Quick Overview
- 1#1: n8n - Open-source workflow automation tool for building complex, custom integrations with a node-based visual editor.
- 2#2: Node-RED - Flow-based low-code programming tool for wiring together APIs, devices, and services into custom workflows.
- 3#3: Make - Visual no-code platform for creating advanced, custom automations between thousands of apps.
- 4#4: Pipedream - Developer-first serverless platform for building and running custom API workflows and integrations.
- 5#5: Temporal - Durable execution platform for developers to build reliable, scalable custom workflows in code.
- 6#6: Zapier - No-code automation tool connecting over 7,000 apps to create simple to moderately custom workflows.
- 7#7: Camunda - BPMN-based platform for modeling, automating, and monitoring enterprise-grade custom processes.
- 8#8: Tray.io - Enterprise iPaaS for building scalable, custom multi-step workflows across complex app ecosystems.
- 9#9: Workato - Embedded iPaaS platform for enterprise teams to automate custom recipes across apps and data.
- 10#10: Microsoft Power Automate - Low-code RPA and workflow automation service integrated with Microsoft ecosystem for custom flows.
We ranked these tools by evaluating key factors including workflow complexity support, ease of use across skill levels, integration capabilities, and overall value, ensuring they deliver reliable, versatile solutions for diverse business and technical requirements.
Comparison Table
Explore the world of custom workflow software with our comparison table, featuring tools like n8n, Node-RED, Make, Pipedream, Temporal, and others. Discover key factors such as integration options, user-friendliness, and specialized use cases to help identify the ideal solution for automating unique processes.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | n8n Open-source workflow automation tool for building complex, custom integrations with a node-based visual editor. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.9/10 |
| 2 | Node-RED Flow-based low-code programming tool for wiring together APIs, devices, and services into custom workflows. | other | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.9/10 |
| 3 | Make Visual no-code platform for creating advanced, custom automations between thousands of apps. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 4 | Pipedream Developer-first serverless platform for building and running custom API workflows and integrations. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 5 | Temporal Durable execution platform for developers to build reliable, scalable custom workflows in code. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 6 | Zapier No-code automation tool connecting over 7,000 apps to create simple to moderately custom workflows. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | Camunda BPMN-based platform for modeling, automating, and monitoring enterprise-grade custom processes. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 8 | Tray.io Enterprise iPaaS for building scalable, custom multi-step workflows across complex app ecosystems. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 9 | Workato Embedded iPaaS platform for enterprise teams to automate custom recipes across apps and data. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Microsoft Power Automate Low-code RPA and workflow automation service integrated with Microsoft ecosystem for custom flows. | enterprise | 8.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 |
Open-source workflow automation tool for building complex, custom integrations with a node-based visual editor.
Flow-based low-code programming tool for wiring together APIs, devices, and services into custom workflows.
Visual no-code platform for creating advanced, custom automations between thousands of apps.
Developer-first serverless platform for building and running custom API workflows and integrations.
Durable execution platform for developers to build reliable, scalable custom workflows in code.
No-code automation tool connecting over 7,000 apps to create simple to moderately custom workflows.
BPMN-based platform for modeling, automating, and monitoring enterprise-grade custom processes.
Enterprise iPaaS for building scalable, custom multi-step workflows across complex app ecosystems.
Embedded iPaaS platform for enterprise teams to automate custom recipes across apps and data.
Low-code RPA and workflow automation service integrated with Microsoft ecosystem for custom flows.
n8n
specializedOpen-source workflow automation tool for building complex, custom integrations with a node-based visual editor.
Fully open-source self-hosting with unlimited workflows and zero vendor lock-in
n8n is an open-source workflow automation platform that allows users to build complex, custom workflows by connecting over 400 apps and services via a visual node-based editor. It supports self-hosting for full data control and offers cloud deployment options, enabling everything from simple integrations to advanced automations with custom JavaScript code. As a fair-code licensed tool, it combines no-code ease with pro-code flexibility for scalable business processes.
Pros
- Vast library of 400+ native integrations and custom node support
- Self-hosting option for complete data privacy and no limits
- Deep customization with JavaScript, expressions, and error handling
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Self-hosting requires server setup and maintenance
- Cloud free tier limited to 2,500 executions/month
Best For
Technical teams and developers seeking a flexible, open-source platform for privacy-focused, complex workflow automations.
Pricing
Free self-hosted community edition; Cloud Starter at €20/mo (2.5k executions), Pro at €50/mo (10k executions), Enterprise custom.
Node-RED
otherFlow-based low-code programming tool for wiring together APIs, devices, and services into custom workflows.
Browser-based flow editor allowing instant wiring of nodes to connect disparate systems without traditional coding
Node-RED is a free, open-source flow-based programming tool built on Node.js that enables users to create visual workflows by wiring together nodes in a browser-based editor. It specializes in integrating IoT devices, APIs, databases, and online services to automate custom processes with minimal coding. Highly extensible via a vast library of community nodes, it's ideal for edge computing, real-time data processing, and complex event-driven automations.
