Nintex vs Power Automate: Which is Better?

David Shanley By David Shanley Digital Process Automation 4 Min Read

Nintex and Microsoft Power Automate are two leading workflow automation tools. Although both have intuitive interfaces, robust features, and flexible pricing models, the question of which one is better is often discussed among technology buyers. In this article, we will provide a comparative analysis between these two platforms, examining their unique features and how they simplify business processes. 

Additionally, we’ll also explore how FlowForma addresses the common challenges faced by Nintex and Power Automate users and how it has become a superior alternative for complex workflow automation.

What is Nintex?

Screenshot of Nintex’s homepage

Nintex’s homepage

Nintex is a process management and workflow automation platform designed to help businesses digitize processes, manage documents, and enhance collaboration. It is known for its visual workflow builder, which enables users to automate complex workflows without requiring extensive coding skills.

Nintex Key Highlights

  • Offers process mapping, document generation, and workflow automation
  • Integrates with SharePoint, Salesforce, and other enterprise tools
  • Suitable for document-heavy processes, like approvals and reporting

What is Power Automate?

 Screenshot of Power Automate’s homepage

Power Automate’s homepage

Microsoft Power Automate, part of the Power Platform, is a cloud-based tool that allows businesses to automate workflows across applications and services. It integrates seamlessly with Microsoft’s ecosystem, enabling trigger-based workflows, data sharing, and process automation.

Interestingly, Microsoft offers two flagship automation tools. Learn more about how they compare against each other: Power Apps vs Power Automate.  

Power Automate Key Highlights

  • Integrates with Microsoft 365, Azure, Dynamics, and other Microsoft services
  • Offers AI Builder for intelligent automation and data extraction
  • Supports a vast range of connectors for third-party applications

Power Automate vs Nintex: Pricing and Licensing Options

Nintex pricing

  • Nintex operates on a subscription-based pricing model that varies based on usage and features. 
  • Costs increase significantly as workflows scale, making it less feasible for larger enterprise deployments without careful planning.

Power Automate pricing

  • Power Automate follows a licensing model where an organization can opt for any number of licenses based on the number of flows required. 
  • The overall costs can escalate as the number of flow increases.
  • Needs to be combined with Power Apps to access additional functionality which increases costs

Nintex vs Power Automate: What do Customer Reviews Say?

Both Nintex and Power Automate are well-regarded on G2, which shows their wide-ranging popularity in the market. Let us take a closer look at their pros and cons. 

Nintex Pros

  • Visual workflow builder
  • Robust document management capabilities, making it ideal for document-centric workflows
  • Automation capabilities
  • Customization options

Nintex Cons

  • Complex initial setup
  • Lacks AI-driven insights and copilot features
  • Bugs and other performance issues reported by some users
  • Steep learning curve for non-technical users

Power Automate Pros

  • In-built AI-driven automation capabilities
  • Ideal for businesses operating within the Microsoft ecosystem and planning on combining with Power Apps
  • Offers premium integration services with third-party connectors 

Power Automate Cons

  • Designed for simple workflows and struggles with handling complex workflows
  • Slow performance
  • Third-party integrations are not as streamlined as other alternatives
  • Steep learning curve, especially for non-technical users
  • Not a complete process automation tool and needs to be combined with Power App for additional functionality

Nintex vs Power Automate: Which is Best for Your Business?

For businesses that put great emphasis on documentation or are more document-centric in general, Nintex might be the better option. Its focus on document generation, approvals, and compliance makes it ideal for processes that involve handling large volumes of structured data. 

Additionally, its visual workflow designer allows for easy creation of workflows, though it may require a moderate learning curve for non-technical users.

However, Nintex’s relatively higher pricing can be limiting for businesses looking to scale beyond document-heavy workflows or diversify their toolset.

Power Automate is a natural choice for organizations embedded in Microsoft’s ecosystem. Its integration with tools like Microsoft 365, Azure, and Dynamics ensures seamless workflow automation across the platform.

The AI Builder feature adds a layer of intelligence, enabling advanced data extraction, predictive analytics, and real-time decision-making.

