Microsoft Power Automate vs ActivePieces
Side-by-side from the Top 11 rankings of The 11 Best RPA Software (2026) and The 11 Best Automation Platforms (Zapier Alternatives) (2026). Last verified July 18, 2026.
The short answer
Microsoft Power Automate ranks higher on Top 11 (#2 vs #10) for Automation CoE leads, IT operations, and business process teams automating high-volume, rules-based work across finance, HR, and back-office systems / Operators automating workflows across SaaS. Lowest-friction RPA inside Microsoft 365.
At a glance
| Microsoft Power Automate | ActivePieces | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #2 / The 11 Best RPA Software (2026) | #10 / The 11 Best Automation Platforms (Zapier Alternatives) (2026) |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 9.1 | 7.2 |
| Best for | Best value for Microsoft 365 shops | Modern open-source automation |
| Pricing | $$ (From ~$15/user/mo, add-ons for unattended) | $ ($0 to $500+/mo) |
| HQ | Redmond, USA | Wilmington, USA |
| Founded | 2016 | 2022 |
Microsoft Power Automate
Lowest-friction RPA inside Microsoft 365.
www.microsoft.com/power-platform/products/power-automateActivePieces
A user-friendly and modern open-source alternative for self-hosted or cloud automation.
www.activepieces.comSee full entry in The 11 Best Automation Platforms (Zapier Alternatives) (2026)
Methodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.