Best AI for workflow automation without coding
Zapier is the easiest starting point with the largest app library. Make is more powerful for complex logic. Bardeen fills a unique niche for browser automation. Lindy is the most AI-native of the group.
Workflow automation tools eliminate the repetitive manual work that accumulates across modern knowledge work — copying data between apps, sending notifications when things happen, generating content triggered by events, routing tasks to the right people. The best tools connect your existing apps and run these workflows 24/7 without any involvement from you.
Zapier defined this category and remains the easiest entry point. With 7,000+ app integrations and a simple trigger-action model, most users can build their first automation in under 15 minutes without reading documentation. Its AI Copilot (Zapier AI) can write automations from plain-English descriptions. The trade-off for simplicity is cost — Zapier's pricing escalates quickly for high-volume use.
Make (formerly Integromat) serves users who've outgrown Zapier's simplicity. Its visual, node-based builder handles conditional logic, data transformation, loops, and error handling that Zapier can't express cleanly. Power users building production-grade automations consistently choose Make for complex scenarios — and it's significantly cheaper than Zapier at equivalent volume.
Bardeen takes a different approach: instead of connecting APIs, it automates the browser itself. This enables automation of tools that lack APIs — LinkedIn, Crunchbase, legacy web apps, any website. For use cases involving web research, lead generation, or data extraction from web interfaces, Bardeen is uniquely capable.
Get the weekly chatbot roundup
New chatbot releases, comparisons, and recommendations — delivered every week.
Most powerful visual automation builder for complex multi-step workflows
Make (formerly Integromat) is a powerful no-code automation platform that connects 1,500+ apps and APIs with a visual workflow builder. More flexible than Zapier, it handles complex logic, multi-step flows, and AI module integrations for advanced automation.
Best for browser automations and scraping websites that lack APIs
Bardeen is an AI automation platform that runs automations directly in your browser, enabling workflows that interact with web apps as a human would. It scrapes web data, automates repetitive browser tasks, and integrates AI for intelligent web automation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Zapier and Make?
Zapier is simpler and has more app integrations (7,000+). Make is more powerful — it handles complex logic, loops, data transformation, and branching that Zapier can't express easily. Most beginners start with Zapier; power users who hit its limits migrate to Make, which is also significantly cheaper at high automation volumes.
Can I automate LinkedIn with these tools?
Standard tools like Zapier and Make require API access, which LinkedIn heavily restricts. Bardeen automates the browser directly — it can navigate LinkedIn, extract data, and interact with elements as a human would. This makes it the best tool for LinkedIn research and lead generation workflows.
What are good examples of workflow automations for small businesses?
Common high-value automations: (1) New form submission → create CRM record + send Slack notification + add to Google Sheet. (2) New invoice paid → send thank-you email + update spreadsheet + notify team. (3) Mention of your brand on Twitter → save to a monitoring spreadsheet. (4) New job application received → create Notion page + notify hiring manager. All of these can be built in Zapier or Make in under an hour.
Know a chatbot that belongs on this list? Submit it free →