Top 10 Free Alternatives to Appian in 2025

As Appian remains a leading player in the low-code automation arena, 2025 introduces several free alternatives that excel in their unique functionalities. Whether you're looking for cost-effective solutions, flexibility, or specialized features, this article explores the top 10 Appian alternatives, detailed in their key data points like pricing, usability, and targeted use cases.

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1. Creatio

Type: No-Code/Low-Code Platform
Focus: Workflow automation, application development, CRM.
Strengths: Unified platform, high degree of user freedom, suitable for varied use cases.
Free Plan/Trial: Offers a free trial.
Pricing: Paid plans available, specific pricing details require contact with vendor. Learn more about Creatio

2. ProcessMaker

Type: Low-Code BPM
Focus: Business process automation, workflow orchestration.
Strengths: All-in-one platform, handles complex processes, suitable for developers.
Free Plan/Trial: Offers a free trial or a free version of the platform.
Pricing: Paid versions available for more advanced features. Explore ProcessMaker

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3. monday.com

Type: BPM/Workflow Management
Focus: Project management, process automation, workflow management.
Strengths: Versatile, user-friendly, customizable, offers various project views.
Free Plan/Trial: Offers a free trial.
Pricing: Paid plans are available with different tiers. Discover monday.com

4. Kissflow

Type: Low-Code/No-Code BPM
Focus: Business process management, workflow automation.
Strengths: User-friendly, designed for business users, easy to implement.
Free Plan/Trial: Offers a free trial.
Pricing: Offers paid plans. Learn more about Kissflow

5. Zoho Creator

Type: Low-Code/No-Code Platform
Focus: Business process management, app development.
Strengths: Comprehensive features, suitable for digitizing operations, supports mobile app development.
Free Plan/Trial: Offers a free plan and a free trial.
Pricing: Affordable paid plans available for small businesses. Explore Zoho Creator

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6. Microsoft Power Apps

Type: Low-Code Development Platform
Focus: App development, process automation.
Strengths: Integrates well with other Microsoft products, AI capabilities, good for productivity.
Free Plan/Trial: Offers a free trial.
Pricing: Per user/month subscription. Discover Microsoft Power Apps

7. ClickUp

Type: BPM/Workflow Management
Focus: Project management, workflow automation, task management.
Strengths: Highly visual, customizable, user-friendly, suitable for smaller businesses.
Free Plan/Trial: Offers a free plan and a free trial.
Pricing: Paid plans available with more advanced features. Learn more about ClickUp

8. Pipefy

Type: Workflow Automation
Focus: Business process automation, task management, data management.
Strengths: User-friendly, reduces manual data entry, good for process tracking.
Free Plan/Trial: Offers a free trial.
Pricing: Paid plans available with more features. Explore Pipefy

9. Zapier

Type: Automation Platform
Focus: App integration, workflow automation.
Strengths: User-friendly, supports thousands of apps, good for automating tasks.
Free Plan/Trial: Free plan available with limitations.
Pricing: Paid plans offer additional features and higher usage. Discover Zapier

10. Camunda

Type: Low-Code BPM
Focus: Business process automation, workflow orchestration.
Strengths: Well-suited for developers, designed for complex workflows, offers process monitoring.
Free Plan/Trial: Community Edition is free, but requires self-hosting.
Pricing: Paid plans available for enterprise needs. Learn more about Camunda

Disclaimer: Features and pricing can change. Always verify the latest details on the provider's website. The "free" alternatives often have limitations on the free tiers, or are open-source which require self-hosting and technical expertise.

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FAQ

1. What is Creatio and why is it a good alternative to Appian?

Creatio is a unified no-code platform designed for automating workflows and building applications, offering high flexibility for varied use cases. Learn more about Creatio

2. How does ProcessMaker facilitate business process automation?

ProcessMaker is a BPA platform with a drag-and-drop interface, ideal for handling complex automation challenges. It provides an all-in-one platform particularly suited for developers. Discover ProcessMaker

3. What makes monday.com a versatile BPM software?

monday.com is a comprehensive BPM software focusing on project management, process automation, and workflow management, renowned for its user-friendly and customizable features. Explore monday.com

4. Why is Kissflow suitable for business users?

Kissflow is a low-code/no-code platform designed for business process management, making it user-friendly and easy to implement for business users. Learn more about Kissflow

5. What are the key strengths of Zoho Creator?

Zoho Creator is a comprehensive BPM software that supports digitizing business operations and developing internal tools across web, iOS, and Android platforms. Explore Zoho Creator

6. How does Microsoft Power Apps integrate with other Microsoft products?

Microsoft Power Apps is a low-code development platform that integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products, boasting AI capabilities for enhanced productivity. Discover Microsoft Power Apps

7. What features make ClickUp highly visual and user-friendly?

ClickUp offers a highly visual interface with customizable options, making it user-friendly particularly for smaller businesses. It supports project management, workflow automation, and task management. Learn more about ClickUp

8. How does Pipefy help in workflow automation?

Pipefy is a workflow management platform enabling automation of processes and effective task tracking, reducing manual data entry. Explore Pipefy

9. What makes Zapier ideal for connecting apps and automating workflows?

Zapier is an automation tool that connects various apps without the need for coding, facilitating automation of numerous tasks. Learn more about Zapier

10. Why is Camunda suitable for developers managing complex workflows?

Camunda is a Business Process Automation and Orchestration platform that is well-suited for developers automating complex workflows. It offers a free community edition, though it requires self-hosting. Discover Camunda

References

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.