Best Intelligent Process Automation Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 21 tools reviewed.
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Intelligent process automation software is a valuable asset for any company. With the right software, teams can improve operational efficiency and automate repetitive tasks. But finding the right intelligent process automation software can be a challenge, especially with so many options available.
Using my experience in business software, I tested and compared several of the top intelligent process automation tools available. From there, I compiled my results into in-depth reviews to help businesses find the best software for their unique needs. I’m confident that you’ll land on your next intelligent process automation solution in the list below.
Why Trust Our Software Reviews
We’ve been testing and reviewing project and process management software since 2012. As project managers ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software. We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions. We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different project management use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & our software review methodology.
Best Intelligent Process Automation Software Summary
Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Best for AI-powered business automation | Free plan available | From $420/month | Website | |
2 | Best for low-code process automation and mining | Free plan available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
3 | Best for scalable intelligent automation | Not available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
4 | Best for all-in-one digital modernization | Free demo available | Available upon request | Website | |
5 | Best for versatility and flexibility | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
6 | Best for AI decisioning automation | Free trial available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
7 | Best for cybersecurity-focused automation | Not available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
8 | Best for enterprise iPaaS and app integrations | Free trial + free demo available | From $10,000/year (billed annually) | Website | |
9 | Best for hybrid cloud and AI integration | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
10 | Best for AI-powered workflow automation | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website |
How to Choose Intelligent Process Automation Software
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
Factor | What to Consider |
Scalability | Can the software grow with your business needs? |
Integrations | Does it integrate with your existing tools? |
Customizability | Can you tailor the software to fit your processes? |
Ease of Use | Is the software intuitive for your team to use? |
Budget | Does it fit within your financial constraints? |
Security Safeguards | Does the software offer robust data protection? |
Support | Is there reliable customer support available? |
Reporting | Does it provide detailed analytics and reports? |
-
Smartsheet
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.4 -
Wrike
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.2 -
monday.com
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6
Best Intelligent Process Automation Software Reviews
Here’s an in-depth analysis of my top intelligent process automation software choices, covering the pros and cons, key features, and best use cases for each one.
UiPath is a business automation platform with significant artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities that help organizations automate and optimize their processes. It’s designed to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and transform work through advanced automation tools.
Why I picked UiPath: This software stands out for how it leverages AI in its process mining, task mining, and intelligent document processing features to enhance automation capabilities. Users can build complex automations quickly with its low-code development environment, which is ideal for companies that want to implement sophisticated automation solutions but lack extensive programming skills.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include tools for process mining, task mining, and communications mining, which help users identify and optimize processes for better performance. UiPath's low-code development environment allows users to create custom automations easily, even for complex scenarios. Additionally, its intelligent document processing uses specialized AI to handle document-intensive tasks efficiently.
Integrations include SAP, Microsoft Azure, Google Workspace, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Amazon Web Services, Oracle, IBM, Slack, and Workday.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive process mining capabilities
- Low-code development environment
- Scalable AI-powered automation
Cons:
- Requires dedicated support for initial setup
- Potentially overwhelming feature set
Appian is a platform that automates business processes through a combination of low-code development and process mining capabilities. It helps businesses unify their data and improve operations, leading to better growth and enhanced customer experiences.
Why I picked Appian: This software enables users to build applications quickly without extensive coding. Its process mining tools offer insights into business processes, helping organizations identify bottlenecks and improve efficiency. The software also supports end-to-end automation, allowing businesses to automate repetitive tasks and focus on higher-value work. Its ability to unify data across different systems makes it easier to create comprehensive and effective business applications.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include low-code development for rapid application building, process mining capabilities, and end-to-end process automation that helps streamline operations. Appian also offers data unification across systems, which enhances the power and reach of applications built on its platform.
Integrations include Salesforce, SAP, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Oracle.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Scalable for large enterprises
- Unified data across systems
- Supports end-to-end automation
Cons:
- Customization can be limited
- Requires technical expertise for advanced features
Blue Prism is an enterprise automation platform designed to provide organizations with a scalable digital workforce. It focuses on helping businesses automate repetitive manual tasks and manage workflows efficiently, freeing up human workers to focus on higher-value tasks.
