Best automation tools for small business

• Estimate your monthly runs. Most automation tools charge per task or operation. Count how often each automation will fire before you compare prices.
• Check your apps are supported. A native connection to the tools you already use beats building custom workarounds.
• Look for error alerts. Automations fail quietly. You want to be told when a step breaks, not find out weeks later.
• Match the tool to your skills. Simple tools are quick for basic jobs. Visual, more technical tools handle complex logic but take longer to learn.
• Know where your data goes. Customer details pass through these tools, so check where they’re stored and for how long.

Want to know how I judge each tool? See how I test software.