52 Workflow Automation Tools to Boost Productivity
Before we dive into the list of workflow automation tools, let’s first answer what workflow automation means:
- Workflow automation is the process of turning repeatable, multi-step tasks into self-running (automated) processes so work moves forward with less manual effort and human errors.
- Workflow automation tools are platforms and software platforms -- cloud-based or installed -- that streamline and automate repeatable processes by coordinating tasks, data, and systems without requiring manual intervention.
In other words, an automated workflow helps eliminate manual processes to increase productivity and save teams from repetitive and time-consuming tasks every day.
What to Look for in Workflow Automation Tools
In general, when you’re evaluating workflow automation companies, there are some things to consider. Think of this as a checklist of what to look for in workflow automation tools.
- Benefits: How much will the tool benefit your business? Even if one solution is cheaper than another, if the more expensive option saves more time and produces better results, it may be worth the extra expense.
- Ease of setup: Does setup require programmer-level knowledge, or is it an out-of-the-box solution that anyone can set up?
- Ease of use: Furthermore, does the workflow automation require training services, or is it intuitive, fun to use and visually appealing (which helps with company or department-wide adoption)?
- Remote accessibility: Is the tool cloud-based, allowing your team to use them from anywhere?
- Access control: How does the administration work? Is it easy to control access to certain features at the user level? Is it easy to add and remove people from the platform?
- Integrations: Most software is built to be used in coordination with some of the most popular workplace tools -- does the app you're considering integrate with other platforms you use? (Make a list.)
- Cost: How is pricing structured? Is it per user per month? Does it limit the number of integrations? Are there enterprise-level options?
- Reporting: What insights does the tool offer into your daily operations? What metrics does it measure, and how can this help project and account management, for example?
Ready to get started? We’ve compiled a list of some of the best workflow automation solutions for a variety of scenarios from basic business management to niche functions like human resources, sales development and information technology.
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Read MoreWorkflow Tools for Business
This section highlights platforms that bring core business functions such as project management, communication, and time tracking into one unified workspace. Each tool also integrates with the broader software ecosystem, making it easier to automate workflows and keep work moving across teams.
ClickUp
This flexible workflow management platform lets you organize projects, tasks, docs, and workflows. It integrates with hundreds of tools, including Slack.
Trello
This Kanban-based project management tool helps teams visualize work and track progress across projects.
Workfront
This enterprise work management platform streamlines workflows, aligning projects, resources, and priorities with your company goals. It works well with Agile project management.
Khorus
Khorus is a strategy execution platform for CEOs that helps set goals, manage performance, and track organizational health.
Productboard
Productboard is a product management platform that centralizes customer feedback to help them understand what to focus on or build next.
VTiger
If you need one tool to bring your marketing, sales, and support teams together, this CRM offers a 360-degree view of your customers and internal processes.
Workflow Tools for Collaboration & Remote Teams
As teams collaborate across locations and time zones, leaders need tools that make work visible, coordinated, and easy to manage from anywhere. These platforms help teams stay aligned, share updates, and keep workflows moving—whether people are remote, hybrid, or in the same office.
Monday.com
Monday is a visual work management platform that helps teams plan projects, track progress, and stay connected from anywhere, whether in-office, fully remote, or hybrid teams.
Asana
This is a flexible project management tool with multiple layout options that helps teams organize work and stay on top of tasks.
WorkflowMax
This all-in-one operations platform offers quoting, time tracking, job management, and reporting for full visibility across projects.
Hive
Although there are plenty of collaboration platforms, Hive stands out for offering the ability to combine project and process management for easier workflow management.
Workflow Tools for Marketing
Marketing teams need workflow platforms that centralize planning, streamline collaboration, and make it easy to track results across channels. The four tools in this list help marketing teams stay aligned and move quickly from idea to impact.
Wrike
Wrike is a collaborative work management platform that helps marketing teams coordinate projects, share assets, and track performance in one place.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite provides a unified dashboard for managing social media publishing, engagement, and analytics across multiple channels.