Why I picked Blue Prism: I chose this platform for its focus on scalable intelligent automation. It supports enterprise businesses along their large-scale automation journey with a centralized control room that allows users to manage and monitor digital workers, ensuring consistent performance and reliability. The platform's security and compliance features ensure that all automated processes are governed and auditable, providing peace of mind for organizations in highly regulated industries.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a no-code drag-and-drop design studio for creating automation workflows and advanced security features that provide governance and compliance for automated processes. Blue Prism also offers tools for business process management and orchestration, helping companies automate complex workflows across different departments.
Integrations include Microsoft, AWS, ABBYY, EY, and Deloitte.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- No-code design studio simplifies automation
- Centralized control for digital workers
- Highly scalable for large organizations
Cons:
- May need specialized support for setup and deployment
- Requires ongoing management and monitoring
Comidor is a digital transformation platform designed for organizations that want to modernize and automate their business processes. It caters primarily to enterprises that need a comprehensive solution for managing workflows, projects, and collaboration in one unified platform.
Why I picked Comidor: I included this software because it offers a range of features for project management, business process automation, and workflow management all in one platform. This all-in-one approach makes it easier for teams to collaborate and automate repetitive tasks. Comidor's flexibility allows users to customize their workflows to meet specific business needs, enhancing efficiency and productivity. Meanwhile, its built-in analytics help organizations monitor performance and optimize their processes continuously.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include the ability to automate and manage complex workflows with drag-and-drop functionality using the BPMN 2.0 Comidor Workflow Designer. Users can also create custom forms and fields, which makes it easy to tailor workflows to specific business needs. Comidor also provides a range of RPA and AI components, including sentiment analysis and text classification, to enhance automation capabilities.
Integrations include RESTful Web Service, Message Queue, Teams Integration, Google Integration, Zoho Projects API, Zoho CRM, Freshdesk API, and Salesforce API.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Real-time analytics and reporting
- Strong customization capabilities
- Efficient low-code development
Cons:
- Challenging to configure some integrations
- Steep learning curve initially
Automation Anywhere is a cloud-based automation platform designed to help businesses automate their processes and improve efficiency. It’s mainly used by enterprises looking to optimize their operations with a focus on enhancing productivity and reducing costs through automation.
Why I picked Automation Anywhere: This platform’s main business value is its ability to automate tasks across various applications without extensive coding knowledge. Its low-code interface empowers both professional developers and business users to create automation quickly and easily. The platform's flexibility allows for integration with a wide range of enterprise applications, making it a versatile solution for many initiatives and business contexts.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a cloud-native architecture that enables rapid deployment and scalability, a low-code environment for building bots and automation workflows, and advanced analytics to monitor and optimize automation performance. Automation Anywhere also supports both attended and unattended automation, allowing businesses to automate tasks with or without human intervention.
Integrations include Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports both attended and unattended automation
- Low-code tools for easy automation
- Cloud-native platform
Cons:
- Can be resource-intensive for large-scale deployments
- Requires training for advanced features
Pega is an enterprise platform focused on AI decisioning automation, designed to help organizations optimize their operations and improve customer engagement. It serves enterprises seeking a competitive advantage by leveraging intelligent automation tools into decision-making processes.
Why I picked Pega: This platform’s automation technologies focus on decisioning, allowing users to create and manage complex business rules and processes. The software’s real-time AI decisioning capabilities enable businesses to personalize customer interactions and automate service efficiently. Its unique center-out architecture focuses on outcomes and customer needs, providing flexibility and responsiveness to changing business conditions.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a low-code platform for rapid application development, real-time AI decisioning, and a center-out architecture designed to maximize efficiency by focusing on customer outcomes. Pega also offers advanced workflow automation tools that streamline operations and improve service delivery.
Integrations include Salesforce, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, Oracle, and Adobe.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Focus on customer outcomes
- Scalable architecture for enterprise needs
- Flexible low-code environment
Cons:
- High resource requirements
- Complex customization options
Fortra is a multi-vector cyber defense platform designed primarily for cybersecurity professionals and organizations that need secure automated workflows. It offers tools that help users automate complex processes and protect sensitive information across various environments.
