Appian Reviews

Name: Appian
Brand: Appian
Rating: 4.2 (61 reviews)

Vendor: Appian

4.2 out of 5

61 reviews
95% willing to recommend

3,100 followers

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What is Appian?

Appian is a unified low-code platform and solution used by businesses to build enterprise applications and workflows. This product adapts to the needs of clients and the technologies they are already using to combine their data in a single workflow and maximize resources. The platform has four main components through which it transforms the work process for companies of various sizes. They are:

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Appian is the #4 ranked solution in top Low-Code Development Platforms, #5 ranked solution in top Process Automation solutions, #5 ranked solution in top Rapid Application Development Software, #6 ranked solution in BPM Software, and #6 ranked solution in top Process Mining solutions. PeerSpot users give Appian an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Appian is most commonly compared to Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC): Appian vs Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC). Appian is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 50% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 30% of all views.

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Featured Appian reviews

Srimanta Pandit

Senior Consultant at Protiviti consulting

The solution’s turnaround time for development is better compared to other tools. The solution enables fast development. The traceability of the processor is good. There is much more governance and regulations on the processers. The tool reduces the time of the processes by 30% to 40%. The solution’s low-code aspect has greatly impacted the development and deployment speed. One of the major reasons we are using the product is that we can reuse the modules. The developers can reuse all the modules. It enables us to make subsequent developments in less time. The prebuilt modules can be deployed within two to three weeks. The tool is very flexible. Compared to other platforms, the Appian product team was agile in quickly customizing things for us.

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RAVIRANJAN

Project Manager at Telus Digital

We have a partnership with Appian. We have worked with Appian to deal with issues. They have already incorporated many things into their platform. One of the things we have discussed, which I can highlight, is related to Excel manipulations. They have incorporated their Excel manipulations so it's far better than the earlier version. Earlier, we had to go with a plugin for even a simple Excel or spreadsheet calculation. Now, they have included all those things in their own out-of-the-box functionality. It's definitely a tool and does not require high code language. There could be a scope of enhancement for capturing the variety of use cases. One thing, for example, is Excel manipulation, which they now provide in their out of box functionality, however, that can still be improved.

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Nitin-Agarwal

Delivery Manager (Intelligent Business Automation) - Pega at Persistent Systems

I am working with all of these products: Pega, Appian, and OutSystems. I use Appian as a process orchestrator for workflow and rule-based routing, and it is preferred when I am developing an enterprise-wide application. The application is mobile-friendly, allowing me to use it across any device…

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Appian mindshare

Product category:

As of March 2025, the mindshare of Appian in the Business Process Management (BPM) category stands at 6.1%, down from 6.4% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Business Process Management (BPM)

PeerAnalyst reports based on Appian reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Business Process Management (BPM)	Mar 23, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Mar 23, 2025	Download
Comparison	Appian vs Camunda	Mar 23, 2025	Download
Comparison	Appian vs Apache Airflow	Mar 23, 2025	Download
Comparison	Appian vs Automation Anywhere	Mar 23, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC)	3.9	1.2%	93%	182 interviews Add to research
Camunda	4.1	21.5%	89%	77 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Appian's most valuable features include rapid development with low-code, robust process design, seamless integration, and user-friendly interfaces. The platform excels in business process management, case management, and automation. Users appreciate its cohesive architecture, fast deployment, and ease of use. The frequent updates align with market needs, and extensive integration capabilities enhance functionality. Its ability to execute BPMN 2.0, intuitive UI, and cloud-native workflows set it apart in the industry.

"Appian is a stable product and works very well."
"The application is mobile-friendly, allowing me to use it across any device, whether mobile, laptop, or desktop."
"It is easy for me to define the process and create configurable workflows."

Room for Improvement

Appian users express that the platform needs enhanced flexibility for UI customization and mobile development. Integration with enterprise tools and improved DevOps capabilities are desired. Complex data handling and scalability could be optimized, while memory utilization requires improvement. Training resources and better handling of business events are also necessary. Reducing licensing costs and incorporating more enterprise features could benefit Appian's market reach.

"If there is a very complex process that includes a lot of data transitioning and memory-centric processes, it consumes a lot of memory."
"From a reseller's point of view, subscription licensing could be improved to be more cost-effective, especially for new prospects and smaller investments."
"It is difficult to set up the on-premise version."

ROI

Most organizations see a positive return with Appian. It enhances digital transformation by aligning people, processes, and technology, often boosting profits. Some report a process time reduction of about 85%, reaching break-even in the first year. Though determining ROI can be complex, Appian enjoys widespread adoption and satisfaction. While data on the exact figures is limited, users typically achieve their goals and objectives over time.

Pricing

Appian's pricing is seen as reasonable compared to competitors like IBM and Oracle, though it can be on the higher side for a complete enterprise solution. Licensing models are flexible, offering on-premises and cloud options, with costs typically based on users or workload. While initial costs may appear high, ROI is often justified by its rapid development model and comprehensive business value. Some users note that pricing may increase with larger user bases or specific use cases.

"The tool is quite costly."
"The license is not very cheap. It's on the expensive side."
"The cost is calculated on a per-user basis. It might be expensive for small and mid-sized enterprises."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily utilize Appian for business and process automation, low-code application development, and workflow management. Widely adopted for HR onboarding, enterprise integration, document management, and various industry-specific processes, it enhances operational efficiency. Appian's capabilities include real-time data integration, enterprise-scale BPM, task scheduling, and approval workflows. It is employed to streamline operations in sectors like retail, banking, telecom, and manufacturing, offering customizable workflows, robust automation, and seamless scalability in both cloud and on-premises settings.

Service and Support

Appian's customer service receives mixed feedback. Smaller entities find Appian's team responsive, valuing attentive support. Many describe technical support as effective, addressing issues promptly, especially high-severity ones. Some find complex problems require more time and expertise. Several note improvements needed in response times, platform-specific assistance, and interactions based on partnerships. Appian's community aids troubleshooting. Others appreciate Appian's documentation and forum, noting high satisfaction among different locations but still recognizing room for development in certain areas.

Deployment

Users find Appian's initial setup generally straightforward, especially its cloud option which is minimal and fast. On-premise setups may require more technical expertise but are manageable with the right skills. Most report a smooth experience, though some complexities arise with configurations and specific integrations. For larger, mission-critical applications, additional planning and expertise are advised. In many cases, Appian's support and documentation facilitate the deployment process effectively.

Scalability

Appian is highly scalable, handling thousands of concurrent processes efficiently. Scalability is influenced by user expertise and architecture decisions. It is versatile for various enterprise sizes but may face limits with large data volumes. Cloud deployment enhances scalability, although hardware and development practices can impact performance. Despite potential integration challenges, Appian remains agile with strong scaling capabilities. Performance issues are usually resolvable with technical adjustments or better understanding of its architecture.

Stability

Appian shows impressive reliability and stability across versions. Users note the importance of following best practices to maintain performance, especially with data-intensive tasks. Many report no significant downtime, praising its robust performance even in demanding environments. Minor issues arise, often due to improper development practices. Its uptime is consistently high, particularly noted for AWS-hosted deployments. Effective support and seamless updates contribute to a positive experience, with many rating stability highly.

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

Download our Appian Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

30%

Financial Services Firm

16%

Computer Software Company

10%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Insurance Company

Healthcare Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

University

Retailer

Energy/Utilities Company

Media Company

Comms Service Provider

Non Profit

Outsourcing Company

Construction Company

Legal Firm

Hospitality Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Transportation Company

Performing Arts

Consumer Goods Company

Logistics Company

Compare Appian with alternative products

Learn more about Appian

Complete automation: Through complete automation, companies are able to coordinate and manage employees, existing systems, bots, data, and artificial intelligence (AI) in a single workflow. The solution offers a way to centrally manage all third-party automation vendors as well.
Low-code applications: Appian offers the ability to build applications faster with visual development and low-code tools. All applications are ready-made to be suitable for mobile.
Low-code data: Appian lets companies source data from multiple types of sources, eliminating the need for data migration. Through no-code and low-code solutions and industry-standard connectors, the platform also eliminates the need for data silos.
Enterprise ready: The platform offers options for companies to scale their businesses to an enterprise level without complications.

Appian is utilized across a diverse set of industries, including automotive and manufacturing, energy and utilities, education, financial services, telecom and media, transportation, retail, insurance, healthcare, and life sciences. The most frequent use cases of Appian are customer journey, governance, risk and compliance, operational efficiency, supply chain, distributed order management, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management.

Appian Features

Appian has various features that allow users to create solutions for their businesses. These features can be separated into a few groups according to function, including automation, low-code application development, and integrations and data. Some of the most frequently used features of Appian include:

Robotic process automation (RPA): Users of Appian can assign software bots to perform rules-based tasks that need to be repeated over a set course of time. This can improve efficiency and performance within an organization while saving human resources.
Intelligent document processing: The tool offers a feature for quick and accurate extraction and structuring of data. This can reduce time and costs for organizations because it eliminates the need for outsourcing such services.
AI: Appian utilizes artificial intelligence to enhance applications, workflows, and automation. AI is also used to address complex processes and unique situations.
Business rules: Organizations can automate and simplify work processes while adhering to their operating procedures.
Application development: Appian provides a low-code development feature that allows users to deploy applications over ten times faster than through conventional approaches. This feature not only allows for quick application building, but also applications that run on multiple types of platforms, seamless data integration, and business scalability.
Integrations and data: Appian allows for data integration from a wide array of sources without the need for migration. This contributes to easy access to data across systems, real-time data insights, improved user experience, and accelerated development.

Appian Benefits

The benefits of using Appian include:

The solution ensures seamless organization growth, as it supports various UX patterns, common data schemes, and upgrades, used to facilitate application development on a bigger scale.
Appian can increase process speed and deliver applications considerably faster compared to conventional development.
The platform is easy to use and suitable for complete beginners to build applications and workflows.
Appian offers a variety of design tools that facilitate development and deployment.
Appian offers detailed real-time data insight which allows organizations to access relevant information about their processes as they are developing.
The solution offers clients the ability to move data between the cloud, on-premise, and hybrid configurations.
The platform is easy to optimize, which allows businesses to utilize it according to their personal needs.
Appian offers connectivity across web, mobile, email, voice, and chat, providing a multi-channel experience for companies and their clients.

Reviews from Real Users

A practice leader - digital process automation at a computer software company values Appian highly because the product is easy to develop, low-code, and has a good user interface.

Alan G., an advisory board member at Codecon VR, Appian offers a clear application life cycle, easy to learn documentation, and comes with a fundamentals course.

Appian was previously known as Appian BPM, Appian AnyWhere, Appian Enterprise BPMS.

Appian customers

Hansard Global plc, Punch Taverns, Pirelli, Crawford & Company, EDP Renewables, Queensland Government Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (, Bank of Tennessee