Airtable
Airtable combines the flexibility of spreadsheets with the structure of databases, giving marketing teams a visual way to organize projects and automate workflows. Related: Airtable templates and workflow management examples.
PartnerStack
PartnerStack automates partner program management, helping marketing and revenue teams onboard partners, track performance, and scale channel-driven growth.
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These platforms are designed for support and service teams that manage high volumes of customer inquiries. They automate ticketing workflows, centralize communication, and give teams the structure they need to resolve issues quickly and consistently.
HappyFox
HappyFox is a web‑based help desk and knowledge base platform that automates ticketing workflows and helps support teams resolve issues more efficiently.
OTRS
OTRS is a service management and help desk system that streamlines ticketing workflows and centralizes customer support operations.
Workflow Tools with Built‑In CRMs
These platforms combine work management and customer management in a single system. They give teams a unified place to track projects, manage customer interactions, and automate sales or service workflows without switching between multiple tools.
Teamwork
Teamwork is a work management platform that includes optional CRM, help desk, chat, and document management features to help teams manage client work from one place.
Agile CRM
Agile CRM is an all‑in‑one platform that automates sales, marketing, and service workflows so teams can manage customer relationships throughout the entire lifecycle.
Workflow Tools for Small Business
Small businesses need platforms that simplify operations without adding complexity -- or high costs. The tools in this section help teams manage projects, communicate with clients, and handle essential business functions from a single, streamlined system.
Bitrix24
Bitrix24 offers a free small‑business tier that includes project management, communication tools, and basic CRM features in one platform.
WorkFlowy
WorkFlowy is a minimalist list‑based productivity tool that helps small teams capture ideas, organize tasks, and structure their workflows.
HoneyBook
HoneyBook is built for small service‑based businesses, providing tools for client communication, invoicing, scheduling, and project management in one place.
Zoho
Zoho offers an all‑in‑one suite for running a small business, including CRM, accounting, HR, and project management. Zoho One connects more than 40 apps so teams can automate workflows across the entire organization.
Workflow Tools for Enterprise
Enterprise teams need platforms that can support complex projects, large workforces, and cross‑department coordination. The tools in this section offer advanced resource planning, robust reporting, and integrations that help leaders manage work at scale.
Resource Management by Smartsheet
Previously branded as 10,000ft, Resource Management provides resource planning, time tracking, and dynamic reporting to help enterprise teams allocate people effectively and manage projects with clarity.
Aha!
Aha! is a product roadmap platform that helps organizations visualize strategy, prioritize initiatives, and keep teams aligned on long‑term goals.
Dynamics365
Dynamics 365 is Microsoft’s suite of enterprise applications that integrates CRM, ERP, analytics, and workflow automation across sales, service, finance, and operations.
ProWorkFlow
ProWorkflow brings project management, task tracking, timesheets, templates, and workflow automation together to help enterprises manage complex workloads.
AskSpoke
AskSpoke is an internal help desk tool that lets employees submit questions and requests through a simple interface, automating responses and routing tasks to the right teams.
Workflow Tools for Sales
Sales teams rely on tools that help them find prospects, manage pipelines, automate outreach, and track performance. The platforms in this section support the full sales cycle, giving teams the structure and visibility they need to close deals efficiently.
Salesforce
Salesforce is a leading CRM platform, and its Service Cloud module helps teams manage customer relationships, support requests, and ongoing client interactions.
Accelo
Accelo is a client work management platform that helps sales and service teams track interactions, manage operations, and deliver consistent customer support.
Apollo
Apollo is a sales engagement and revenue platform that provides a large prospect database, advanced search tools, and CRM tracking to help teams accelerate outreach and improve conversion rates.
Forecast
Forecast focuses on improving profitability by combining project management, resource planning, and workflow automation to help teams work more efficiently.
Hubspot Sales
HubSpot Sales provides tools for managing leads, automating outreach, and tracking engagement, helping teams streamline their sales process and improve close rates.
Yesware
Yesware integrates directly with email to support prospecting, meeting scheduling, and follow‑up tracking, turning the inbox into a lightweight sales engagement hub.
