Power Automate
Microsoft's low-code automation platform. The strongest choice for M365 customers.
- Automation
- Microsoft
- Included in some Microsoft 365 licences / Premium $15 per user per month
What is Power Automate?
Power Automate, formerly Microsoft Flow, connects more than 1,000 applications and automates workflows. Its strengths are close integration with Microsoft products, desktop robotic process automation and a free entitlement included with many Microsoft 365 licences.
How can a business use it day to day?
Concrete use cases for entrepreneurs and knowledge workers:
Email to SharePoint
Save email attachments automatically.
Approval workflows
Request approval from a manager in Teams.
RPA desktop flows
Automate legacy systems through screen and mouse interactions.
Updating Excel
Move data from other systems into Excel automatically.
Video guides
See how Power Automate works in practice:
Power Automate tutorial
SWOT summary
Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats — from an entrepreneur's point of view.
Strengths
- Included with Microsoft 365
- RPA capabilities through Desktop flows
- Copilot helps build flows
- Large connector library
Weaknesses
- Complex flows are difficult to understand
- Premium capabilities cost extra
- The user experience is below Zapier
- Error handling requires expertise
Opportunities
- AI Builder connects AI with automation
- Part of the growing Power Platform
- Governance features for business use
- Trend towards Copilot-guided automation
Threats
- Zapier has a more advanced user experience
- n8n and Make provide open alternatives
- Cost of Premium licences
- Complexity may push users to Zapier
Other tools in the same category
Zapier
The easiest no-code automation tool. Connects 7000+ apps without programming.
→UiPath
The market leader in robotic process automation (RPA). Automates user-interface tasks.
→IFTTT
Simple "if this then that" automation. Focuses more on consumer use, but works for small businesses.
→n8n
An open source automation platform that can be self-hosted — Zapier's power user option.
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