How to Streamline Business Processes With Intelligent Automation: 11 AI Workflow Tools to Consider

Maria, an IT operations manager at a Fortune 500 company just received her third urgent escalation of the morning — all for password resets that should have been handled automatically.

Her team was drowning in repetitive tasks, while more strategic initiatives continued to gather dust. The company had invested in traditional automation tools, but they were rigid, required constant maintenance, and couldn't adapt to how employees actually worked. 

Sound familiar?

This happens every day in organizations all over the world. Chances are, you're dealing with similar challenges — searching for the right technologies to streamline operations, reduce manual work, and free up your team for higher-value projects. On top of that, new tools need to integrate seamlessly with your existing systems.

That’s where AI workflow automation comes into play.

In fact, McKinsey reports that current generative AI and similar technologies could automate 60–70% of employees’ time-consuming tasks — unlocking new levels of productivity. 

Beyond just internal productivity, this AI shift could also have a positive impact on the GDP over the next decade as businesses operate more efficiently.

But with so many AI tools flooding the market, how do you identify the right fit for your business and ensure it delivers a strong return on investment (ROI)?

This guide compares 11 top AI workflow tools, so you can find the best fit for your business.

What is AI workflow automation — and how does it work?

AI workflow automation takes traditional automation to the next level by adding intelligence and adaptability to processes that were previously rigid and rule-based. 

While conventional tools like iPaaS and middleware connect systems through APIs, they have several limitations. These tools often can’t:

• Understand natural language inputs 
• Adapt to new or unexpected situations 
• Make complex decisions independently

AI workflow automation overcomes these limitations by combining advanced technologies, including:

• Machine learning (ML) algorithms that improve over time
• Natural language processing (NLP) for understanding human inputs
• Large language models (LLMs) for generating human-like responses
• Computer vision (where applicable) to analyze visual data, such as scanned documents or images
• Predictive analytics for anticipating future needs

The result is a more versatile, intelligent system that handles ambiguity and adapts to changing conditions with minimal human oversight. 

Unlike traditional tools that depend on exact rule matching, AI-powered solutions interpret intent, understand context, and determine the best response paths all on their own.

Why agentic AI assistants are the future of workflow automation

The most advanced AI workflow tools go beyond automation — they act as intelligent assistants that make decisions and take actions independently.

These agentic AI assistants don’t just follow simple rules. They can understand requests in natural language, reason through complex processes, and act across systems to complete tasks end to end.

For example, Moveworks agentic AI Assistant can:

• Reset passwords automatically
• Route HR requests to the right teams
• Anticipate potential IT incidents and proactively alert employees
• Build and maintain a knowledge base 

This kind of intelligence transforms automation into true operational agility. Learn more about agentic workflows.

At a glance: 11 best AI workflow automation tools

Note: Pricing depends on factors like deployment size, features, licensing model, and region. For accurate estimates, always request customized quotes from vendors.

In-depth reviews: 11 best AI workflow automation tools

1. Moveworks

Moveworks delivers an enterprise-grade AI assistant designed to streamline workflows across your entire organization. 

Moveworks AI Assistant provides out-of-the-box automation for common employee needs, while Creator Studio empowers developers and IT professionals to build custom AI agents for their own unique workflow requirements.

What sets Moveworks apart is its agentic AI architecture. Unlike conventional chatbots, the user-friendly Moveworks AI Assistant can: 

• Autonomously interpret requests 
• Make decisions
• Take actions across multiple systems 

This means it can handle complex workflows that span departments and applications, from IT and HR to sales and finance.

The platform automates enterprise support processes by providing:

• A single, easy-to-use conversational interface for all employee requests 
• Smooth integration with your current enterprise systems, including CRM, ITSM, HRIS, and more 
• Ready-to-go automations for everyday tasks 
• Creator Studio that lets you build custom AI agents — no advanced ML expertise needed

Moveworks is an ideal fit for enterprises aiming to automate employee support at scale. Its Reasoning Engine figures out what employees need, pulls up the right information, and takes action across various business systems — with little to no human intervention. 

This makes Moveworks perfect for companies with complex support needs across multiple departments.

Benefits:

• Reduces resolution times for common IT and HR issues from days to minutes
• Provides a consistent employee experience across multiple communication channels
• Delivers fast time-to-value with pre-built automations and integrations
• Enables custom workflow automation without requiring specialized AI expertise

Limitations:

• As with any AI system, some complex edge cases may still require human intervention
• Some users note that careful planning during setup helps maximize long-term success

Request a demo to see how Moveworks can transform your workflows.

2. Workato

Workato is an enterprise automation platform that combines integration and intelligent workflow automation. Its AI-powered system connects applications, automates processes, and builds workflows with minimal coding. 