Why I picked Fortra: For organizations prioritizing cybersecurity-focused automation, this platform is a good choice. Its automated data loss prevention and secure file transfer features help you ensure that sensitive data stays protected during automated processes. Its ability to integrate security into every automation process helps businesses maintain compliance and protect against cyber threats while automating routine tasks.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include automated data encryption, which protects sensitive information during transfers and storage. There’s also advanced threat detection that helps identify and respond to potential security risks in real-time. Fortra’s role-based access controls ensure that only authorized users have access to specific data and functions, enhancing overall security.
Integrations are not listed publicly by the provider.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Drag-and-drop task builder
- Real-time debugging capabilities
- Centralized bot management
Cons:
- Limited task shortcuts
- Complex initial setup
Workato is an enterprise integration platform as a service (iPaaS) that enables businesses to automate workflows and integrate applications across their organization. It’s designed for enterprises looking to connect various apps and automate complex processes to improve operational efficiency.
Why I picked Workato: This platform’s pre-built connectors and customizable automation recipes make it ideal for enterprises that need advanced iPaaS and app integrations. The software enables teams to automate data flows between multiple applications without requiring extensive coding knowledge, making it accessible for different user groups. Its ability to handle real-time data synchronization ensures seamless operations across platforms.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable automation recipes that allow users to easily build workflows tailored to their needs. Workato also offers real-time data synchronization, ensuring that information is always up-to-date across integrated systems. The platform’s intuitive interface allows for easy management and monitoring of all automated processes.
Integrations are not listed publicly by the provider.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Real-time data integration
- Good logging functionality for troubleshooting
- Easy onboarding and setup
Cons:
- Requires understanding of API and data management techniques
- Limited customization options
IBM provides a range of solutions for businesses, particularly focusing on AI and hybrid cloud integration. It’s designed for enterprises looking to leverage advanced AI technologies and hybrid cloud infrastructure to enhance their operations and drive digital transformation. IBM's platform helps businesses manage data, automate processes, and integrate AI across their operations for improved decision-making and efficiency.
Why I picked IBM: This platform offers a variety of tools that enable the deployment of AI models and applications across cloud and on-premises environments. IBM's AI capabilities, like Watsonx, allow businesses to build and scale AI models securely and efficiently, ensuring compliance with industry standards. The hybrid cloud infrastructure supports both public and private cloud environments, making it flexible for diverse business needs.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a hybrid cloud platform that supports AI deployment, secure and compliant cloud solutions designed for regulated industries, and a range of AI tools like Watsonx for building, scaling, and governing AI models. IBM also offers comprehensive data management and analytics capabilities to help businesses optimize their processes and make data-driven decisions.
Integrations include SAP, Salesforce, AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle, and Red Hat OpenShift.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports complex data management
- Scalable AI and cloud solutions
- Flexible hybrid cloud options
Cons:
- May need dedicated support for advanced features
- Initial setup can be complex
Tungsten Automation is a provider of AI-powered workflow automation solutions. The software helps organizations automate their most data-intensive workflows, streamline processes, and improve efficiency. It’s particularly focused on enhancing document processing, intelligent automation, and process orchestration to help companies optimize their operations.
Why I picked Tungsten Automation: This platform’s tools leverage AI to automate complex workflows and improve decision-making. Tungsten Automation provides intelligent document processing capabilities, allowing businesses to efficiently manage unstructured data. The platform's low-code environment enables users of all technical skill levels to create and automate workflows easily.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include intelligent document processing for extracting and interpreting unstructured data, a low-code process orchestration tool that simplifies workflow automation across departments, and flexible cloud deployment options that align with different business requirements. Tungsten Automation also offers advanced analytics and business insights to enhance decision-making and optimize workflows.
Integrations are not listed publicly by the provider.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Advanced document processing capabilities
- Supports complex workflow automation
- Rapid prototyping and deployment
Cons:
- High resource requirements for large-scale use
- Requires training for advanced features
Other Intelligent Process Automation Software
Below is a list of additional intelligent process automation software that I shortlisted. While they didn’t make the top 10, they’re still valuable and worth further research.
