Power Automate
Automation · Free · since 2016
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Power Automate is a microsoft's automation platform connecting 400+ services with desktop and cloud flows. It handles desktop flows, cloud flows, ai builder, and 400+ connectors, and it's best suited for microsoft 365 teams wanting enterprise automation. It has been around since 2016, giving it a 10-year head start in building out integrations and refining the product.
The free plan is free with m365 limits — enough for most people to evaluate whether it fits. Paid plans start at $15/user/mo, which unlocks the full feature set. It's built for enterprise teams, so expect robust admin controls and compliance features, but also more complexity than lightweight alternatives.
pros
- Includes Desktop Flows as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows
- Includes Cloud Flows as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows
- Free with M365 limits — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
- Includes ai builder alongside the core feature set — fewer separate tools needed
cons
- Free plan has meaningful restrictions: free with m365 limits
- Enterprise-focused design means the interface can feel heavy for smaller teams
- Complex automations can break silently if a connected service changes its API
- Overkill for freelancers or small teams who need something lightweight
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