Power Automate vs Microsoft Power Automate
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading automation & integration solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Power Automate if you need Cloud flows and prefer a free starting option. Choose Microsoft Power Automate if you prioritize Automated flows and want a free tier to start. Both are rated 4.3/5 by users.
Power Automate vs Microsoft Power Automate: At a Glance
| Criteria | Power Automate | Microsoft Power Automate |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3 | 4.3 |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Pricing Model | per-user | per-flow |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Desktop | Web, Cloud, Desktop |
| Category | Automation & Integration | Automation & Integration |
| Founded | 2016 | 2016 |
Feature Comparison: Power Automate vs Microsoft Power Automate
| Feature | Power Automate | Microsoft Power Automate |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud flows | ||
| Desktop RPA | ||
| Button flows | ||
| Automated flows | ||
| Scheduled flows | ||
| Approvals | ||
| Business process flows | ||
| Analytics | ||
| 500+ connectors | ||
| Office 365 | ||
| Dynamics 365 | ||
| Salesforce | ||
| SAP | ||
| SharePoint | ||
| Azure AD | ||
| Instant flows | ||
| Desktop automation | ||
| Process mining | ||
| Approval workflows | ||
| Microsoft 365 | ||
| Oracle | ||
| Custom APIs |
Power Automate vs Microsoft Power Automate: Pricing Breakdown
Power Automate Pricing
Model: per-user
- 300 flows
- Limited capacity
- Unlimited flows
- Advanced features
- RPA capabilities
- UI automation
- Advanced features
Microsoft Power Automate Pricing
Model: per-flow
- Automated flows
- Instant flows
- Limited actions
- Basic support
- Unlimited actions
- Advanced features
- Premium connectors
- Email support
- Process mining
- Desktop flows
- Advanced automation
- Priority support
Pros and Cons
Power Automate
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Cloud flows functionality
- Strong Desktop RPA functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Microsoft Power Automate
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 3 platforms (Web, Cloud, Desktop)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Automated flows functionality
- Strong Instant flows functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Power Automate vs Microsoft Power Automate?
Choose Power Automate if you:
- Need Cloud flows
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Desktop
- Value Desktop RPA
Choose Microsoft Power Automate if you:
- Need Automated flows
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Cloud
- Value Instant flows
Frequently Asked Questions: Power Automate vs Microsoft Power Automate
Is Power Automate better than Microsoft Power Automate?
It depends on your needs. Power Automate has a 4.3/5 user rating while Microsoft Power Automate has 4.3/5. Power Automate excels in Cloud flows and Desktop RPA, while Microsoft Power Automate stands out with Automated flows and Instant flows. Consider your budget (Free vs Free), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Power Automate or Microsoft Power Automate?
Power Automate offers a free plan and starts at Free. Microsoft Power Automate offers a free plan and starts at Free. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use Power Automate and Microsoft Power Automate together?
While both are automation & integration tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core automation & integration needs.
What are the main differences between Power Automate and Microsoft Power Automate?
The key differences include: pricing model (per-user vs per-flow), platform support (Web, Desktop vs Web, Cloud, Desktop), and feature focus. Power Automate emphasizes Cloud flows, Desktop RPA, Button flows while Microsoft Power Automate focuses on Automated flows, Instant flows, Scheduled flows. User ratings differ slightly: 4.3 vs 4.3 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Power Automate and Microsoft Power Automate.