5 Best Business Process Management (BPM) Tools for 2024
Every company that wants to be profitable must streamline operations, enhance efficiency and productivity, and drive sustainable growth. A business process management tool can help, but only 48 percent of organizations use it. According to Forrester Research, BPM projects deliver 30-50 percent productivity gains for processes.
The best BPM tools transform operations by helping enterprises optimize, automate, and orchestrate business processes across departments and functions. Tasks such as documenting processes, onboarding new employees, and getting approvals are automated. These everyday tasks can significantly consume employees’ time and energy if done manually.
A BPM approach to process improvement aligns processes with business goals, leading to streamlined workflows, greater agility, lower costs, reduced risks, and tighter process controls.
Let’s compare the top business process management tools in 2024 to help you pick the best for your business.
1. Kissflow
Kissflow automates repetitive processes so they can run on autopilot. Growing companies can use the platform to build scalable solutions to complete tasks with minimal human input. It is a great tool for enterprises pursuing collaborative development because it aligns business with IT.
Non-developers can use its intuitive and graphical interface to build applications and automate business processes without coding quickly—as IT oversees the entire development process.
Kissflow automates repetitive processes so they can run on autopilot. Growing companies can use the platform to build scalable solutions to complete tasks with minimal human input. It is a great tool for enterprises pursuing collaborative development because it aligns business with IT. Non-developers can use its intuitive and graphical interface to build applications and automate business processes without coding quickly—as IT oversees the entire development process.
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Both low-code and no-code
Kissflow makes it easy to create apps that drive important business functions.
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Customizable user interface
You can style and add functionality to pages based on your needs. Customize menus, widgets, user navigation, permissions, and more.
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User-friendly form builder
Choose from over twenty-five field types to build powerful forms with features like remote lookup and geolocation.
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Powerful analytics
Use the BPM software’s reporting engine to draw insights from your data and create reports.
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Powerful integrations
Automate your critical business processes by connecting your favorite applications and third-party services.
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Governance framework
A centralized governance dashboard with detailed reports gives admins insights into all processes, helping them easily manage users and applications.
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Process modeling with no-code
Kissflow’s intuitive drag-and-drop builder and visual interface enable business users to quickly create apps without relying on IT.
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Custom components
These allow users to customize specific app features and even embed external applications to pages.
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Reporting engine
The business process management software has detailed reporting and analytics features that offer deep insights into project performance and team productivity.
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Custom scripting
Developers can use JavaScript to develop and deliver complex applications at scale. Custom code extends the capabilities of applications.
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Custom role-based access
Assign specific roles and permissions to users based on their roles and access needs.
"I like that the Kissflow platform is completely versatile, since its functionality can be customized and adapted to the requirements of each of our departments separately. It is accompanied by an intuitive interface with a relatively short learning curve, which provides the opportunity to not have extensive prior preparation to be able to implement its tools. Among the many functions it offers, one of the ones we use and take into account are the data and process analysis that end up providing us with daily reports based on all the information that is being handled at the moment, in this way we can identify in advance any probable inconvenience, which leads us to act in time and have the best possible solutions to have all the important information at hand."
Nikki H.
Account Supervisor
2. ProcessMaker
The BPM software lets users design workflows with its drag-and-drop builder. They can manage and monitor processes and users on the customizable dashboard. The low-code automation platform empowers organizations to design business processes in seconds. AI process generation improves workflows by quickly converting written instructions into actionable tasks. The BPM's integrates with multiple third-party applications like Slack, Twitter, and Gmail.
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Robust integrations
Manage your favorite tools on one centralized platform by integrating vital business systems and apps.
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Compliance management
The BPM software makes it easy for organizations to turn their compliance needs into automated workflows.
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Data reporting and analysis
Users can build custom reports based on the data captured in their processes. They can add charts and tables with filters and calculations.
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Permission controls
System administrators can grant access to the right people and limit the processes and actions that users can access.
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Business process automation
ProcessMaker lets users automate manual, repetitive tasks and focus on high-value tasks directly affecting their company’s bottom line.
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Data transparency
Because all the data is on one platform, it is easily accessible, easy to extract, and easy to analyze.
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Mobile access
The ProcessMaker mobile app lets users access the platform anytime, anywhere. It has features like QR scanners or geo-localization.
“ProcessMaker is a good product as it boosts productivity. The support staff are also highly trained.”
Muhammad Adil M
Technical analyst at Information Technology and Services Company
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Outdated documentation
Documentation web pages don’t always get updated with the latest releases of ProcessMaker.
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Complex user interface
Non-technical users may have difficulty navigating the UI; some learning is required.
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Customizations are time-consuming
Configuration and testing are needed to ensure processes and exceptions work as desired. Testing may take longer than expected.
“It mostly works with the basics. If you have a big company and your processes depend on many variables, developing a process becomes complicated.”
Celeste M
3. Zoho Creator
The comprehensive business process management software helps organizations digitize their operations without traditional development. Small and large businesses can manage their data and workflows, gain crucial insights from their databases, and integrate their existing software seamlessly.