- Bizagi
For low-code process automation
- Oracle
For AI-powered cloud services
- Nintex
For document and process management
- JIFFY.ai
For automating complex workflows
- Ushur
For automating customer communications
- AntWorks
For AI-driven data capture
- Rapise
For automated software testing
- Tonkean
For human-in-the-loop automation
- Lucy
For knowledge management and search
- OpenBots
For no-code RPA solutions
- Redwood Software
For enterprise automation at scale
Related Software Reviews
If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for here, check out these other tools that we’ve tested and evaluated:
- Project Management Software
- Resource Management Software
- Workflow Automation Software
- Time Tracking Software
- Task Management Software
- Collaboration Tools
- Gantt Chart Makers
- Productivity Tools
Intelligent Process Automation Software Selection Criteria
In my hunt for intelligent process automation software, I kept buyer needs and common pain points at the forefront of my search. As someone who has personally researched and compared these tools, here are the requirements I use when evaluating software:
Core Functionality (25% of total weighting score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Automating repetitive tasks
- Data extraction and processing
- Workflow management
- Real-time analytics and reporting
- Integration with existing systems
Additional Standout Features (25% of total weighting score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- AI-driven decision-making
- Natural language processing
- Advanced customization options
- Machine learning capabilities
- Mobile-friendly interface
Usability (10% of total weighting score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive user interface
- Easy navigation and layout
- Minimal learning curve
- Customizable dashboards
- Clear documentation and tutorials
Onboarding (10% of total weighting score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Pre-built templates and workflows
- Interactive product tours
- Access to live webinars and demos
- On-demand chat support
Customer Support (10% of total weighting score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 availability of support
- Multiple support channels (phone, email, chat)
- Dedicated account managers
- Comprehensive help center
- Active user community forums
Value For Money (10% of total weighting score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing models
- Features included in base plans
- Scalability of pricing with usage
- Transparency of pricing structure
- Discounts for long-term commitments
Customer Reviews (10% of total weighting score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Consistency in positive feedback
- Commonly mentioned pain points
- Frequency of feature requests
- Overall ease of implementation
- Feedback on customer support experience
Trends in Intelligent Process Automation Software
Here are some trends I’ve noticed for intelligent process automation software technology, plus what they might mean for the future. I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs to tease out the most important insights.
- AI-enhanced decision-making: More platforms are integrating AI to help businesses make better decisions based on data-driven insights. This trend is useful for companies that want to reduce manual decision-making and rely on AI to predict outcomes and optimize processes.
- Process mining capabilities: There’s a growing focus on tools that can analyze existing workflows to discover and identify inefficiencies and suggest improvements. This feature is becoming increasingly important as businesses look to optimize their processes and reduce costs without guessing.
- Hyper-automation: This concept combines multiple automation tools and technologies to automate as many business processes as possible. It's particularly appealing to companies aiming to fully digitize their operations and reduce reliance on human intervention for routine tasks.
- Low-code/no-code development: More vendors are offering low-code or no-code platforms to make automation accessible to non-developers. This trend is especially relevant for small to medium-sized businesses that need to automate processes quickly without hiring dedicated developers.
- Focus on user experience: There’s a noticeable shift towards making automation software more intuitive and user-friendly. Vendors are prioritizing clean, easy-to-navigate interfaces to ensure that teams can adopt the software with minimal training.
What Is Intelligent Process Automation Software?
Intelligent process automation software is a tool that automates repetitive tasks and processes, often using AI and machine learning to enhance efficiency and decision-making. These tools are typically used by professionals in business operations, financial services, human resources, supply chain management, and IT to streamline workflows and reduce manual labor.
Features like AI-enhanced decision-making, process mining capabilities, and low-code development help with optimizing business processes, improving accuracy, and making automation accessible to more users. Overall, these tools help companies save time and reduce errors, and allow teams to focus on more strategic work.
Features Of Intelligent Process Automation Software
When selecting intelligent process automation software, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- AI-enhanced decision-making: Uses AI to analyze data and make recommendations, helping businesses make informed decisions quickly.
