Skip to content
FIVE PICKED

Software & Productivity · The 5 best

Automation

Tools that connect your apps and automate repetitive tasks so they run without you. We compared the options and narrowed them down to five. Each one is ranked, with a clear note on who it suits best.

Last updated

Some links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

The 5 at a glance

Comparison of the 5 picks for Automation
ToolBest forStarting price
Rank 1MakePeople who want powerful workflows without codeFree plan available; paid from about $9/month
Rank 2n8nTech-savvy users and teams that want controlFree to self-host; cloud from about €20/month
Rank 3Pabbly ConnectHigh-volume automations on a fixed budgetFree plan available; paid from about $19/month
Rank 4ActivepiecesBeginners and small teams who want to start freeFree plan available; extra flows from about $5/month each
Rank 5LatenodeBuilders who want AI agents and automation in one placeFree plan available; see website for paid plans

Our 5 picks, ranked

  1. Rank 1

    Make

    Visual automation for connecting your apps.

    Best forPeople who want powerful workflows without code

    What it does

    Make lets you connect apps and build automated workflows on a visual canvas, so you can see how your data moves.

    Strengths

    • Visual canvas shows how data flows
    • Large number of app integrations
    • Low entry price for the volume
    • A free plan available

    Good to know: Complex scenarios take practice, and usage is measured in credits.

  2. Rank 2

    n8n

    Open-source automation with a self-hosting option.

    Best forTech-savvy users and teams that want control

    What it does

    n8n is a flexible automation tool you can run on your own server for free, or use in the cloud.

    Strengths

    • Free to self-host with no execution limits
    • Flexible, code-friendly workflows
    • AI workflow tools
    • Cloud option if you don’t want a server

    Good to know: It is more technical than other tools, and self-hosting means you manage the server.

  3. Rank 3

    Pabbly Connect

    Flat-rate automation with no per-step surprises.

    Best forHigh-volume automations on a fixed budget

    What it does

    Pabbly Connect links your apps and automates tasks, with plans built around generous task volumes and, at times, lifetime deals.

    Strengths

    • Plans with generous task volumes
    • Lifetime deals sometimes available
    • Many app integrations
    • A free plan to try it

    Good to know: Its app library is smaller than the biggest tools’, and the interface is simpler.

  4. Rank 4

    Activepieces

    Open-source automation with a free cloud allowance.

    Best forBeginners and small teams who want to start free

    What it does

    Activepieces is an open-source automation platform that lets you build workflows with AI steps and run them in the cloud or on your own server.

    Strengths

    • A free plan with active flows included
    • Open source, with self-hosting
    • AI agents and AI steps
    • Simple per-flow pricing

    Good to know: It has fewer integrations than the biggest tools, and it is a newer platform.

  5. Rank 5

    Latenode

    Automation with built-in AI and code when you need it.

    Best forBuilders who want AI agents and automation in one place

    What it does

    Latenode combines a visual workflow builder with AI agents and code steps, so you can start simple and go deeper later.

    Strengths

    • Visual builder with AI agents
    • Code steps for custom logic
    • Headless browser automation
    • A free plan available

    Good to know: It is a newer platform with a smaller community than the leaders.