Power Automate offers many notable features but falls short of being a comprehensive process automation solution. Its complexity can pose challenges for smaller teams or users without technical expertise. To unlock additional features and capabilities, it often needs to be integrated with Power Apps. While ideal for automating simple workflows, it may not meet the needs of organizations aiming to streamline more complex processes. Additionally, costs can escalate substantially with investments in development teams for automation projects or the use of advanced AI functionalities. As such, businesses are moving towards Power Automate’s alternatives to overcome these drawbacks. 

What makes FlowForma the better alternative to Nintex vs Power Automate?

Both Nintex and Power Automate have their strengths, but they also share common challenges, such as limited growth, hidden costs, and a steep learning curve. As such, FlowForma has emerged as a highly favored alternative to these platforms. 

Designed as a no-code platform with advanced AI-powered capabilities, FlowForma bridges the gaps left by both Nintex and Microsoft Power Automate, offering a simpler, more cost-effective, and more efficient alternative for workflow automation.

Let us take a closer look at what makes it a highly efficient and favored power automation tool: 

Nintex vs Power Automate: Key Features Comparison

Feature

Nintex

Power Automate

FlowForma

Ease of Use

Drag-and-drop workflows; steep learning curve.

User-friendly interface, especially for Microsoft users.

No-code interface with intuitive AI-guided workflows.

AI Capabilities

Basic automation, but lacks AI decision-making.

AI Builder for predictive insights and automation.

AI-powered Copilot for process recommendations and accuracy.

Integrations

Strong integrations with SharePoint and CRM systems.

Integration capabilities with Microsoft  Microsoft services.

Seamless integration with Sharepoint and third-party platforms.

Customizations

Moderate flexibility for complex workflows.

Customizable workflows that require technical skills.

Customizable templates, no IT expertise required.

Mobile Accessibility

Offers mobile support but lacks advanced features.

Strong mobile accessibility for on-the-go operations.

Fully mobile-friendly with dynamic workflows.

Scalability

Limited scalability for enterprise-wide needs.

Not designed for scaleable or complex workflows.

Highly scalable for businesses of all sizes.

Pricing

Higher upfront cost and licensing complexity.

Subscription-based, varies by usage. Pricing is not transparent 

Cost-effective, transparent pricing with no hidden costs. 

1. No-code simplicity

Unlike Nintex and Power Automate, FlowForma eliminates the need for extensive coding knowledge. Its intuitive drag-and-drop capabilities empower business users to build and customize workflows with ease, significantly reducing deployment times.

2. AI-powered automation

FlowForma’s AI-powered Copilot transforms workflow creation by offering intelligent process recommendations, identifying bottlenecks, and providing real-time insights for optimization. 

See the transformative potential of Copilot in this demo! 

Nipro, one of the biggest names in the healthcare and medical industries, transformed its business by automating 26 of its locations with FlowForma. Click here to find the inside story. 

3. Transparent pricing 

FlowForma avoids the hidden costs often associated with both Nintex and Power Automate. 

A Screenshot FlowForma's pricing page

FlowForma's pricing page

4. Integration with third-party connectors

FlowForma integrates effortlessly with Sharepoint, third-party applications, and existing systems, allowing businesses to leverage their existing technology stack without disruptions.

5. Regulatory compliance 

FlowForma excels in compliance-heavy industries by providing audit trails. For instance, FlowForma serves as an ideal solution to streamline the DORA compliance process for financial services. Its capabilities ensure regulatory adherence and significantly reduce the risk of penalties, providing peace of mind to organizations.

Insurance giant, AON, completed its automation initiatives in days, instead of months using FlowForma’s seamless integrations and advanced AI-powered capabilities. Learn more about the project here.

FlowForma: Go Beyond Nintex vs Power Automate for Workflow Automation

For organizations seeking an easy-to-use, agile, and scalable workflow solution, FlowForma stands out as the superior choice. By addressing the limitations of both Nintex and Power Automate, FlowForma allows businesses to focus on delivering value, accelerating business processes, and driving growth.

Experience the transformative power of FlowForma today by signing up for a free trial or booking a demo.

 

David Shanley

David Shanley is a process consultant and technical trainer at FlowForma. He is responsible for FlowForma's UI/UX. David has over 20 years of experience crafting award-winning digital designs experiences and platforms for global customers.

David Shanley

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