Data Automation
8 Best No-Code Automation Tools (2024)
An overview of the top no code automation tooling
November 21, 2023
An overview of the top no code automation tooling
More and more software development teams are using no-code automation tools to streamline workflows and automate tedious tasks. In addition, no-code platforms are opening up new possibilities for non-technical folks — turning them into “citizen developers.”
But as interest in these tools grows, more of them are hitting the market, so it can be difficult to know which ones are right for you. For instance, some tools require basic technical knowledge, while others require no technical knowledge at all.
Below are our eight favorite no-code automation tools to help you make an informed decision. I’ll start with a quick list and then move on to a more detailed examination of each tool.
Let’s get into it!
As the name suggests, no-code automation tools and platforms allow users to automate tasks and processes without coding. By following prompts and clicking a few buttons, you can build an automated workflow. It’s really that easy!
The workflow could be anything from having Slack send you a notification when you receive a new customer (my favorite workflow) to scheduling social media posts.
Note that no-code automation tools shouldn’t be confused with low-code automation tools, which often require a working knowledge of APIs (application programming interfaces) or webhooks. In this article, we’ll focus on no-code tools that require no technical knowledge or only very basic knowledge to get started with.
Here’s a list of pros and cons to help you decide whether no-code automation software is right for your business.
https://whalesync.com/
Whalesync (us!) is designed to create reliable two-way syncs between popular apps such as Webflow, Airtable, and HubSpot. There are many use cases — for instance, building internal tools and programmatic SEO — but our favorite is CRM data syncing.
The beauty of Whalesync is that it enables you to build internal apps on top of your software. For example, Webflow is a customer of ours and uses Whalesync to power its community hub.
Most tools on this list, including Zapier and Make, are IFTTT (if this then that) platforms, which are built for simple automations. However, Whalesync is a more robust two-way data-syncing platform perfect for users who want to deeply connect two apps.
https://www.whalesync.com/connector-categories
We currently support 15 connectors. While this is fewer than some of the other no-code tools on this list, it includes some of the biggest players in no-code and CRM, such as Airtable, Webflow, Notion, HubSpot, and Salesforce.
Documentation and Support
Pricing
https://www.whalesync.com/pricing
https://www.make.com/
Make is a popular, flexible no-code workflow automation platform that has advanced capabilities. The pricing is competitive and much lower than that of alternatives like Zapier. However, I don’t find this tool to be as intuitive as others, so I wouldn’t recommend it to beginners (unless they can find a starting template that requires minimal adjustments).
https://www.make.com/en/templates
What differentiates Make are its extensive use cases spanning marketing, sales, operations, IT, and HR. As a result, there are more than 6,000 templates for users to choose from. You simply filter by category, and your desired workflow will likely appear.
Documentation and Support
Pricing
https://www.make.com/en/pricing
https://zapier.com/
Zapier is the most popular automation tool on the market and one I’ve used for many years. Many users love it because it’s beginner-friendly and intuitive. It also works with just about every application available. There’s a lot I like about Zapier — the free plan is generous, I can build a new workflow in seconds, and the new AI text-to-zap feature is cool. The only thing I dislike about Zapier is that the support isn’t always helpful in solving technical problems.
https://zapier.com/apps/microsoft-dynamics-crm/integrations
Apart from this, the tool is extremely easy to navigate, and simple connections rarely require additional support. Users can choose the app, use case, team, or company size as a starting point to build a workflow. My suggestion is to start at the platform (for instance, Mailchimp) level so you can see all of the automation possibilities.
Documentation and Support
Pricing
https://zapier.com/pricing
https://www.airslate.com/
Among no-code automation tools, airSlate is slightly different from the others I’ve covered, because it specializes in document workflow automation. This means you can use rules to automatically create, send, and store documents without any coding. This includes contract negotiations, surveys, invoicing, and a whole lot more. I highly recommend airSlate for businesses that want to save time on, and reduce errors in, administrative tasks.
https://www.airslate.com/bots
Similar to other tools on the list, airSlate has a “bot library” that allows users to duplicate templates based on use cases and applications. On top of this, each bot has a success rating that shows users how robust and reliable the workflow is before they decide to set it up.
