Automate Reviews

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

4.2 out of 5

26 reviews
95% willing to recommend

1,922 followers

What is Automate?

Automate offers a user-friendly solution with a drag-and-drop interface for efficient task automation and integration with major platforms like SAP and Azure, making it ideal for quick deployment with minimal coding and training.

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Automate is the #5 ranked solution in best RPA tools. PeerSpot users give Automate an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Automate is most commonly compared to UiPath: Automate vs UiPath. 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 839,422 peers since 2012

Featured 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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Automate mindshare

As of March 2025, the mindshare of 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 Automate reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Robotic Process Automation (RPA)	Mar 4, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Mar 4, 2025	Download
Comparison	Automate vs UiPath	Mar 4, 2025	Download
Comparison	Automate vs Microsoft Power Automate	Mar 4, 2025	Download
Comparison	Automate vs Automation Anywhere	Mar 4, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
UiPath	4.4	23.8%	97%	818 interviews Add to research
Microsoft Power Automate	3.9	20.9%	87%	126 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Automate offers ease of use with a drag-and-drop interface, intuitive task development, and minimal coding required. Users appreciate its integration capabilities with databases, websites, and tools like SAP and Azure. Key features include scheduling, timing, data triggers, FTP functions, and file manipulation. Automate scales efficiently, offering robust technical support. The licensing model is favorable, deployment is quick, and pricing is competitive. Users benefit from built-in web scraping and seamless collaboration across departments.

"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

Automate needs enhancements in several areas including the user interface, security features, and OCR capabilities. Users express concerns about unreliable error messages, stability issues, and limited third-party integrations. The lack of a community edition for testing and the absence of auto-recording features also present challenges. Improvements in cloud functionality, intuitive variable management, and community engagement are suggested to enhance user experience and streamline automation processes.

"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 consistently achieve rapid ROI with Automate, minimizing labor costs and manual efforts. Cost savings and efficiency gains are evident within 90 to 120 days. Automate simplifies development, enables swift deployment, and enhances productivity by reducing errors and repetitive tasks. Companies utilize Automate for diverse functions, transforming IT into a profit center. Automation empowers teams to increase output while preserving resources, saving millions through reduced effort and operational improvements.

Pricing

Automate's pricing is a key advantage, offering flexibility through licensing or a one-time purchase based on user numbers. With an annual package around $20,000 and options like a $6,000 perpetual license, it is competitively priced against UiPath and Blue Prism. Pricing per bot, rather than per process, enhances cost efficiency. Enterprise licenses, including an unlimited option, offer cost-effective scaling. Users appreciate the value, highlighting Automate as a reasonable and strategic investment.

"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

Companies primarily use Automate for streamlining various operational tasks across industries such as banking, insurance, healthcare, and logistics. It handles file transfers, data extraction, report generation, HR processes, invoice automation, and more. Its integration with systems like SAP, and SQL databases, and email handling capabilities make it versatile. Automation of bulk orders, financial transactions, and repetitive IT tasks enhances efficiency, reduces manual work, and helps organizations improve their operational processes.

Service and Support

Automate's customer service and support are generally prompt and effective, with responses often within 24 hours. Users praise quick resolutions and helpful guidance. While some report challenges due to language barriers or knowledge base usability, many appreciate direct communication options like chat and email. Training and documentation are well-received. Support personnel are recognized for their technical expertise, yet sometimes face difficulties understanding user processes. Quick responsiveness is a common highlight, rating highly among users.

Deployment

Automate's initial setup is consistently described as easy and straightforward. Users highlight its minimal complexity, requiring little technical expertise and rapid deployment. Many appreciate the straightforward process, often completing setup in a few hours. Users find Automate requires minimal maintenance, noting the ease of integrating with existing systems and performing updates. Even those with limited technical skills find it accessible, preferring it over more complex alternatives like Micro Focus or UiPath.

Scalability

Automate demonstrates strong scalability with flexible deployment options, including multiple agents and load balancing. It accommodates various organizational sizes by supporting high availability and easy upgrades, though costs may vary. The adaptability of Automate allows expansion in different environments, with limitations on operating system support. While some entities restrict its use to specific departments, others apply it network-wide, finding it efficiently meets growth needs. Enterprises recognize Automate's capabilities for expanding their automated processes.

Stability

Automate's stability is usually reliable, especially in newer versions. Users encounter occasional connectivity issues and crashes, but these aren't frequent. Some find it resource-intensive, requiring careful environment management. While a free development environment is suggested, many describe it as stable with no significant instabilities. Task execution can slow down, particularly with large files or debugging, but for most, Automate remains robust and dependable, earning an eight to nine rating for stability.

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

Download our 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

Marketing Services Firm

Transportation Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Wellness & Fitness Company

Engineering Company

Compare Automate with alternative products

Learn more about Automate

Automate provides powerful features for businesses seeking efficient automation, offering compatibility with databases, email integration, and cloud platforms. Its simple interface supports both beginners and experienced users, simplifying tasks like invoice processing, HR automation, and data transformation. Cost-effective pricing and flexible licensing enhance its appeal while integration capabilities and scheduling tools ensure smooth workflow automation.

What are Automate's Key Features?

Drag-and-Drop Interface: Simplifies automation with intuitive design.
Integration Capabilities: Connects with platforms like SAP and Azure for seamless data flow.
Database and FTP Triggers: Enhances automation potential through direct data interaction.
Efficient Scheduling: Automates tasks with precise timing and control.
Web Scraping: Automates data extraction for quick analysis and reporting.

What Benefits and ROI Should Users Expect?

Rapid Deployment: Minimizes coding efforts for quick implementation.
Cost-Effectiveness: Offers flexible pricing models to suit budget constraints.
Operational Efficiency: Reduces manual workloads and enhances productivity.
Comprehensive Integration: Facilitates improved data management across systems.
Scalability: Adapts to growing business needs with ease.

In industries such as healthcare, banking, and logistics, Automate is used for tasks like invoice payment automation, data transformation, and task automation. This leads to streamlined processes and reduced manual workload, illustrating its value in enhancing operational efficiency through diversified workflows.

Automate was previously known as HelpSystems Automate, Automate.

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