- Process mining: Analyzes existing workflows to identify inefficiencies and suggests improvements, optimizing overall operations.
- Low-code development: Allows users to create automation workflows with minimal coding, making it accessible for non-developers.
- Machine learning capabilities: Learns from data patterns to improve automation processes over time, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
- Real-time analytics: Provides instant insights into process performance, enabling businesses to make data-driven adjustments.
- Robust security measures: Ensures that all automated processes and data handling comply with security standards, protecting sensitive information.
- Scalability: Supports growing business needs by easily handling increased data volumes and more complex workflows, and offers predictive analytics to support growth.
- Customizable workflows: Allows users to tailor automation processes to fit specific business requirements, ensuring a good fit for diverse operations.
- Integration with existing systems: Connects seamlessly with other software tools, enhancing workflow continuity and data sharing.
- User-friendly interface: Provides an intuitive design that’s easy to navigate, reducing the learning curve for new users.
Benefits Of Intelligent Process Automation Software
Implementing intelligent process automation software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Automation of Time-Consuming Tasks: Employees can focus on strategic work by automating repetitive tasks.
- Reduction of Errors and Inconsistencies: Standardizing processes with automation tools minimizes human errors.
- Enhanced Decision-Making: Real-time analytics and AI-driven insights support better, faster decision-making.
- Improved Operational Efficiency: Optimized workflows and bottleneck identification lead to smoother operations.
- Increased Employee Productivity: Automation and streamlined processes help employees be more productive.
- Security and Compliance: Robust data protection features and automated audit trails ensure security and compliance.
- Improved Customer Satisfaction: Faster response times and accurate information handling enhance customer experiences.
Costs And Pricing Of Intelligent Process Automation Software
Selecting intelligent process automation software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in intelligent process automation software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for Intelligent Process Automation Software
Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
Free Plan | $0 | Basic automation tools, limited integrations, community support |
Personal Plan | $5-$25/user/month | Single user access, basic process automation, limited analytics |
Business Plan | $30-$75/user/month | Multi-user access, advanced workflow automation, analytics and reporting, priority support |
Enterprise Plan | $100+/user/month | Unlimited users, full AI capabilities, custom integrations, dedicated support, security and compliance features |
Intelligent Process Automation Software FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about intelligent process automation software:
How do intelligent process automation tools integrate with existing systems?
Intelligent process automation (IPA) tools are designed to seamlessly integrate with a wide range of existing systems. This means they can connect to various software platforms like CRM, ERP, and other business applications, ensuring that data flows smoothly between them. This integration helps in maintaining consistency and reducing the need for manual data entry, which enhances overall workflow efficiency.
Can intelligent process automation software handle unstructured data?
Yes, many IPA tools can handle unstructured data thanks to advanced features like natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning. These capabilities allow the software to interpret and act on data from various sources such as emails, documents, and other non-structured inputs, making it useful for complex data analysis and decision-making tasks.
What types of businesses benefit most from intelligent process automation?
Businesses of all sizes and industries can benefit from IPA, but it’s especially valuable for those with high volumes of repetitive tasks and data-driven processes. Sectors like finance, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing often see the most significant gains because they deal with large amounts of data and require precise, efficient workflows.
How does intelligent process automation support compliance and security?
IPA software can significantly enhance compliance and security by ensuring that all processes are documented and traceable. It automates data handling according to predefined rules and standards, which helps in minimizing human error and maintaining regulatory compliance. Additionally, IPA tools often include security features like encryption and access controls to protect sensitive information.
What’s the difference between intelligent process automation and robotic process automation?
While both IPA and robotic process automation (RPA) aim to automate tasks, IPA goes beyond simple task automation by incorporating cognitive capabilities. IPA uses AI technologies like machine learning and NLP to understand, interpret, and make decisions based on unstructured data, making it more versatile and adaptive than traditional RPA, which is primarily rule-based and focuses on automating repetitive tasks.
What’s Next?
Want to connect with other digital project managers to share resources and best practices? Join our membership community and get access to 100+ templates, samples, and examples and connect with 100s of other digital project managers in Slack.