Activepieces vs Power Automate
Activepieces is open-source automation platform with a visual builder, 100+ integrations, and self-hosting option, while Power Automate is microsoft's automation platform connecting 400+ services with desktop and cloud flows. The biggest difference up front: Activepieces is free, while Power Automate starts at $15/user/mo. Activepieces is built for teams wanting open-source workflow automation, whereas Power Automate targets microsoft 365 teams wanting enterprise automation.
| Feature | Activepieces | Power Automate |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | ✓ | — |
| 100+ Integrations | ✓ | — |
| 400+ Connectors | — | ✓ |
| AI Builder | — | ✓ |
| Cloud Flows | — | ✓ |
| Code Steps | ✓ | — |
| Desktop Flows | — | ✓ |
| Self-Hosted | ✓ | — |
| Visual Builder | ✓ | — |
Pricing: Activepieces is completely free, which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Power Automate starts at $15/user/mo, but Free with M365 limits. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: Activepieces offers 100+ Integrations, Code Steps and Self-Hosted that Power Automate lacks. Power Automate brings 400+ Connectors, AI Builder and Cloud Flows that Activepieces does not have.
Team fit: Activepieces is geared toward small teams teams, while Power Automate is aimed at enterprise teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.
Open source: Activepieces is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Power Automate is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.
Where each tool shines: Activepieces's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. includes visual builder as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows. Power Automate's biggest strengths are: includes desktop flows as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows. includes cloud flows as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows.
Watch out for: With Activepieces, users commonly note that may lack some advanced features. With Power Automate, the main complaint is that free plan has meaningful restrictions: free with m365 limits.
choose Activepieces if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams wanting open-source workflow automation
- Budget is a hard constraint — Activepieces is free, Power Automate is not
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need 100+ Integrations and Code Steps
- You care about includes visual builder as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows
choose Power Automate if
- You need a tool built for microsoft 365 teams wanting enterprise automation
- You specifically need 400+ Connectors and AI Builder
- You care about includes cloud flows as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows
- Your team size fits the enterprise profile Power Automate is designed for
- The free tier works for you: free with m365 limits
frequently asked
What is the difference between Activepieces and Power Automate?
Activepieces is open-source automation platform with a visual builder, 100+ integrations, and self-hosting option, while Power Automate is microsoft's automation platform connecting 400+ services with desktop and cloud flows. The biggest difference up front: Activepieces is free, while Power Automate starts at $15/user/mo. Activepieces is built for teams wanting open-source workflow automation, whereas Power Automate targets microsoft 365 teams wanting enterprise automation.
Should I use Activepieces or Power Automate?
Activepieces is the free option; Power Automate charges $15/user/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Activepieces over Power Automate?
Choose Activepieces if Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams wanting open-source workflow automation; Budget is a hard constraint — Activepieces is free, Power Automate is not; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need 100+ Integrations and Code Steps; You care about includes visual builder as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows.
When should I choose Power Automate over Activepieces?
Choose Power Automate if You need a tool built for microsoft 365 teams wanting enterprise automation; You specifically need 400+ Connectors and AI Builder; You care about includes cloud flows as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows; Your team size fits the enterprise profile Power Automate is designed for; The free tier works for you: free with m365 limits.
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