Power Automate

Microsoft's workflow automation service spanning cloud flows and desktop RPA

AI Agents & AutomationOverseas★★★★☆ 4.0

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What is Power Automate?

Power Automate is Microsoft's automation service, covering both cloud flows that connect online services and desktop flows that drive applications through robotic process automation. It reaches deep into Microsoft 365, Dynamics and Azure, and through connectors into third-party systems, with approvals, business process flows and an AI Builder for document processing and prediction. Its distinctive advantage is the desktop side: when a system has no API at all, a desktop flow can still operate its interface. Governance comes from the Power Platform admin centre, which matters to IT in larger organisations.

Last updated: 2026-09-20. This site only provides an index; for exact features, pricing, and licensing, see the official website.

Key features

Cloud flows triggered by events, schedules or manual start
Desktop flows for robotic process automation of legacy apps
Thousands of connectors across Microsoft and third-party services
Approval flows and business process flows with stages
AI Builder models for document processing and prediction
Central governance and environment management for IT

Pros & cons

Strengths

Handles both API-based and screen-based automation
Deep integration with Microsoft 365 and Azure services
Admin controls suit organisations with compliance requirements

Watch out for

Licensing is layered and genuinely hard to predict
Premium connectors and desktop flows need higher tiers
Outside Microsoft-centric environments the appeal drops

Best for & use cases

enterprise process automation, document workflows, legacy system rpa and approvals

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FAQ

What is the difference between cloud and desktop flows?

Cloud flows run online and connect services by API. Desktop flows run on a machine and interact with application interfaces, which is how you automate a system that has no API or integration available.

Is it included with Microsoft 365?

Some plans include limited automation, but premium connectors, desktop flows and higher run volumes require additional licensing. Check which tier your scenario needs before estimating cost.

How does it compare with Power Apps?

They complement each other. Power Apps builds the interface people use, while Power Automate runs the process behind it, often triggered by an action in that app.