Pros
- Visual drag-and-drop interface simplifies workflow creation
- Extensive ecosystem of over 5,000 community-contributed nodes
- Lightweight and deployable on resource-constrained devices like Raspberry Pi
Cons
- Complex flows can become visually cluttered and hard to manage
- Debugging intricate logic requires JavaScript knowledge
- Limited native support for advanced data transformation without custom nodes
Best For
Developers, IoT engineers, and automation specialists seeking a low-code visual tool for integrating APIs, devices, and services in custom workflows.
Pricing
Completely free and open-source with no paid tiers; optional hosted service available via FlowFuse.
Make
specializedVisual no-code platform for creating advanced, custom automations between thousands of apps.
Advanced iterator, aggregator, and router modules for handling complex arrays and conditional branching in workflows
Make (formerly Integromat) is a no-code automation platform that enables users to build complex, multi-step workflows by visually connecting over 1,500 apps and services. It supports advanced logic through modules like routers, iterators, aggregators, and data parsers, making it suitable for intricate custom automations. Unlike simpler tools, Make handles high-volume data processing and error management effectively, streamlining business processes without coding.
Pros
- Extensive library of 1,500+ app integrations
- Advanced modules for complex logic and data manipulation
- Robust error handling and scheduling capabilities
Cons
- Steep learning curve for intricate scenarios
- Operations-based pricing can escalate with high usage
- Limited free tier for production-scale workflows
Best For
Power users and businesses requiring sophisticated, multi-app automations with advanced data processing.
Pricing
Free (1,000 ops/mo); Core $10.59/mo (10k ops); Pro $18.82/mo (10k ops + teams); Teams/Enterprise custom.
Pipedream
specializedDeveloper-first serverless platform for building and running custom API workflows and integrations.
Serverless code steps that let you embed full custom logic in Node.js, Python, or Go directly in workflows
Pipedream is a serverless platform for building event-driven workflows that connect APIs, apps, and services with both no-code components and custom code in Node.js, Python, and more. It excels in real-time automations, API integrations, and scalable serverless execution, allowing users to create complex pipelines triggered by webhooks, schedules, or events. With built-in debugging, monitoring, and deployment as APIs, it's designed for developers handling high-volume, custom automation needs.
Pros
- Extensive library of 2,000+ app integrations and triggers
- Custom code steps in multiple languages with serverless scaling
- Generous free tier and pay-per-use pricing for cost efficiency
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-developers due to code-heavy focus
- Usage-based credits can lead to unpredictable costs at scale
- UI and visual editor less polished than pure no-code competitors
Best For
Developers and technical teams requiring flexible, code-enhanced workflow automation with real-time event handling.
Pricing
Free tier (100 credits/day, unlimited workflows); Pro starts at $19/month (10k credits); usage-based beyond that.
Temporal
enterpriseDurable execution platform for developers to build reliable, scalable custom workflows in code.
Durable Execution, ensuring workflows survive crashes, restarts, and indefinite durations without losing state
Temporal is an open-source platform for orchestrating durable workflows as code, enabling developers to build reliable, scalable applications that handle long-running processes, failures, and distributed transactions. It separates workflow logic from activities, providing automatic state persistence, retries, timeouts, and sagas for complex coordination. Supporting SDKs in languages like Go, Java, Python, TypeScript, PHP, and .NET, it's designed for microservices and event-driven architectures.
Pros
- Exceptional durability and fault tolerance with automatic state recovery
- Multi-language SDK support and horizontal scalability
- Open-source core with proven use in production at scale (e.g., Uber, Stripe)
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to code-first paradigm and unique concepts
- Significant operational overhead for self-hosting clusters
- Lacks visual designers, better for developers than non-technical users
Best For
Developer teams building fault-tolerant, long-running workflows in distributed systems like fintech or e-commerce platforms.
Pricing
Open-source self-hosted version is free; Temporal Cloud offers a free tier with usage-based pricing starting at $0.25 per 1,000 Actions and scales to enterprise plans.
Zapier
specializedNo-code automation tool connecting over 7,000 apps to create simple to moderately custom workflows.
Extensive ecosystem of 7,000+ app integrations with pre-built templates for instant workflow creation
Zapier is a no-code automation platform that enables users to build custom workflows, called Zaps, by connecting triggers from one app to actions in another across over 7,000 supported services. It automates repetitive tasks like data syncing, notifications, and lead management without requiring programming knowledge. With features like multi-step Zaps, filters, and paths for conditional logic, it's designed for seamless integration between popular business tools.
Pros
- Vast library of over 7,000 app integrations
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick setup
- Reliable execution with built-in error handling and scheduling
Cons
- Pricing scales rapidly with task volume and premium apps
- Limited depth for highly complex or custom logic compared to code-based tools
- Free tier caps at 100 tasks/month, restricting heavy use
Best For
Non-technical teams and SMBs seeking fast, no-code automations between everyday apps like Gmail, Slack, and CRM tools.
Pricing
Free plan (100 tasks/mo); Starter at $19.99/mo (750 tasks); Professional at $49/mo (2,000 tasks); Team/Company/Enterprise custom.
Camunda
enterpriseBPMN-based platform for modeling, automating, and monitoring enterprise-grade custom processes.