Documentation and Support
Pricing
https://www.airslate.com/pricing?fromHeader=1
https://cflow.com/
Cflow is known for its visual workflow designer and its enterprise capabilities. It’s hard to find no-code tools that have these capabilities out of the box, so this is where Cflow shines. The software would benefit businesses with complex workflows and detailed security requirements. Unlike other products on this list, Cflow also offers SLAs to ensure that there is no operational disruption.
https://www.cflowapps.com/workflow-templates/
Again, users can choose their industry or use case to find suitable workflow templates to duplicate. However, Cflow caters to enterprise clients, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to find the perfect template out of the box. That said, if you have enterprise requirements, I wouldn’t let that stop you from getting started with Cflow, since it has so many upsides.
Documentation and Support
Pricing
https://www.cflowapps.com/cflow-pricing/
https://softr.io/
Softr is a highly regarded no-code platform that allows users to create client portals and internal tools using Airtable and Google Sheets. Softr is not a standard automation tool, but its capabilities extend far beyond automation. It gives users the ability to accept payments through custom portals, store and retrieve data, and build associated workflows all from one central place without any coding knowledge.
https://www.softr.io/templates
I managed to find hundreds of professionally designed templates as a starting point. However, my favorite was the Customer Feeback Portal. Every business should be collecting feedback, so even if you don’t have a specific use case for Softr, you can start by collecting feedback and improving your business.
Documentation and Support
Pricing
https://www.softr.io/pricing
https://airtable.com/
Airtable is a no-code application that has the simplicity of a spreadsheet but the complexity of a database — and this database functionality sets it apart from the other tools on this list. Over the past two years, Airtable has become my go-to starting point for many automation projects. On top of this, it integrates with your favorite tools to make just about any use case possible. Airtable can be used for project management, content management, surveys, data tracking, and collaboration (not to mention that Whalesync shines when connected with Airtable).
https://www.airtable.com/templates
There are thousands of templates to choose from, which can make getting started overwhelming. I recommend signing up for the generous free trial and creating your first base. This will allow you to get a feel for how Airtable works and the possibilities it has. You’ll likely think of various workflows you want to start building.
Documentation and support
Pricing
https://airtable.com/pricing
https://phantombuster.com/
PhantomBuster is one of the most underrated no-code automation tools for marketers. Unlike the other automation software in this list, PhantomBuster is specifically designed to help locate, extract, and enrich leads and send them to various software. My favorite automation is LinkedIn Search to Emails, which helps me find the right prospects and push them into a cold email tool like Lemlist or Instantly.
https://phantombuster.com/phantombuster
Unlike most of the automation tools on the market, PhantomBuster comes with pre-made workflows. While there are hundreds (and potentially thousands) of them, you won’t be able to easily create your own workflow if one doesn’t already exist.
Documentation and support
Pricing
https://phantombuster.com/pricing
Since most no-code tools offer free trials, I recommend exploring all of them to see which one meets your requirements. There’s a good chance you’ll end up using more than one (for instance, Whalsesynch and Airtable). When it comes to choosing the right no-code automation software, here are some key considerations.
There are many tools on this list that require zero coding knowledge to create a fully functional automation. These include Whalesync, Make, Zapier, and Airtable.
This will depend on your specific requirements; however, Zapier has a very generous free plan that allows one-step automation and 100 executions per month. Since Zapier is straightforward to set up, it stacks up as the best free no-code software. If you require more executions, consider using Make, since their free plan offers 1,000 operations per month. However, Make is slightly more complex to use.
You can build almost anything with no-code tools. Everything from simple data entry workflows to sending invoices and collecting payments through a custom portal. However, your specific use case will depend on your level of technical knowledge and the constraints of the software you’re using. For highly complicated workflows, you’ll likely need to read documentation, do your own research, and connect multiple tools.
Luciano is a writer and growth marketing consultant. He co-founded Ticker Nerd, an investing newsletter that has since been acquired. He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree from The University of Sydney. Now Luciano blogs about email marketing, copywriting, business, and SEO. When he's not working, he's spending time with his dog or spearfishing with his brothers. Connect with him at lucianoviterale.com.
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