10 Best Workflow Automation Software To Use In 2023

Best Workflow Automation Software List

Here’s my list of the best workflow automation software:

1. 1.

   monday.com

   — Best built-in workflow automation for teams of all sizes

   

2. 2.

   Wrike

   — Best workflow enhancement driven by a powerful automation engine

3. 3.

   Height

   — Best no-code workflow automations to help with repetitive & time-consuming tasks

4. 4.

   Kissflow Workflow

   — Best no-code workflow automation software with a template bank

5. 5.

   DocuWare

   — Best to workflow automation tool to streamline document storage & management

6. 6.

   Hive

   — Best workflow automation software for beginners

7. 7.

   Adobe Workfront

   — Workflow automation built for enterprise-scale organizations

8. 8.

   Boomi Flow

   — Low-code workflow automation

9. 9.

   ClickUp

   — Workflow automation with hundreds of pre-built templates

10. 10.

    Smartsheet

    — A dynamic workspace with advanced workflow automation features

Managing complex projects manually soon becomes overwhelming. You make mistakes, miss necessary steps, and your team members get lost and confused in the resulting mess. That’s no way to run a business. Fortunately, workflow automation software is here to help. 

Workflow automation software uses rule-based logic to run sequences of tasks without human intervention. You set up the rules once, and then the software takes care of getting things done. All you have to do is sit back, monitor progress, and hope you didn’t mess up any of the steps, or it will need your intervention.

The overviews below will help you understand these tools more Information in-depth. However, if you have general questions about the topic, jump to the FAQ section and learn a bit more about workflow automation.

Overviews of the Best Workflow Automation Software

Here’s a brief description of each workflow automation system to showcase each tool’s best use case and noteworthy features. Feel free to check out how I picked the software on this list at any time.

1

monday.com

Best built-in workflow automation for teams of all sizes

monday.com is a work management platform that has an automation module that helps you be more productive at work. he workflow automation features cut out repetitive tasks and ensure that priority matters get the most attention.

Why I picked monday.com: The automations builder is extremely easy to use. You can either build automations from scratch or select one of the many automation templates available in the platform. There is even automations built for some of monday.com’s pre-built automations, like Clearbit and Slack.

Automatic due-date notifications can be added to tasks to ensure that deadlines are hit. Team members can easily confirm that they are on track. Alternatively, they can update the schedule in line with recent developments.

monday.com Standout Features & Integrations

Features include resource and project management, time tracking, collaboration, file management, collaborative docs and reporting dashboards.

Integrations include project management apps like Slack, Google Drive, Gmail, Typeform, Trello, Twilio, Google Calendar, Jira, GitHub, Trello, Dropbox, Typeform and many more, accessible via Zapier.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.

4.7

6745

14-day free trial + freemium plan available

From $8/user/month (billed annually, min 3 seats)

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2

Wrike

Best workflow enhancement driven by a powerful automation engine

Wrike is a proven work management platform that includes advanced workflow improvement features. The automation engine puts everyday business processes on autopilot, cutting out time-wasting busywork.

Why I picked Wrike: The software alerts team members of potential blocking issues that jeopardize timelines. Custom messaging, reminders, notifications, and @mentions keep everyone on track.

The automation engine uses rules, triggers, and actions to determine flow and required steps. Stakeholders are informed of task status changes, new projects, and potential risks.

Wrike Standout Features & Integrations

Features include pre-built templates, custom request forms, interactive Gantt charts, visual proofing, workflow automations, time tracking, project portfolio management, and dashboards.

Integrations include over 400 cloud and on-premises apps, including CRM, email, chat, file storage, and business intelligence.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.

4.2

2544

Free plan available

From $9.80/user/month

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3

Height

Best no-code workflow automations to help with repetitive & time-consuming tasks

Height is a flexible and inclusive project management tool that can be shared across the entire organization. It enables users to effectively centralize their workspace, allowing every team member and stakeholder to work together, share information, submit work requests, and keep track of tasks together.

Why I picked Height: Height offers no-code automations to help with repetitive and time-consuming tasks. While it’s still in beta release, the automations feature is tailored to facilitate robust multi-step workflows. Users can use the tool to create complex workflows with as many triggers, actions, and filters as they want.

