is designed for speed and simplicity. With features like end-to-end orchestration and AI-powered insights, Appian automates tasks and transforms how your teams manage workflows.
Key Features of Appian
- Drag-and-drop interface for building and deploying apps fast.
- Manage workflows, RPA bots, and AI models in one platform.
- AI and machine learning for smarter decision-making.
- Hundreds of pre-built connectors and robust API capabilities.
- Handles billions of transactions with ease.
Pricing
- Standard Plan: $75/user/month.
- Advanced and Premium Plans: Custom pricing.
- Free Community Edition: Explore the platform at no cost.
Bizagi
Bizagi combines ease of use with powerful automation to help businesses model, automate, and optimise their processes. Known for its user-friendly design, this platform makes it simple for teams to collaborate while leveraging advanced tools like RPA and AI to drive efficiency.
From visually mapping workflows to deploying them seamlessly across channels, Bizagi adapts to your needs and helps you stay ahead in a fast-changing business landscape.
Key Features of Bizagi
- Create workflows with BPMN standards for clarity.
- Web, mobile, and chatbot interfaces for ultimate flexibility.
- Tools like activity feeds to keep teams aligned.
- Automate repetitive tasks with bots and AI.
- Cloud-native or on-premise options.
Pricing
- Custom pricing that depends on the number of users, processes, and integrations.
UiPath
UiPath is the gold standard in Robotic Process Automation (RPA), helping businesses save time and money by automating the repetitive, time-consuming tasks that drain resources. By combining AI and machine learning with powerful RPA capabilities, UiPath allows businesses to focus on strategic goals rather than mundane processes.
With its scalable architecture and user-friendly tools, UiPath is ideal for businesses of any size, particularly those in highly regulated industries requiring robust security and compliance.
Key Features of UiPath
- Drag-and-drop builder with pre-built components for rapid workflow design.
- Centralised control for managing, monitoring, and deploying bots.
- Attended and unattended bots to handle tasks independently or with user input.
- Intelligent document processing and decision-making.
- Compatible with virtual machines, desktops, and servers.
Pricing
- User Licenses: From £1,500 to £5,900.
- Robot Licenses: From £500 to £9,000.
- Enterprise Packages: Starting at £34,000 for comprehensive solutions.
Which is Most Suitable for Your Business?
| Software | Ease of Use | Scalability | Integration Capabilities | Cost-Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Power Automate | Drag-and-drop workflow design with pre-built templates for quick implementation. | Seamlessly scales from small teams to enterprise-level operations with robust RPA support. | Over 1,000 pre-built connectors, including full Microsoft 365 integration and legacy system compatibility. | Free trial, and starts at £12.30/user/month, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes. |
| Zapier | Intuitive interface to create custom workflows (“Zaps”) without coding expertise. | Flexible plans to accommodate both small businesses and large organizations. | Connects 2,000+ apps, including Salesforce, HubSpot, and Slack, with advanced API options for custom needs. | Free plan available; premium plans start at £16.37/month for individuals. |
| HubSpot | User-friendly CRM with easy setup and tailored workflows for marketing, sales, and customer service. | Designed to grow with your business, from startups to enterprises, with a full suite of automation tools. | Deep integration with major platforms, including Google Workspace and LinkedIn, plus built-in analytics. | Free tier for basic needs; professional plans start at £702/month for advanced automation. |
| Kissflow | Low-code/no-code platform with a visual designer for straightforward workflow building. | Scales efficiently, with enterprise-grade options for larger organizations needing custom automation. | Integrates with Google Apps and 400+ cloud services via Zapier; built for seamless collaboration. | Starts at $1,500/month, offering robust functionality for growing businesses. |
| Appian | Drag-and-drop interface for quick application development, even for complex workflows. | Enterprise-ready, handling billions of transactions with minimal strain on resources. | Hundreds of pre-built connectors and unified data fabric for easy, scalable integration. | Starts at $75/user/month, with free community edition available for exploring capabilities. |
| Bizagi | Visual process modeling with a simple, low-code environment for easy customisations. | Omnichannel interfaces and flexible deployment options for businesses of any size. | Integrates with ERPs, CRMs, and databases; supports both cloud and on-premise environments. | Custom pricing based on users and processes; scalable plans to fit varying budgets. |
| UiPath | Drag-and-drop design interface with pre-built activities; no programming required. | Built to scale with attended and unattended bots, ideal for regulated industries or large enterprises. | Compatible with virtual machines, desktops, and servers; AI-powered document processing. | Starts at £1,500/license; comprehensive enterprise packages from £34,000 for extensive automation needs. |
Why Off-the-Shelf Automation Tools Might Not Cut It
Off-the-shelf automation tools like Power Automate, Zapier, and UiPath are undeniably powerful, but they’re not without their limitations. Let’s break down where they might fall short - and why a bespoke solution could be the answer you’re looking for.
1. One-Size-Fits-All Isn’t Always a Fit
These platforms are built to serve a wide range of businesses, which means they’re not tailored to yours. You’ll often find yourself bending your processes to fit the tool, rather than the tool adapting to you. That’s fine for some tasks, but when it comes to the complex, unique workflows that drive your business, cookie-cutter solutions can leave gaps.
2. Hidden Complexity
Automation tools promise simplicity, but the reality isn’t always so straightforward. Connecting systems, dealing with edge cases, and ensuring data flows seamlessly can require significant technical know-how. Without the right expertise, you could spend more time troubleshooting than automating.
3. Scalability Challenges
While these tools offer scalability, there’s often a ceiling. As your business grows, so do your needs - and you may quickly outgrow a tool’s capabilities or face spiraling costs to keep up with demand. Bespoke solutions, on the other hand, are built to grow with you.
4. Integration Limitations
Off-the-shelf tools can struggle to integrate with legacy systems or industry-specific platforms. If your business relies on niche software or heavily customised systems, these tools might leave critical gaps in your workflows.
5. Ownership and Flexibility
When you use SaaS tools, you’re locked into their ecosystem. Pricing changes, feature limitations, or even platform shutdowns can disrupt your operations. A bespoke solution gives you full ownership of the code, offering the freedom to adapt and evolve without being tied to a third party.
The Business Case for Bespoke Automation
Here’s the good news: a custom-built automation solution eliminates these headaches. It’s designed specifically for your business, ensuring every process is optimised to fit how you work - not the other way around.
- Solve Your Process Problems for Good: Bespoke automation doesn’t just patch over inefficiencies; it eliminates them entirely by addressing the root cause.
- Future-Proof Your Business: Built with scalability in mind, custom solutions evolve with your business, ensuring you won’t hit any roadblocks as you grow.
- Own Your Automation: With a bespoke solution, you’re in control. No licensing traps, no sudden price hikes—just a system that works for you, on your terms.
- Get Exactly What You Need: Every feature, every integration, every detail is crafted to match your business goals, ensuring no wasted time or resources.
Off-the-shelf tools can work well, but you may find yourself limited as you grow or introduce new processes. It’s here that a bespoke solution shines. With the right help, you can build a system that works exactly the way you need it to - because in 2025, your business deserves nothing less.
Ready to Automate Your Processes?
While off-the-shelf tools can get you part of the way, a bespoke solution ensures your processes work seamlessly, grow with your business, and eliminate inefficiencies for good.
At Wakeflow, we specialise in crafting custom automation solutions that fit your unique needs. From identifying bottlenecks to building systems that run on autopilot, we’re here to solve your process problems for good.
Let’s put an end to manual tasks and broken workflows. Ready to get started? Contact us today and discover how we can transform your processes—and your business.
