Workflow Automation (iPaaS)
GLOSSARY
Definition
Workflow automation connects your software tools so that actions in one system trigger actions in another. A new form submission creates a CRM record, sends a Slack notification, and adds the contact to an email sequence. No human copies data between tabs.
Why it matters
The category split into two camps: no-code platforms (Zapier, Make) that anyone can use, and developer-oriented tools (n8n, Pipedream) that offer more control at the cost of setup time. The no-code tools are great for simple, linear workflows. They get expensive and fragile when you need branching logic, error handling, or high volume. The developer tools have a steeper on-ramp but don't charge per task, which changes the math at scale.
Tools in this space
n8n
Open-source workflow automation platform with AI agent capabilities and 400+ nodes
Make
Visual automation platform for building complex workflows with AI agents and apps
Tray.io
AI-powered integration platform for building custom automation and AI agents
Pipedream