The task management solution allows users to plan, organize, and manage their tasks and projects in one location. It will serve as a hub for team members working on the same project, where they will find their assigned tasks, share documents, and work together as a productive unit. The roadmaps feature enables project heads to plan, visualize, and share their vision for their product or upcoming project over a period of time.

Height app users can also run live brainstorming sessions with team members, key stakeholders, and clients to cook up and record new ideas, solutions, project proposals for key products and services. The app also offers reusable templates or premade to-do lists that can be used for marketing events, product launches, and new hire onboarding with just a few clicks.

Height Standout Features & Integrations

Features include customizable workflows, task forms to collect user data, multiple task views, real-time chat, and smart lists with dynamically pulled filters.

Integrations include GitHub, GitLab, Notion, Sentry, Zendesk, Slack, Discord, Figma, Slab, and Fivetran.

A 30-day free trial is available, as well as a completely free version with a few restrictions.

30-day free trial available

From $8.50/user/month

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4

Kissflow Workflow

Best no-code workflow automation software with a template bank

Kissflow Workflow is a no-code workflow management and automation software that can help teams track and improve their processes and identify bottlenecks.

Why I picked Kissflow Workflow: This software has a large bank of workflow templates to choose from, or you can opt to build your own. The drag-and-drop form builder is accessible to people without coding experience, helping any type of team set up a standardized request process. Built with simplicity in mind, the software’s visual workflows help give a high-level picture to spot opportunities to streamline or eliminate bottlenecks. Pre-built reports help teams track their productivity and efficiency over time.

Kissflow Workflow Standout Features & Integrations

Features include drag-and-drop form builder, workflow templates, linear and branched steps, conditions, pre-built reports, stakeholders, automated task assignment, automated notifications, and a mobile app.

Integrations include Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Docs, etc.), and an API is available to build additional integrations.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.

4.3

509

Free demo available

From $15/user/monthly

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5

DocuWare

Best to workflow automation tool to streamline document storage & management

DocuWare is a powerful workflow automation software solution used to streamline business processes.

Why I picked DocuWare: It provides users with the tools they need to create automated workflows, helping them increase their efficiency and reduce costs. This cloud-based document management system offers features like drag-and-drop functionality, real-time collaboration capabilities, and secure access control.

Not only does DocuWare enable businesses to automate tedious tasks such as document routing, approvals, and notifications; but it also helps eliminate manual errors associated with paper processing. Moreover, the platform’s mobile app allows employees to stay connected whenever they’re on the go – providing them access to all the essential documents needed for their job from any device or location. With its customizable options, users can easily create rules for specific types of documents and automate their entire workflow process in no time.

DocuWare Standout Features & Integrations

Features include intelligent indexing, forms for data capture, barcode recognition, file import, documents from MS Teams, and indexing data export.

Integrations include over 500 different applications across email, team portals, CRM, ERP, HR systems, including Microsoft Dynamics, Sage, QuickBooks, and SAP.

DocuWare offers pricing upon request. They have a 30-day free trial and free demo to get you started.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.

4.4

197

30-day free trial + free demo

Pricing upon request

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6

Hive

Best workflow automation software for beginners

Hive is a project management platform that is constantly making improvements based on user feedback. The platform lets you see your information in different views, whether you are handling a single project or an entire portfolio.

Why I picked Hive: Automations within Hive are known as recipes, and they are created through the use of actions and triggers. The automation builder is a drag-and-drop interface where you can build recipes that involve either project information from Hive or import information from other software, known as apps.

Among the automations you can build are assigning tasks, creating tasks, changing statuses, and basically anything you can think of. Plus, you are not limited to actions within Hive. Thanks to integrations, you can update information on other tools as well.

Hive Standout Features & Integrations

Features include customizable dashboards, task management, collaboration, resource management, time tracking, mobile app, Agile methodologies, reporting & analytics, file sharing, and third-party integrations.

Integrations include over a thousand different apps. These include Zoom, Jira, Slack, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, and many more through a Zapier (third-party) integration.