Designed for business users without deep technical expertise, Workato uses a recipe-based approach with pre-built connectors and templates, while AI suggests workflow optimization. 

Benefits:

• 1,000+ pre-built app connectors 
• AI-powered workflow suggestions 
• Collaboration between business users and IT 
• Handles complex logic and business rules 

Limitations:

• Pricing may be high for organizations that need many connections. 
• Some G2 users mention a steep learning curve for complex workflows. 
• TrustRadius reviews note that troubleshooting failed workflows requires advanced technical skills.

3. Mulesoft

Mulesoft, acquired by Salesforce in 2018, offers a platform for connecting applications, data, and devices. Its Anypoint Platform combines API management and integration tools, letting companies design, build, and manage APIs and integrations from one place. 

Mulesoft features an API-led connectivity approach, treating APIs as reusable assets across the organization. This helps enterprises build connected applications, services, and data networks for internal processes and external partnerships. 

The platform is particularly effective in regulated industries where governance and security are critical. 

Benefits:

• Reusable integrations save development time 
• Strong security and governance 

Limitations:

• Often needs technical expertise for full use
• High implementation costs for large projects
• Some G2 reports of performance issues with more complex workflows
• Steep learning curve and complex onboarding

4. Microsoft Power Automate

Microsoft Power Automate (formerly Flow) is part of the Power Platform, offering workflow automation that integrates deeply with Microsoft's ecosystem and connects to hundreds of third-party apps.

This platform is ideal for organizations invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, providing tools for both citizen developers and IT professionals to automate anything from simple notifications to complex business processes across multiple systems.

Benefits:

• Combines cloud and desktop automation
• Accessible for non-technical users 
• Cost-effective for Microsoft license holders 

Limitations:

• Best suited for Microsoft-centric organizations 
• Complex workflows may need premium connectors at extra cost 
• Some users report limitations with error handling and debugging features

5. Zapier

Zapier is a cloud-based automation platform that connects web apps and automates workflows without coding. With over 5,000 app integrations, users can create "Zaps" — automated workflows that link different apps. 

Recently, Zapier introduced AI features for generating content and handling more complex tasks, expanding its capabilities beyond simple triggers and actions. 

Zapier is best for small to mid-sized businesses looking to automate tasks across cloud apps without needing enterprise integration platforms. Its simple interface ensures that everyone can take advantage of it, regardless of technical expertise.

Benefits:

• Intuitive, no-code interface 
• AI-powered automation options 
• Flexible pricing based on usage 

Limitations:

• Can be limited for complex enterprise workflows
• Multi-step Zaps may experience delays
• TrustRadius reviews note weaker enterprise security features compared to dedicated platforms

6. Agentforce

Agentforce is an AI-driven workflow automation platform built on Salesforce. It combines natural language processing with deep Salesforce integration to create smart automations for CRM and business processes.

The platform stands out for its ability to understand conversational requests and turn them into automated actions within Salesforce. Using advanced AI, Agentforce interprets intent, analyzes context, and executes workflows without requiring users to learn coding or complex syntax.

Benefits:

• Natural language interface for easy automation
• Pre-built templates for common processes
• AI-driven decision-making for complex tasks
• Reduces reliance on custom Salesforce development

Limitations:

• Best suited for organizations that already rely on Salesforce 
• G2 reviews note that some advanced features may need Salesforce admin expertise depending on the configuration

7. Jira Automation

Jira Automation adds workflow automation to Atlassian's project management platform. It lets teams create rule-based automations that trigger actions based on Jira events, reducing manual effort in project management.

Now enhanced with AI, it also suggests automation rules based on team patterns, streamlining tasks like issue assignment, status updates, and notifications for development teams, IT departments, and project managers.

Benefits:

• No-code visual rule builder
• Trigger-based automations for smoother workflows
• AI-suggested rules tailored to team behavior

Limitations:

• Best suited for organizations already using Jira
• Complex cross-system automations may need extra tools
• Easy-to-use but hard-to-master, as noted by some G2 reviewers

8. UiPath

UiPath is a top player in robotic process automation (RPA), now with added AI smarts for intelligent automation. It combines traditional RPA with AI features like document understanding, computer vision, and conversational AI to take automation to the next level.

Its Studio environment offers both low-code and pro-code options, making it flexible for users of different technical know-how. 

The platform is a great fit for companies wanting to automate document-heavy workflows, customer service tasks, or repetitive processes across multiple applications.

