In the rapidly evolving world of robotic process automation (RPA), two prominent players stand out: Fortra’s Automate and Microsoft’s Power Automate. While both offer robust automation capabilities, they each cater to different needs and user bases.
In this head-to-head matchup of RPA platforms, we’ll explore how these tools stack up against each other on licensing, functionality, support, services, and training.
Licensing and Pricing
Automate offers simple licensing that includes a range of features without hidden costs. And Automate pricing is upfront, providing organizations with a clear understanding of costs associated with beginning and scaling their automation efforts.
Power Automate offers a mix of free and paid plans. Basic functionalities are available to Microsoft 365 users, especially those with an E5 license. However, advanced functionalities and integrations can lead to additional costs. One of the significant challenges with Power Automate is the potential for unexpected price increases as more advanced features are utilized. Users often start with the free tier, only to quickly realize they need paid features to fully meet their automation needs.
Functionality and Integrations
Automate provides extensive capabilities for complex automation scenarios, including advanced scheduling, detailed error handling, and robust integration options for a more comprehensive automation experience. Automate also offers seamless integration out of the box with a wide range of third-party applications beyond the Microsoft ecosystem, making it versatile for diverse environments. Automate easily integrates with SAP, legacy systems, and custom APIs without premium connector fees.
Power Automate excels within the Microsoft ecosystem, offering tight integration with Office 365, Dynamics 365, and other Microsoft products. This means you're limited in your automation outside of Microsoft and when it comes to integrating with non-Microsoft applications, Power Automate can be less effective and often requires additional connectors or custom solutions, which can add to the complexity and cost.
User Experience: Web vs. Desktop
Automate offers a unified, consistent, and intuitive user interface for creating and managing automation workflows. On-premises deployment provides reliable execution with full audit trails. Plus, Automate has over 30 years of reliability and platform stability. No-code automation features—like a drag-and-drop interface and extensive library of pre-built actions—simplify the creation of automation tasks for users of all technical levels. Automate features 30+ actions and 700+ activities with interactive date/array/JSON manipulation. The added benefit of a custom action framework also allows for complete customization for your individual needs.
Power Automate’s distinction between web and desktop versions can be confusing. The web version focuses on simpler workflows and integrations, while the desktop version (Power Automate Desktop) is designed for more complex tasks and desktop automation. And users often report breaking changes within Power Automate. Users often face a learning curve when transitioning between the two versions, which can slow down implementation and reduce efficiency.
Support and Services
Automate offers comprehensive support services, including direct access to support teams, extensive documentation, and active user communities. Automate puts a high emphasis on customer success with dedicated resources to help organizations maximize their automation ROI.
As part of the Microsoft suite, Power Automate benefits from Microsoft's extensive support infrastructure. However, accessing personalized support can sometimes be challenging and slow due to the scale of Microsoft's operations. There are numerous online resources, but personalized support might not always be readily available or cost-effective.
Training and Learning Resources
Automate offers a mix of free and paid training resources, including webinars, tutorials, and certification programs tailored to different user levels. Specific programs are designed to ensure customers maximize the value of their automation solutions. These include onboarding assistance, solution configuration, best practices, and expert advice.
Power Automate uses Microsoft Learning Paths that provide extensive documentation and learning paths through Microsoft Learn, many of which are free. While basic training resources are free, advanced certifications and specialized training often come at a cost, which can add up for organizations seeking in-depth expertise.
Automate vs. Power Automate: Which is the Right Fit for Your Needs?
Both Fortra’s Automate and Microsoft’s Power Automate offer powerful RPA capabilities, but they cater to different needs. Automate is ideal for organizations looking for clear, scalable, and versatile automation solutions with robust support and third-party integration—with fast implementation and quick ROI. On the other hand, Power Automate is a strong choice for those deeply embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem, leveraging its native integration with Microsoft products.
When deciding between the two, consider your organization’s specific needs, existing infrastructure, and long-term automation goals. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each platform, you can choose the one that best aligns with your strategic objectives and delivers the most value for your automation efforts.
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