Copper
Copper is a CRM built for Google Workspace users, allowing teams to manage contacts, deals, emails, and files directly within Gmail and Google Calendar.
Workflow Tools for Human Resources
HR teams rely on platforms that streamline hiring, onboarding, employee management, and internal operations. The tools in this section help automate routine tasks, centralize employee data, and give HR leaders clearer insight into how their processes are performing.
Bamboo HR
BambooHR supports the full employee lifecycle with applicant tracking, onboarding tools, time tracking, and performance management features.
WebHR
WebHR offers a social‑style interface and includes time and attendance tracking, payroll, benefits administration, and other core HR functions.
Pipefy
Pipefy is a workflow automation platform that helps HR teams manage processes like recruiting, onboarding, approvals, and employee requests through customizable, no‑code workflows.
FactoHR
factoHR provides a full HCM (human capital management) suite, including recruitment management, automated payroll, attendance tracking, and tools for managing remote employees.
Beekast
Beekast helps HR teams plan and run interactive meetings, workshops, and training sessions, offering tools to facilitate engagement and evaluate outcomes.
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Finance teams rely on tools that streamline approvals, automate routine tasks, and keep financial operations running smoothly. The platforms in this section help teams manage billing, expenses, payments, and time tracking so they can focus on strategic work that supports the organization’s bottom line.
JetPack Workflow
Jetpack Workflow is designed for accountants, CPA firms, and bookkeepers, helping teams automate recurring tasks, track deadlines, and improve operational efficiency.
Avaza
Avaza offers resource scheduling, time and expense tracking, quoting, invoicing, and project management in a single platform.
Bill.com
Bill.com automates accounts payable and receivable processes and syncs with major accounting systems to simplify payments and cash‑flow management.
Time Doctor
Time Doctor provides detailed time tracking for teams that bill by the hour, running in the background to capture activity and generate accurate reports.
Emburse Certify
Emburse Certify streamlines travel and expense reporting, automating submissions, approvals, and reimbursements so finance teams can reduce administrative work and maintain clearer oversight of spending.
Workflow Tools for Information Technology
IT teams manage complex, high‑stakes work — from infrastructure deployments to software development — and they rely on tools that support collaboration, visibility, and process consistency. These platforms help automate routine tasks, track technical work, and keep large projects moving smoothly.
Nintex
Nintex provides end‑to‑end process management and workflow automation, helping IT teams standardize operations and streamline business processes across the organization.
Jira
Jira supports software development teams with tools for issue tracking, sprint planning, release management, and reporting, making it easier to coordinate complex technical work.
GitScrum
GitScrum offers project planning and agile workflow tools that help development teams organize tasks, track progress, and improve delivery across releases.
FogBugz
FogBugz is an all‑in‑one project management and issue‑tracking platform that includes task management, email case handling, and code review support.
Spiceworks
Spiceworks provides free IT tools, including help desk software and network inventory monitoring, to help IT teams manage support requests and maintain their organization’s technology infrastructure.
Cross-Platform Integration Apps
These tools connect the software your team already uses, allowing you to automate tasks, move data between platforms, and create workflows that span multiple systems.
Zapier
Zapier lets you build automated workflows between thousands of apps, helping you connect tasks, trigger actions, and streamline processes across your tools. It also integrates with Slack for in‑channel automation.
Tray.io
Tray.io is an integration and automation platform that connects your apps and data sources, enabling you to automate complex workflows across your entire tech stack.
IFTTT
IFTTT — short for “If This, Then That” — automates actions between apps and internet‑connected devices, making it easy to create simple, trigger‑based workflows.
Bonus: Workflow Efficiency App
Even with the right automation tools in place, teams lose time every day simply moving between apps, accounts, and browser tabs. Streamlining that daily navigation can have just as much impact on productivity as automating a task. Shift brings your essential tools into one organized desktop workspace, reducing context switching and making it easier to stay focused. Add your email accounts, apps, and extensions to create a unified hub that supports smoother, more efficient workflows throughout the day.
Simply download Shift and begin adding your favorite tools to make your software easily accessible throughout the day.
