Fortra's Automate Reviews

Name: Fortra's Automate
Brand: Fortra
Rating: 4.2 (26 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

26 reviews
95% willing to recommend

1,922 followers

What is Fortra's Automate?

Fortra's Automate is predominantly used in HR and operational departments for automating reports, file manipulation, and data processing. Key uses include automating repetitive tasks, integrating PDFs and emails, running scripts, processing large data sets, transforming file formats, synchronizing databases, managing job schedules, and transferring files.

Users commend Fortra's Automate for its ease of implementation and user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, which requires minimal technical skills for efficient bot deployment. The software is appreciated for its effective scheduling tools, reliable integration capabilities, and a wide range of functions such as file interaction, secure file transfers, and extensive automation without the need for coding. Businesses achieve significant time savings and simplified processes, bolstered by continuous updates and robust customer support.

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Fortra's Automate is the #5 ranked solution in best RPA tools. PeerSpot users give Fortra's Automate an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Fortra's Automate is most commonly compared to UiPath: Fortra's Automate vs UiPath. Fortra's Automate is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 55% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a financial services firm, accounting for 15% of all views.

Helped 839,319 peers since 2012

Featured Fortra's Automate reviews

Anabel Marco

Account Director at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

Web scraping is quite good since it offers a lot of possibilities. Another important feature for me is its compatibility with MBI, the Power that is ISEQUADO Centers. I appreciate the ability to scale and increase the number of bots or studios without additional expense. Automate's non-reliance on additional orchestrators makes it quite cost-effective.

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Anabel Marco

Account Director at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

We have tried other RPA solutions like UiPath or Automation Anywhere. They are fantastic products but complex, and it's hard to understand everything. It would be best if you had a skilled developer or several. Automate is easy to implement, administer, and use. It's appropriate for us because our cases are simple and easy to automate. We don't need complicated tools with many features; We prefer to get a significant ROI quickly. We can automate several processes with only one bot, so it's much cheaper than other products where you need to buy additional licenses. We need a good value for our automation. The other solutions might be more robust, but Automate is perfect for us because we're not a large enterprise.

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Don Deyette

Systems Configuration Engineer/Move-it Administrator at a insurance company with 501-1,000 employees

I like the interface; it makes managing automation easy. We can set different schedules and templates for each task. The solution also has access to PowerShell, so we can run PowerShell scripts if needed. Automate is excellent regarding spreadsheet creation based on data files and file movement. The drag and drop for development is a key feature for our organization. We can select options for a data file, fill in parameters, add IF statements, and the solution adds the relevant code. We can enter selections for Excel, read a database based on specific values, and pass it a SQL statement. The tool greatly simplifies our tasks because it has interfaces to other products built in; if we want an Excel spreadsheet, we select yes, and then the solution will start encoding based on our selections. The product makes our work much quicker, as we don't have to write code in Visual Studio, especially when moving files around. The solution saves us a lot of time. We use it hourly for repetitive tasks dealing with 14,000 files, and Automate handles that well. We would need many staff members to do the job the solution does.

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Fortra's Automate mindshare

As of March 2025, the mindshare of Fortra's Automate in the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) category stands at 1.3%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

PeerAnalyst reports based on Fortra's Automate reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Robotic Process Automation (RPA)	Mar 3, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Mar 3, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortra's Automate vs UiPath	Mar 3, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortra's Automate vs Microsoft Power Automate	Mar 3, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortra's Automate vs Automation Anywhere	Mar 3, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
UiPath	4.4	23.8%	97%	817 interviews Add to research
Microsoft Power Automate	3.9	20.9%	87%	126 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Fortra's Automate is praised for its ease of use, intuitive interface, and drag-and-drop feature. Users highlight its efficient scheduling and integration with Microsoft Azure. The system's no-coding functionality and reliable task execution offer significant value, enabling quick deployment. Integration capabilities with SAP and robust technical support are appreciated. It excels in scalability, affordability, and seamless file interaction, including FTP and encryption. Users value its AI resources and intuitive debugging, simplifying automation for various processes.

"Fortra's Automate has effectively replaced the workload of an entire employee, saving us significant time and money."
"The most valuable features of Fortra's Automate include its FTP functionality and file manipulation capabilities."
"Overall, the whole product is really nice and provides significant benefits."

Room for Improvement

Fortra's Automate faces challenges with web automation, user interface complexity, database integration, Hebrew OCR, and security features such as password encryption. Users find the interface confusing, desire better community support, seek improved documentation, and encounter stability issues. There is demand for more third-party integrations and easier cloud functionality. Error handling and logging can be made more straightforward. Enhancements in development environments and artificial intelligence capabilities are needed, alongside easier deployment of updates and more robust FTP capabilities.

"I would like the updates to be easier to deploy. Integration with Amazon S3 is somewhat lacking."
"I would like the updates to be easier to deploy. Integration with Amazon S3 is somewhat lacking."
"I currently have three bugs open with them that I don't know if they are addressed in the new release."