Benefits:

• Powerful robotic process automation (RPA) tools boosted by AI
• Easily extracts data from messy, unstructured documents
• Task Capture makes documenting processes a breeze

Limitations:

• Setup may require technical expertise
• Licensing costs can add up for big implementations
• Gartner Peer Insights notes that large deployments need solid governance plans

9. IBM Robotic Process Automation

IBM Robotic Process Automation combines traditional RPA with AI technologies to deliver intelligent automation solutions. It uses IBM Watson AI services for features like natural language processing, computer vision, and machine learning.

Its enterprise-grade approach comes with strong governance, scalability, and security. The platform offers tools for process mining and task analysis to identify automation opportunities and development environments for building simple or complex workflows.

IBM's solution is ideal for large enterprises in regulated industries needing robust security, compliance, and governance alongside automation.

Benefits:

• Enterprise-grade security and governance 
• Comprehensive analytics and monitoring 
• Strong process mining and discovery tools 
• Tailored for regulated industries 

Limitations:

• More complex to implement than some alternatives 
• Requires specialized skills for advanced features 
• TrustRadius reviews note longer implementation times than competitors

10. Automation Anywhere

Automation Anywhere offers a powerful automation platform that combines RPA with AI. Its cloud-native architecture, Automation 360, provides a scalable foundation for enterprise-wide automation.

The platform's IQ Bot uses AI to handle semi-structured and unstructured data, while the Automation Anywhere Robotic Interface (AARI) offers a conversational interface for human-bot collaboration. 

These features enable the automation of complex processes beyond traditional RPA capabilities, making it great for global organizations scaling from basic RPA to intelligent workflows.

Benefits:

• Cloud-native design allows for flexible deployment
• IQ Bot processes semi-structured and unstructured data
• User-friendly conversational interface
• Large marketplace of pre-built automations

Limitations:

• Complex deployments require specialized expertise, which can lead to pricey consulting costs
• Some G2 reports of challenges with the transition to the cloud platform
• Additional features for more advanced use cases can get costly

11. Boomi

Boomi is an iPaaS that has expanded to include workflow automation capabilities. The platform enables organizations to connect applications, synchronize data, and automate processes through a low-code development environment.

This solution is particularly valuable for organizations that need both data integration and workflow automation capabilities. Boomi's strength in master data management makes it especially useful for scenarios where data quality and consistency are essential to process automation.

Benefits:

• All-in-one platform for integration and workflow automation
• AI-powered data mapping and suggestions 
• Strong master data management tools
• Low-code development environment 
• Large connector library for SaaS and on-premises apps

Limitations:

• Advanced features and complex data transformations may require specialized skills 
• Some G2 users report performance issues with large data volumes and state that the tool is better suited for users with coding skills 

Top considerations for choosing the right AI workflow tool

When selecting an AI workflow automation tool, focus on the following factors to guide your decision:

Integration capabilities 

Evaluate how well the tool connects with your existing technology stack. The right solution should offer both pre-built connectors for common systems and the flexibility to create custom integrations when needed.

Security and compliance 

Look at each tool's security features, including encryption, authentication methods, access controls, and compliance certifications relevant to your industry. This is particularly important for enterprises in regulated sectors.

Ease of use and functionality 

Balance user-friendliness against the ability to handle complex scenarios. Consider who will be building and maintaining your automations — business users may need simpler interfaces, while IT teams can use more powerful features.

AI capabilities 

Look for intelligent features that go beyond basic automation, such as natural language processing, predictive analytics, and the ability to learn from historical data.

Total cost of ownership 

Weigh implementation costs, ongoing maintenance, required training, and the potential need for specialized resources alongside the initial license fees. Evaluate expected ROI based on time savings and process improvements.

Pro tip: Test before you invest

Before making your final decision, conduct a pilot test with one or two of your workflows. This hands-on trial will reveal practical considerations that aren't always obvious in vendor demos — and help you confirm whether the solution meets your specific needs.

Find the right AI workflow automation tool for your business

When comparing AI workflow automation tools, it’s clear that the right choice comes down to your organization’s unique needs, existing systems, and goals. 

Each platform has its own strengths, but if your priority is to streamline employee support and improve operational efficiency at scale, Moveworks stands out.

Why Moveworks?

What makes Moveworks so powerful is its agentic AI architecture. It understands natural language requests, navigates across systems, and handles complex workflows on its own, with no specialized AI expertise needed. 

The platform combines: 

• Pre-built automations that deliver value right away
• A powerful AI assistant to handle routine and complex requests 
• Creator Studio, allowing you to build custom AI agents tailored to your unique processes

Personalized onboarding for faster results

Getting started with Moveworks is straightforward. Our team offers a guided approach helps you achieve maximum value from your AI investment while minimizing the risk of delays or missteps during implementation.

See how smart workflow automation can transform your operations and speed up your digital transformation  — request a personalized Moveworks demo today.