Compare the Best Workflow Automation Apps to Save Time, Cut Costs, and Scale Your Small Business

Advertise in Your Sleep with Automated Workflows

Running a small business or side hustle means juggling emails, clients, bookings, spreadsheets, and a million notifications. What if you could hand off the busywork to an automation assistant that never sleeps?

That’s where automation tools for small business come in. These tools connect your apps, automate repetitive tasks, and help you save hours every week. No coding required.

Let’s compare Zapier and its top competitors to see which automation solution is best for your needs.

Zapier: The Powerhouse Pick

Zapier is the most well-known platform for automation. It connects over 6,000 apps and uses a simple “if this, then that” style to trigger actions across your systems. Need to send a welcome email when someone fills out your form? Zapier can do it. Want leads from your website added to your CRM? It’s automatic. Zapier is one of the best workflow automation apps for solo entrepreneurs and teams alike.

✅ Free plan includes 5 single-step Zaps and 100 monthly tasks

✅ Paid plans start at $19.99 per month for more complex workflows

✅ Excellent for connecting apps without coding

❌ Paid tiers scale quickly as volume increases

❌ Advanced features can overwhelm beginners

Example workflows:

Send new Calendly bookings to Google Sheets and Mailchimp.

When someone buys from Shopify, send a Slack notification and create a QuickBooks invoice.

Make (Formerly Integromat): Visual + Powerful

Make is an excellent Zapier alternative for freelancers who prefer drag-and-drop tools. The platform offers a visual canvas for building detailed workflows, which makes it easier to map out logic. If you need flexibility or want to run powerful logic between apps, Make is a top choice in automation tools for small business.

✅ Free plan allows 1,000 monthly operations

✅ Paid plans begin at $9 per month

✅ Great for complex automations and visual learners

❌ Small learning curve for non-tech users

❌ Less intuitive documentation

Example workflows:

Watch for new Gmail attachments and auto-upload them to a Google Drive folder.

When a Typeform survey is filled out, update your CRM and send a thank-you email.

IFTTT: Simple and Fun

IFTTT (If This Then That) is best known for automating smart homes and basic digital tasks. It’s lightweight and intuitive but not well-suited for deep business workflows. IFTTT is one of the best workflow automation apps for personal use, but not robust enough for full business needs.

✅ Free plan with limited applets

✅ Paid plans start at $2.50 per month

✅ Great for quick tasks and casual users

❌ Not designed for multi-step business automation

❌ Limited integrations for enterprise tools

Example workflows:

Post your Instagram photo as a native Twitter image automatically.

Turn on your smart lights when your Google Calendar event starts (great for livestreams or meetings).

Pabbly Connect: Affordable and Lifetime Deals

Pabbly Connect is popular among budget-conscious entrepreneurs. It offers many of the same core features as Zapier but with lower long-term cost. It also has a free forever plan! For those looking for free automation software for beginners that scales affordably, Pabbly Connect is a strong contender.

✅ Lifetime pricing options available

✅ Integrates with many marketing and ecommerce tools

✅ Strong support and active community

❌ Smaller app library than Zapier

❌ Limited templates compared to others

Example workflows:

Send new Facebook Lead Ads entries to Google Sheets and notify you via email.

Sync new WooCommerce orders to Google Sheets and Sendinblue for follow-up marketing.

Why These Tools Matter for Entrepreneurs

If you are tired of manually updating spreadsheets or copying client data between platforms, automation tools for small business can literally buy you time. Whether you’re a coach, writer, Etsy seller, or consultant, automation frees up mental space and helps you scale without burnout.

Connect apps without coding. Automate tasks like onboarding, lead capture, and emails. Save hours each month to focus on strategy, creativity, or even just more free time for leisure, rest, and fun with loved ones.

If you’re still doing everything manually, pick one of these tools and try it out. Start with the free automation software for beginners and scale up only if needed. Many solo business owners build entire workflows using just the free tiers. Let your systems do the heavy lifting while you focus on the things that only you can do!

What’s your favorite automation tool? Drop it in the comments.