ROI

Organizations using Fortra's Automate report saving over 200 person-hours per month and achieving a return on investment within 90 to 120 days. Implementation has led to increased efficiency and productivity, allowing teams to automate processes without external consultants. Savings arise from reduced staff hours, minimized errors, and decreased labor costs. Companies have successfully replaced full-time workloads and reallocated resources to focus on more crucial tasks, enhancing overall efficiency and quick recovery of initial investments.

Pricing

Fortra's Automate offers a strategic pricing model, appealing to enterprise buyers with its flexibility and competitiveness. The product is priced per bot, allowing multiple processes on a single bot without extra charges. Users highlight its affordability, noting it as cheaper compared to UiPath, Automation Anywhere, and Blue Prism. With options for one-time licensing or annual fees around $20,000, Automate provides competitive pricing, especially considering unlimited bot options for expansive automation needs.

"It has gone up in price. The price of Fortra's Automate has increased since we first started using it. It does a lot but also costs a lot. It was a lot more affordable before Fortra owned the software."
"I believe the price falls within a reasonable range, which significantly influenced our decision regarding the product. This aspect is crucial for any technological solution, especially in our country where enterprises might be hesitant to invest heavily in something untested or uncertain about its practicality and potential returns."
"Once you buy the software, you just pay for the support for backend help."

Popular Use Cases

Service providers, consultants, and distributors utilize Fortra's Automate across various sectors such as banking, healthcare, logistics, and HR to streamline workflows. They employ it for invoice automation, HR reporting, data migration, and file manipulations. Tasks include downloading reports, automating onboarding, and executing SQL statements. Automate assists in reducing manual efforts, thus enhancing efficiency and precision in daily operations. Its capabilities are leveraged both on-premises and in the cloud for diverse automation needs.

Service and Support

Customers find Fortra's Automate customer service and support responsive and knowledgeable, often receiving answers within a day. Assistance is accessible via email, phone, and chat. Although quick, language barriers and ticket updates can pose challenges. Training and documentation are available, enhancing the experience. Customers appreciate the comprehensive service and technical expertise, although the knowledge base organization can be confusing. Many rate it highly, with some highlighting the quick problem-solving approach.

Deployment

Fortra's Automate initial setup is easy and straightforward. Users find deployment rapid and uncomplicated, taking about an hour or less. Minimal technical expertise is required, making it accessible for non-technical users. Organizations appreciate its simplicity compared to other platforms. Maintenance is manageable with periodic updates. Users experience smooth transitions, including cloud migrations. Automate's flexibility in handling attended and unattended workflows boosts its appeal, and its integration capabilities enhance utility further.

Scalability

Fortra's Automate is highly scalable due to its flexible licensing and deployment, allowing multiple agents and load balancing for tasks. Users have experienced successful scaling with increased bots, agents, and resources. Some find expansion costly or complex, but others appreciate its ease of use and competitive pricing compared to alternatives. Challenges exist in some on-premise scenarios, and varied deployment experiences are noted, including successful implementations across different organizational sizes and industries.

Stability

Fortra's Automate is praised for its stability, with most experiencing no crashes or glitches. While some report minor issues, such as slowdowns with large files, these occurrences are infrequent. Instabilities in older versions seem resolved in version 11. A few users encounter errors or connectivity issues, but these are typically due to their infrastructure. Users highlight its reliability, with ratings often around eight or nine out of ten. Some suggest improvements, like a free development environment.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Fortra's Automate Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

15%

Computer Software Company

14%

Healthcare Company

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Government

Insurance Company

Comms Service Provider

Legal Firm

Energy/Utilities Company

Retailer

University

Wholesaler/Distributor

Real Estate/Law Firm

Media Company

Construction Company

Outsourcing Company

Hospitality Company

Consumer Goods Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Non Profit

Performing Arts

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Transportation Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Wellness & Fitness Company

Engineering Company

Marketing Services Firm

Compare Fortra's Automate with alternative products

Learn more about Fortra's Automate

What are the key features?

Scheduling Tools: Enables precise control and timing for automation tasks
Integration Capabilities: Seamlessly connects with various systems and software
File Interaction: Comprehensive functions for file manipulation and transfer
Secure Transfers: Ensures data safety during file transfers
User-Friendly: Minimal technical skills needed for deployment and use

What benefits should you look for in reviews?

Ease of Implementation: Fast and simple setup process
Time Savings: Reduces time spent on repetitive tasks
Process Simplification: Streamlines complex workflows
Customer Support: Access to continuous support and updates

In various industries such as healthcare, transportation, and payroll, Fortra's Automate automates workflows like invoice generation, data retrieval, data uploading, and insurance eligibility checks, enhancing efficiency and accuracy for HR and operational tasks.

Fortra's Automate was previously known as HelpSystems Automate, Automate.

Fortra's Automate customers

Aldergrove Financial Group, Preferred Health Professionals, Mindbeam Technologies, First Credit Union in British Columbia, Vestcom International, Prime Liberty Benefits, University of Tampa, CNLBancshares, World Precision Instruments, BJ's Restaurants, Globe Pequot Press, Accudata Technologies, Norton Healthcare, Pacific Toxicology Laboratories