A free version of the software is available for individuals.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.

4.6

417

14-day free trial

From $16/user/month

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7

Adobe Workfront

Workflow automation built for enterprise-scale organizations

Now an Adobe company, Workfront aims to unlock organizational productivity at the enterprise level.

Why I picked Adobe Workfront: The process management software prioritizes requests, assigns work to teams, and automates approvals. From onboarding to delivery, digital assets are automatically built, reviewed, approved, and tagged to associated projects.

Workfront simplifies digital reviews and approvals, as well as providing real-time status updates. It accelerates content delivery by surfacing the correct information and tying project information to assets and social media.

Wrike Standout Features & Integrations

Features include pre-built templates, custom request forms, interactive Gantt charts, visual proofing, workflow automations, time tracking, project portfolio management, and dashboards.

Integrations. Wrike offers 400+ pre-built native integrations, including the most popular file management software from Microsoft, Google, and Dropbox, along with sales and marketing software from Salesforce and Marketo, and creative apps from Adobe.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.

4.1

896

Free demo available

Pricing upon request

Visit Website

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8

Boomi Flow

Low-code workflow automation

Boomi Flow is an interactive multi-cloud platform that delivers low-code workflow automation.

Why I picked Boomi Flow: The drag-and-drop interface makes it simple to build workflows and deploy apps faster. You can convert flow diagrams into fully-functional apps and publish automations with a single click. Boomi Flow is built for flexibility, running on any device, platform, or channel.

The low-code implementation encourages faster innovation and allows workflows to be deployed rapidly without custom coding. By removing the usability barriers caused by legacy software, Boomi Flow helps stakeholders work together for better results.

Boomi Flow Standout Features & Integrations

Features include a flow canvas, pre-built connectors, a flow library with templates, troubleshooting capabilities, multi-cloud runtime, and reusable components.

Integrations. Boomi Flow integrates with various CRM, ERP, and HR platforms via the Flow Services Server. This includes AWS, SAP, Salesforce, and Oracle.

30-day free trial

Pricing upon request

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9

ClickUp

Workflow automation with hundreds of pre-built templates

ClickUp is a cloud-based project management and team collaboration platform. Popular with agencies, this tool offers workflow features such as task assignment, statuses, alerts, and a task management toolbar.

Thanks to ClickUp automations, managers can create combinations of triggers and actions that replace manual procedures. They can choose from the hundreds of prebuilt templates or create custom automations.

Multiple actions can be chained together, and conditions can be set to determine when automations should run. The software can send notifications when specified events occur.

ClickUp integrates with a wide range of business software, including Slack, Github and Zapier.

This tool costs from $5/user/month. A free plan with limited features is also available.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.

4.7

4135

Freemium plan available

From $9/user/month

Visit Website

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10

Smartsheet

A dynamic workspace with advanced workflow automation features

Smartsheet is a user-friendly work execution and collaboration platform based on a Excel spreadsheet-style interface. It helps teams plan, track and manage projects in real-time.

Smartsheet automation empowers you to automate multiple actions and scenarios in a single workflow. This workflow can be repeated on any desired schedule.

Team members can use recurring reminders to keep work on track or set up daily reminders for any task. They can also automate status updates and streamline the approval process.

Smartsheet integrates with many enterprise-level suites, including Microsoft Teams, Adobe Creative Cloud, Slack, and Salesforce Connector.

This tool costs from $7/user/month, and a 30-day free trial is available.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.

4.4

7399

Freemium version available

From $7/user/month

Visit Website

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Need expert help selecting the right Workflow Automation Software?

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Other Tools

1. Jotform Enterprise

   Best enterprise workflow automation with approval & e-signature tools

2. Jira Software

   Best workflow solutions for agile teams

3. Integrify

   Best workflow automation software that helps you scale easily

4. Kantata

   Workflow automation tools for professional services organizations

5. Camunda Platform

   Best for modeling and deploying diagrams with BPMN & DMN

6. Assembly

   Save time with 100s of customizable templates, automate any task, and get real-time insights

7. Qntrl

   Best for creating workflow automations that integrate with complex tech stacks

8. Kissflow

   An end-to-end workflow platform offering painless inter-process integrations

How I Picked The Best Workflow Automation Software

In picking the best workflow automation tool, I first researched the most popular software on the market for its reviews and user interface. Then I shortlisted based on factors that make software a good automation tool for any team. Finally, I used my experience in project automation to select the criteria by which I would evaluate the tools and inform my overviews.