Zeebe workflow engine delivering horizontal scalability and sub-millisecond latency for mission-critical processes
Camunda is an open-source workflow and decision automation platform that enables developers and enterprises to model, automate, and monitor complex business processes using BPMN 2.0, DMN, and CMMN standards. It features a high-performance Zeebe engine for scalable orchestration, along with tools like Cockpit for monitoring, Tasklist for human tasks, and Operate for operations. Camunda excels in integrating with microservices architectures and supports both self-hosted and cloud deployments for custom workflow solutions.
Pros
- Standards-compliant BPMN/DMN modeling with visual designer
- Ultra-scalable Zeebe engine handling millions of workflows
- Robust monitoring and operations tools out-of-the-box
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-developers
- Self-hosted setup requires significant DevOps expertise
- Enterprise features and support come at a premium cost
Best For
Enterprises with engineering teams needing highly scalable, custom process orchestration in microservices environments.
Pricing
Community edition free and open-source; Camunda 8 Self-Managed from $500/month; SaaS Cloud pay-as-you-go from $0.02/execution; Enterprise custom pricing.
Tray.io
enterpriseEnterprise iPaaS for building scalable, custom multi-step workflows across complex app ecosystems.
Universal Connector for integrating any REST API or custom endpoint without predefined templates
Tray.io is a robust iPaaS platform designed for building, orchestrating, and scaling complex custom workflows that connect over 600 apps, APIs, and services without extensive coding. It features a visual drag-and-drop builder, AI-powered automation tools, and enterprise-grade governance for security, compliance, and monitoring. Ideal for automating end-to-end processes across sales, marketing, IT, and operations, it supports high-volume executions and custom logic like loops, conditions, and error handling.
Pros
- Extensive library of 600+ native connectors for seamless integrations
- Enterprise-level security, compliance (SOC 2, GDPR), and workflow governance
- Scalable for high-volume automations with AI-assisted building and embedding capabilities
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced workflows and custom logic
- Custom enterprise pricing can be expensive for small teams or startups
- Limited free tier and fewer community-driven resources than open-source alternatives
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises and SaaS companies needing secure, scalable custom workflow automation across diverse applications.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on usage and connectors; pro plans typically start at $595/month with higher tiers for advanced needs.
Workato
enterpriseEmbedded iPaaS platform for enterprise teams to automate custom recipes across apps and data.
Intelligent Recipe Builder with AI Copilots for dynamic, low-code workflow creation and optimization
Workato is an enterprise-grade integration and automation platform (iPaaS) that enables users to build custom workflows, or 'recipes,' connecting over 1,200 applications, databases, and services without extensive coding. It supports real-time data synchronization, event-driven triggers, and complex multi-step automations for business processes across departments like sales, HR, and finance. With strong emphasis on security, compliance, and scalability, it's designed for large organizations handling high-volume integrations.
Pros
- Over 1,200 pre-built connectors and recipes for rapid deployment
- Enterprise-level security, compliance (SOC 2, GDPR), and scalability
- AI-powered tools like Copilots for intelligent automation suggestions
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced custom workflows
- Usage-based pricing can become expensive at high volumes
- Limited free tier; geared toward enterprise budgets
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises needing robust, secure integrations across diverse SaaS apps and on-prem systems.
Pricing
Custom usage-based pricing (tasks/minute); starts around $10,000-$20,000/year for basic plans, scales significantly with volume.
Microsoft Power Automate
enterpriseLow-code RPA and workflow automation service integrated with Microsoft ecosystem for custom flows.
Unified RPA with desktop flows that automate interactions with legacy desktop apps alongside cloud-based workflows
Microsoft Power Automate is a low-code platform for building automated workflows that connect apps, data, and services across Microsoft and third-party ecosystems. It offers visual drag-and-drop flow creation, thousands of connectors, and advanced features like robotic process automation (RPA) through desktop and cloud flows. Ideal for streamlining repetitive tasks, approvals, and data processing without extensive programming.
Pros
- Over 1,000 connectors for seamless integration with Microsoft 365, Dynamics, and third-party apps
- Powerful RPA capabilities with desktop flows for legacy app automation
- AI Builder and Copilot for no-code AI enhancements in workflows
Cons
- Premium connectors and high-volume usage can drive up costs significantly
- Steeper learning curve for advanced custom expressions and error handling
- Stronger dependency on Microsoft ecosystem limits flexibility for non-Microsoft stacks
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises already using Microsoft 365 or Power Platform, needing scalable workflow and RPA automation.
Pricing
Free tier for basic flows; Premium at $15/user/month; Per flow plans from $0.60/1,000 flow runs; attended RPA at $40/user/month.
Conclusion
This review highlights a diverse range of workflow tools, with n8n emerging as the top choice for its node-based visual editor, ideal for building complex custom integrations. Node-RED stands out for its flow-based low-code approach, perfect for wiring APIs and devices, while Make excels with its no-code platform for advanced multi-app automations. Each tool caters to distinct needs, ensuring the right fit for various user scenarios.
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore n8n—its flexibility and robust features make it a standout choice to streamline your workflow processes and unlock custom automation potential.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison