But with so many options available, it’s not always easy to find your way around. Should you opt for a simple, accessible tool like Zapier, a more powerful platform like Make, or a data manager like Airtable? In this guide, we present our selection of the 12 best automation tools for developing your business in 2025, with their strengths and limitations, and our advice on how to make the right choice.
What is an automation tool?
A automation tool is a platform for creating automatic processes between different applications or tasks. For example: when a prospect fills in a form on your website, a welcome email is sent automatically, and then their information is added to your CRM.
The aim is simple: to reduce repetitive manual tasks and concentrate on high value-added actions. Today, these tools are accessible to everyone, even those with no technical skills, thanks to the no-code and intuitive interfaces.
These platforms often operate on the “if this, then that” principle (IFTTT). They link your tools (e-mail, CRM, databases, social networks, e-commerce) and create intelligent workflows. The result: fewer errors, greater speed and considerable productivity gains.
How to choose the right automation tool to develop your business?
Before taking the plunge, ask yourself three questions:
What is my main goal? Connect apps (Zapier, Make), manage data (Airtable, Notion), create a site (Webflow, Carrd) or develop a mobile app (Glide, Adalo, Draftbit).
What’s my technical level? Beginner → opt for simple interfaces like Zapier or Glide. More advanced → opt for Make or n8n.
What’s my budget? Some tools offer free plans for testing, but become expensive with intensive use.
Tip: start by automating a single repetitive task. Once you’ve measured the gain, extend it to other processes.
Top 12 automation tools in 2025
Zapier is probably the best-known name in automation. It allows you to connect over 6,000 applications (Slack, Gmail, HubSpot, Google Sheets, etc.) and create simple automations in just a few clicks.
It’s the perfect tool for non-technical people who want to save time fast. Whether you want to automatically send an email after placing an order, or save your files in the cloud, Zapier offers an infinite number of ready-to-use scenarios.
Benefits
- Ideal for coding-free beginners
- Huge library of connected apps
- Immediate productivity gains
Disadvantages
- High prices for large projects
- Dense interface for beginners
Make is the tool of choice for tech and growth teams. Where Zapier simplifies to the max, Make offers total freedom: you can create complex scenarios, with conditional branches, loops and API integrations.
Its visual “bubble” interface is more technical, but allows you to visualize your workflows and process very large volumes of data at low cost.
Benefits
- Ideal for complex workflows
- More affordable than large-scale Zapier
- Technical teams' favorite tool
Disadvantages
- Some less well-integrated apps
- Dense interface for beginners
Airtable combines the simplicity of Excel with the power of a database. More than just a spreadsheet, it lets you create customized applications to manage your data and automate your processes.
It’s the perfect tool for centralizing your information, collaborating with your teams and launching automations (emails, notifications, synchronizations).
Benefits
- A familiar, simple interface
- Centralize your data in one place
- Powerful integrated automation
Disadvantages
- Limited free version
- Increasing complexity with large projects
Notion is much more than a note-taking tool. It’s a productivity platform where you can manage projects, create databases and automate certain tasks.
Thanks to its integrations, Notion becomes a central hub for collaborative work. More and more teams are using it as their company’s “operating system”.
Key features
- Collaborative databases
- Templates for projects and CRM
- Integrations via Zapier and Make
- Centralized collaborative spaces
Benefits
- Pleasant, modern interface
- Ideal for team productivity
- Great flexibility of use
Disadvantages
- Requires external integration
- Limited native automation
Webflow is the reference tool for creating websites without coding, with a quality approaching that of bespoke development. But it goes even further with its marketing integrations and automations.
It’s a strategic choice for startups and SMEs who want a fast, aesthetic and scalable site, while retaining control without depending on a developer.
Benefits
- Professional website design without coding
- Possible marketing automations
- Modern, scalable design
Disadvantages
- More expensive than a simple website
- Sometimes requires a designer
Glide lets you create mobile applications from a single Google Sheets sheet. It’s the perfect tool for quickly launching an in-house app or MVP.
Thanks to its automations, you can connect your app to other services and streamline your processes in record time.
Key features
- Creation from Google Sheets
- Integrated automation
- Connections via Zapier/Make
Benefits
- Launch an app in just a few hours
- Ideal for an MVP or in-house app
- Accessible even without coding
Disadvantages
- Not ideal for large projects
- Dependence on Google Sheets
Bubble is the leader in advanced no-code. It lets you create complex web applications without writing a single line of code.
Highly flexible, it is used by startups to develop complete SaaS or automated marketplaces.
Benefits
- Create complex apps without coding
- Highly flexible and customizable
- Ideal for SaaS startups
Disadvantages
- Occasionally limited performance
- High prices for large projects
Adalo is a no-code tool for creating native mobile applications. Unlike Glide, it offers greater customization and a more app-like experience.
It appeals to those who want to quickly launch an app on the App Store or Google Play.
Benefits
- Mobile apps without coding
- Extensive customization
- Simple publication
Disadvantages
- Less powerful than Bubble
- Limited performance
Carrd is an ultra-simple tool for creating automated landing pages. Lightweight and fast, it’s perfect for testing an idea, creating a sign-up page or launching a product.
It integrates easily with tools such as Zapier or Airtable, allowing you to automate your forms and campaigns.
Benefits
- Integrations with Zapier, Airtable, Mailchimp
- Easy integration for automation
- Ultra-simple and fast
Disadvantages
- Not for big sites
- Limited functionality
Draftbit is a no-code builder specializing in complex mobile applications. Unlike Adalo or Glide, it is aimed at more technical teams who want to retain control over the code they generate.
It combines the power of no-code with the flexibility of code, making it perfect for scalable apps.
Benefits
- Combines no-code and code flexibility
- Ideal for ambitious projects
- More technical and scalable
Disadvantages
- More complex than Glide or Adalo
- Reserved for technical teams
Bonus - 5 other automation tools you need to know about
01. n8n: n8n is an open source alternative to Zapier and Make. Its strength lies in its flexibility: you can host it yourself and create unlimited automations without depending on a subscription.
2. Tray.io: Tray is an automation platform designed for enterprises. It enables the management of large-scale, complex integrations, with a high level of security and reliability.
03. IFTTT: IFTTT is one of the pioneers of consumer automation. It makes it easy to connect your IoT applications and devices (home automation, social networks, etc.).
04. Parabola: Parabola specializes in automated data management. You can import, transform and export your data without coding. Very useful for e-commerce and data teams.
05. HubSpot Workflows: HubSpot isn’t just a CRM: its suite includes powerful marketing automation workflows. You can automate your emails, customer scoring and sales pipeline.
FAQ
Zapier, Airtable and Notion are perfect for a first step.
Zapier is simple and accessible, while Make is more flexible and technical.
Yes, with Webflow or Carrd, coupled with Zapier or Airtable.
Glide and Adalo for beginners, Draftbit and Bubble for more complex projects.
No, even a small business can save several hours a week by automating its tasks.