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US PRODUCT RESEARCH

Microsoft Power Automate

Microsoft's cloud and desktop automation platform. Pricing separates per-user attended automation from unattended bot capacity, while Copilot helps create cloud flows.

Checked Oct 15, 2026 · 10 official sources · Desk research
Workflow automation
A GOOD FIT WHEN

Organizations building workflows across Microsoft services and applications with Power Platform administration.

  • Cloud and desktop automation options
  • Published US pricing for user and bot plans
  • Central connector policies in Power Platform
LOOK MORE CLOSELY WHEN

You assume a Premium user license includes unlimited unattended robots or every Copilot Studio agent capability.

  • Attended and unattended automation have different licenses
  • Advanced AI services may require separate licensing or capacity
  • Administration and connection ownership need deliberate setup

CATEGORY-SPECIFIC EVIDENCE

Capabilities, controls and depth.

Scores combine core capabilities and workflow depth. Full support earns full points; limited support earns half. Unverified features create a range, and paid-plan requirements are shown in the evidence. How scoring works →

Workflow automation · 28 features
58–100/100 documented fit
Core capabilities32 / 32 pts10/10 checks with established status
Workflow depth25.6–68 / 68 pts5/18 checks with established status
Showing fewer rows does not change the score.
Workflow automation · 28 weighted capability checks
Feature / weightSupport, evidence & points
Core capabilityApplication connectorsUse supported connector operations to connect business applications.
4 points maximum		Supported4 / 4 pts

Certified connectors are documented.

Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityCustom APIs or webhooksConnect a custom HTTP API, webhook or custom connector.
4 points maximum		Supported4 / 4 pts

Custom connectors are documented.

Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkConnection identity and access scopeConfigure or inspect the identity/credentials and scope used by a connected application.
5.6 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Show which account a workflow uses and which data/actions its connection can access.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Not verified0–5.6 / 5.6 pts

The reviewed evidence does not establish this advanced behavior: connection identity and access scope. Request the demonstration above; absence of public evidence does not establish absence of the feature.

Not verified · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkAuthenticated webhook or API triggerProtect an inbound webhook/API trigger with authentication or documented verification controls.
6.4 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Call a test endpoint without valid credentials and show it being rejected.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Not verified0–6.4 / 6.4 pts

The reviewed evidence does not establish this advanced behavior: authenticated webhook or api trigger. Request the demonstration above; absence of public evidence does not establish absence of the feature.

Not verified · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityConditional workflow pathsBranch or filter workflow execution based on conditions.
4 points maximum		Supported4 / 4 pts

Condition actions run different steps according to true/false results.

Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityData transformation stepsMap, format or transform data between workflow steps.
4 points maximum		Supported4 / 4 pts

Data operations compose, select, join, filter arrays and parse JSON.

Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkIteration with conditional pathsProcess a list with loops/iteration and branch according to each item’s result.
5.6 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Process three records, route one exception separately and show the per-record results.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Supported5.6 / 5.6 pts

Conditions provide true/false paths; data operations filter and transform arrays.

Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkExplicit error branch or fallbackDefine what should happen when an intermediate action fails.
6.4 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Fail the second step and show the configured fallback rather than a silent incomplete run.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Supported6.4 / 6.4 pts

Run-after settings and grouped scopes implement try/catch, error logging and termination.

Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityExecution history and monitoringInspect workflow runs, job history or execution status.
3.2 points maximum		Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts

Flow run history and error diagnosis are documented.

Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityFailure handling or replayHandle errors or retry/replay a failed execution.
3.2 points maximum		Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts

Retry policies are documented.

Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkPer-step input/output diagnosticsInspect individual step results and errors in a workflow execution.
4.8 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Open a failed run and show which step failed and the input/output relevant to repair.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts

Run history identifies a failed step and its detailed error message.

Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkControlled retry or failed-run replayConfigure or initiate retries/replay with visible execution boundaries.
4.8 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Retry the failed work and explain which completed actions will or will not run again.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts

Failed runs can retry with the same input; individual action policies support retries with backoff.

Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityWorkflow or team permissionsLimit access to workflows, teams or shared connections.
2.4 points maximum		Supported2.4 / 2.4 pts

Cloud flows distinguish owners from run-only users; sharing requires an eligible license.

Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityDeployment or connection policy controlsUse environments, managed secrets, connector policies or comparable deployment controls.
2.4 points maximum		Supported2.4 / 2.4 pts

Data policies restrict connector use and can affect running flows.

Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkWorkflow version or change historyInspect or restore earlier workflow definitions or a change history.
3.2 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Change a workflow, then show the previous version and restoration/audit options.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Not verified0–3.2 / 3.2 pts

The reviewed evidence does not establish this advanced behavior: workflow version or change history. Request the demonstration above; absence of public evidence does not establish absence of the feature.

Not verified · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkRestricted shared credentials or secretsControl which collaborators can use or administer shared credentials/secrets.
4 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Give a colleague workflow access while showing the boundary around connection credentials.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Supported4 / 4 pts

Run-only users and owners have different rights; an owner cannot change another owner’s connection credentials.

Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityAI workflow-building assistanceUse natural language or AI assistance to construct or change a workflow.
2.4 points maximum		Supported2.4 / 2.4 pts

Copilot creates and refines supported cloud flows within environment settings.

Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityAI or agent steps at runtimeRun a model, agent or tool-enabled AI step inside an operational workflow.
2.4 points maximum		Supported2.4 / 2.4 pts

AI Builder prompt actions generate text inside a flow; region, capacity and licensing conditions apply.

Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkAI step uses configured business contextProvide an AI step with explicit workflow data, knowledge or connected business records.
3.2 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Show the exact source records passed into an AI step for a sample execution.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Not verified0–3.2 / 3.2 pts

The reviewed evidence does not establish this advanced behavior: ai step uses configured business context. Request the demonstration above; absence of public evidence does not establish absence of the feature.

Not verified · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkHuman approval before AI actionsInsert an approval or review boundary before AI-generated output triggers a consequential action.
4 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Let AI propose a record change and show the run waiting for human approval.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Not verified0–4 / 4 pts

The reviewed evidence does not establish this advanced behavior: human approval before ai actions. Request the demonstration above; absence of public evidence does not establish absence of the feature.

Not verified · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkDetect prompt-injection attempts before agent tool useDemonstrate: Detect prompt-injection attempts before agent tool use. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use a sample event, a repeated event and a failing destination.
2.5 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Demonstrate: Detect prompt-injection attempts before agent tool use. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use a sample event, a repeated event and a failing destination.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts

This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan.

Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source
Depth checkOmit sensitive payloads from stored execution logsDemonstrate: Omit sensitive payloads from stored execution logs. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use a sample event, a repeated event and a failing destination.
2.5 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Demonstrate: Omit sensitive payloads from stored execution logs. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use a sample event, a repeated event and a failing destination.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts

This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan.

Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source
Depth checkPreserve event order across successive executionsDemonstrate: Preserve event order across successive executions. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use a sample event, a repeated event and a failing destination.
2.5 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Demonstrate: Preserve event order across successive executions. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use a sample event, a repeated event and a failing destination.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts

This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan.

Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source
Depth checkChoose pause or discard behaviour when failure storage is fullDemonstrate: Choose pause or discard behaviour when failure storage is full. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use a sample event, a repeated event and a failing destination.
2.5 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Demonstrate: Choose pause or discard behaviour when failure storage is full. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use a sample event, a repeated event and a failing destination.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts

This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan.

Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source
Depth checkStop a workflow after a configured execution timeoutDemonstrate: Stop a workflow after a configured execution timeout. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use a sample event, a repeated event and a failing destination.
2.5 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Demonstrate: Stop a workflow after a configured execution timeout. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use a sample event, a repeated event and a failing destination.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts

This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan.

Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source
Depth checkSuspend execution and resume from an external callbackDemonstrate: Suspend execution and resume from an external callback. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use a sample event, a repeated event and a failing destination.
2.5 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Demonstrate: Suspend execution and resume from an external callback. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use a sample event, a repeated event and a failing destination.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts

This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan.

Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source
Depth checkRestrict workflow requests to approved destinationsDemonstrate: Restrict workflow requests to approved destinations. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use a sample event, a repeated event and a failing destination.
2.5 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Demonstrate: Restrict workflow requests to approved destinations. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use a sample event, a repeated event and a failing destination.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts

This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan.

Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source
Depth checkRoll back supported transactional changes on failureDemonstrate: Roll back supported transactional changes on failure. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use a sample event, a repeated event and a failing destination.
2.5 points maximum
Ask for a demonstration

Demonstrate: Roll back supported transactional changes on failure. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use a sample event, a repeated event and a failing destination.

A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.
Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts

This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan.

Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source
Compare in Workflow automation →

AI CAPABILITY CHECK

What does its AI actually do?

AI assistance

Copilot assists natural-language cloud-flow creation and configuration. This should be distinguished from separately licensed autonomous agent products.

Official AI source

Documented capabilities

  • Natural-language cloud-flow creation
  • Assisted configuration of flow steps
  • Conversational refinement of supported flows

Limits to check

  • Availability depends on supported scenarios and environment settings
  • Copilot Studio is a separate product boundary
  • Review generated connections and actions before deployment

Understand the full price

Premium is $15 per user/month, paid yearly. Process is $150 per bot/month and Hosted Process $215 per bot/month, both paid yearly.

Billing basis: annual. Unit: user/month. Currency: USD.

  • Unattended Process or Hosted Process capacity
  • Additional AI or Copilot Studio licensing as applicable
  • Storage and process-mining requirements

Verify current pricing with the vendor

Integrations and deployment

  • Microsoft ecosystem connectors
  • Dataverse
  • Custom connectors

Power Platform data policies can restrict connectors and actions. Policy changes can affect existing runtime flows as well as new designs.

US buying context

Verified US prices are annual-commitment monthly equivalents; calculate users and unattended bots separately.

The evidence record

Premium costs $15 per user/month paid yearly.

Official evidence

Unattended Process licensing is separate from Premium.

Official evidence

Copilot can assist cloud-flow creation.

Official evidence

Data policies govern connector use at design and runtime.

Official evidence

Cloud flows provide run history and error troubleshooting.

Official evidence

Source library

  1. US automation pricing
  2. Copilot cloud-flow authoring
  3. Connector data policies
  4. Run history and troubleshooting
  5. Feature documentation
  6. Feature documentation
  7. Feature documentation
  8. Feature documentation
  9. Workflow depth documentation
  10. Workflow depth documentation

Research is based on documentation, not a hands-on performance test. Report a correction.

EXPLORE THE ALTERNATIVES

Keep your options open.

Workflow automation alternatives · highest documented score first.

47–100/100 documented fit

Make

A visual integration platform that routes data through connected modules and AI agents. Its credit system charges for work performed, so a single run can consume many credits.

Good fit forOperations teams that want visible branching and transformations across cloud applications.
Usage basedcredits
View research
42–100/100 documented fit

Zapier

A cloud automation platform for connecting business apps through event-driven workflows, with tables, forms, and AI actions. Task billing makes workflow design part of the purchasing decision.

Good fit forBusiness teams connecting familiar cloud applications without maintaining an integration server.
See pricingtask allowance
View research
40–100/100 documented fit

Workato

An integration and orchestration platform with self-service credit plans and broader enterprise editions. Recipes combine app actions, conditional logic, error handling, and AI capabilities.

Good fit forTeams that want production integration controls and a path from self-service to enterprise orchestration.
$75.00month for 2,500 credits
View research

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