Here’s a summary of my evaluation criteria: 

User Interface (UI)

I look for workflow management tools that are visually attractive. Building workflow automations requires concentration, and you don’t need a tool that requires brain power to figure it out.

Usability

I focus on all the ways in which the software helps you automate a manual process. This includes the use of a drag-and-drop builder 

Integrations

I look for integrations with popular productivity apps and business tools. This includes built-in integrations with common apps like Google Drive or Slack, integrations through 3rd party software like Zapier, and custom integrations.

Pricing

I look for workflow automation that’s affordable, even for smaller organizations. Therefore, I include information on tool pricing based on monthly payments, free trials, demos and any information I find useful for you.

Workflow Automation FAQs

Find answers to common questions about this topic.

What is workflow automation?

Workflow automation, sometimes known as process automation, is the automatic sequencing of tasks to complete an activity. This automation is rule based, and does not require human intervention once it’s set up.

Workflow automation can be used to automate a variety of tasks, including data entry, document management, task assignment and tracking, and email communication.

Read more in our workflow automation guide.

What is workflow automation software?

Workflow automation software is a digital low-code solution that allows you to automate tasks and usually includes:

• An automation builder with drag-and-drop capabilities
• A notification system that can be set to in-app information displays or email alerts
• A list of triggers that you can use to make decisions within a flow
• Audit trails so you can review the steps that were taken on each flow

Discover more information in our beginner’s guide to workflow automation software.

Why is workflow automation important?

Workflow automation is important because it can help you save money, be more productive, and reduce errors. Once you set up your automation, the system takes over the execution of tasks and decision making in between steps based on the logic you provided. This reduces or eliminates human intervention completely.

Automation helps you save money and reduce errors by decreasing human intervention. In a larger scale, automation can even substitute the work of a human that would be paid for a repetitive task, such as the examples we saw in the automotive industry’s production lines.

Automation increases productivity since it will reduce the time in between the execution of one task vs the next. Especially in workflows that require approvals and these can be automated based on certain conditions. Additionally, it will allow you to use the time you would have spent in those tasks doing other things that carry more impact for your organization.

What is a workflow automation example?

A workflow automation example is a newsletter subscription. Without an automation, someone has to be attentive to new subscribers so they can send them a welcome email and then monitor the open rate stats and make decisions based on how many people have seen the content. A quick workflow automation would look like this:

What features should I look for when selecting workflow automation software?

I expect workflow management systems to include core features such as:

1. An intuitive user interface: deploying easy-to-understand solutions such as drag-and-drop designs, pre-built reports, customizable templates, and simple dashboards.
2. Flexible visual workflows: allowing users to choose the view that suits them best, from Kanban boards to workflow diagrams.
3. Automatic processes: reducing manual input and errors through automatic status updates, task assignments, API calls, etc.
4. Comprehensive notifications: reminders sent via email, text, or within the platform to notify team members of pending tasks and approvals.
5. Audit trails: predefined rules for dealing with issues and tracking the actions taken.
6. Role-based access control: provisioning permissions and access levels according to employee job function and requirements.
7. KPI-focused reports: feedback based on key performance indicators to ensure that priority issues get the attention they deserve.
8. Status indicators: identifying issues that need attention, problems in the workflow, and oversights that need correction.
9. Interoperability: well-implemented connections to apps such as ERP, CRM, document management and calendars.
10. A cloud-based solution: taking advantage of cloud implementation to enable access from anywhere, lower costs, and reduced risk of data loss.

Other lists from this topic:

What’s Next?

If you want to dig deeper into the logic behind workflow automation tools, I suggest you read our ultimate guide on workflows and workflow diagrams for project managers.

Related tool lists:

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