Microsoft Power Automate vs Automation Anywhere
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Microsoft Power Automate starts at $15/mo and Automation Anywhere starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Microsoft's cloud flows, desktop RPA and AI agents in one product
Freemium · $15/moAt a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Cloud flows
- Desktop flows (RPA)
- Copilot flow builder
- AI Builder document processing
- Process mining
- Cloud RPA bots
- AI agents
- Document Automation
- Process discovery
- Human-in-the-loop review
| Feature | Microsoft Power Automate | Automation Anywhere |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Microsoft's cloud flows, desktop RPA and AI agents in one product | Cloud RPA and agentic process automation for enterprises |
| Category | Agents & automation | Agents & automation |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free trial |
| Starting price | $15/mo | See pricing page |
| Free plan | Yes | No, trial available |
| Made by | Microsoft | Automation Anywhere |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Microsoft Power Automate starts at $15/mo and Automation Anywhere starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Premium
$15/mo
- Per user, paid yearly
- Cloud flows and attended desktop flows
- Standard, premium and custom connectors
Process
$150/mo
- Per bot, paid yearly
- Unattended desktop flows (RPA)
- Automate core enterprise processes
Hosted Process
$215/mo
- Per bot
- Unattended automation
- Microsoft-hosted virtual machine on Azure
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Microsoft Power Automate
- Deep Microsoft 365 integration
- Cloud and desktop automation together
- Strong admin and governance controls
- Licensing is confusing
- Premium connectors cost extra
- Less pleasant outside the Microsoft stack
Automation Anywhere
- Cloud-native RPA platform
- Strong document automation
- Large enterprise customer base
- Pricing through sales only
- Learning curve for bot developers
Which one should you choose?
Choose Microsoft Power Automate if you want:
- Deep Microsoft 365 integration
- Cloud and desktop automation together
- Strong admin and governance controls
Watch out: licensing is confusing.
Choose Automation Anywhere if you want:
- Cloud-native RPA platform
- Strong document automation
- Large enterprise customer base
Watch out: pricing through sales only.
Microsoft Power Automate vs Automation Anywhere FAQ
What is the difference between Microsoft Power Automate and Automation Anywhere?
Microsoft Power Automate: Microsoft's cloud flows, desktop RPA and AI agents in one product. Automation Anywhere: Cloud RPA and agentic process automation for enterprises. Both are agents & automation tools.
Is Microsoft Power Automate or Automation Anywhere cheaper?
Microsoft Power Automate starts at $15/mo and Automation Anywhere starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Microsoft Power Automate and Automation Anywhere have free plans?
Microsoft Power Automate: Yes. Automation Anywhere: No, trial available.
Who makes Microsoft Power Automate?
Microsoft Power Automate is made by Microsoft, based in United States.
Who makes Automation Anywhere?
Automation Anywhere is made by Automation Anywhere, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Microsoft Power Automate or Automation Anywhere?
Choose Microsoft Power Automate if you value deep microsoft 365 integration and cloud and desktop automation together. Choose Automation Anywhere if you value cloud-native rpa platform and strong document automation.