The rich suite of features—integrations, guided scripting, access controls, and multi-platform support—makes designing and automating processes easy. Users can get their apps running in minutes.
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Extensive third-party integrations
Prebuilt integrations and REST APIs help users integrate their existing systems and applications to streamline digital transformation.
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Powerful data security
Audit logs, user-access controls, automated threat assessment, and other security features ensure users comply with global standards and industry regulations.
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Pre-built application templates
Users can create solutions from scratch or use pre-built templates. The templates are customizable and can be modified as per business requirements.
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Low-code development
Use low-code technology to build custom business applications and make well-informed decisions with intuitive data visualizations.
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Simplified application development
Zoho Creator makes app development effortless by combining an intuitive UI with guided scripting.
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Role-based permissions
System admins or application owners can assign roles and set permissions, choosing who can see what in applications.
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Powerful sandbox
The sandbox environment lets users securely test changes without affecting the actual processes. They only deploy the updates that are good to go live.
“Zoho Creator's no-code tool allows us to create business applications without coding based on our needs. It’s also easy to get data from forms and make graphs from them.”
Sophia N
Enterprise Customer
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Not all Zoho One apps connect
Some of the applications under Zoho One don’t connect.
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Better training is needed for non-developers
Zoho Creator needs better training tools for non-developers. An intuitive interface could also improve the user experience.
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Can’t build on-premise applications
Enterprises that want to build on-premise applications can’t do so; only the cloud option is available.
“It is easy to use but it has limitations in terms of customizations. Also, creating a simple application is easy but you cannot rely on Zoho Creator to create a high level application. While Zoho Creator integrates well with other Zoho applications, its integration options with third-party services may be more limited compared to some other platforms.”
Nikita B
Global Network Engagement & Training Coordinator
4. Nintex
Organizations use Nintex to discover, automate, and improve their core business processes. The platform is built on the Microsoft ecosystem, so users familiar with Microsoft’s Office Suite of tools, such as Visio and Sharepoint, will find it easy to use.
Nintex adds a BPM layer, helping organizations optimize business processes to drive growth and connect business applications. Citizen developers and IT professionals can collaborate on all phases of process design, simulation, and application generation.
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Risk and compliance management
Risk management and compliance are integrated into users' processes. Platform indicators make users aware of risk and compliance regulations.
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Lean tags
These are added to processes and stages within processes to highlight non-value activities that make good candidates for improvement.
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Analytics dashboard
Provides an overview of all workflow analytics to help users make informed decisions for their companies.
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AI-powered process automation
Quickly build forms and workflows by leveraging AI-enhanced capabilities like the Nintex PDF Converter and Workflow Generator.
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Create dynamic online forms
Nintex forms let users capture and submit accurate data from wherever they are. Drag-and-drop controls make it easy to customize forms.
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Simplified organizational processes
Nintex creates a centralized process map that everyone in the organization can see. Users can create and update business processes in real-time.
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Great collaboration tools
These help enterprises create functional process plans that align with their current practices and desired results.
"Nintex provides awesome features in all its products like Nintex Forms, Nintex Workflows, NWC and also Nintex App Studio.Best things we like -
1. Code Less - Drag and drop actions and controls to achieve desired effect. preview the changes immediately.
2. Ease of use - Terms and jargons are pretty easy to understand. Even elderly business clients can create and manage their forms and workflows with minimal support."
Chandan D.
Solutions Architect
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Relies on the Microsoft ecosystem
Since the platform is built on the Microsoft ecosystem, some sections may become unusable whenever Microsoft significantly changes its platform.
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Steep learning curve
The learning curve is steep for non-technical users, so process mapping and deployment may take time.
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Document management is difficult
You can’t modify forms or approve tasks with a single click. Also, approvers must be logged in to review email form attachments from mobile devices.
"1. Any action that utilises a pause/wait (Pause until, pause, wait for check in etc) get stuck randomly. The work around provided by nintex does not help if expected to be executed very often.
2. The nintex support team do not do a due diligence of a raised ticket and provide random responses which are of no help whatsoever."
Pallavi D
Associate Manager
5. Bizagi
The low-code business process management tool connects people, data, and systems. It enables true collaboration between business and IT, ensuring solutions are built quickly and cost-effectively.
The cloud-native platform offers simulation and process mining to help users optimize solutions. Generative AI provides conversational analytics, letting users ask questions about their data for advanced analytics and improved decision-making.
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Security controls
Bizagi implements security controls and measures aligned with information security frameworks such as NIST, ISO 27001, and FedRAMP.
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Automated compliance
Enterprises can easily overcome their increasing regulatory burden by digitizing processes to boost transparency and create an audit trail.
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No-code app development
Users build applications with reusable components that provide operational standardization to shorten the development cycle and deliver solutions quickly.
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Access controls
Bizagi offers multiple configuration possibilities regarding user access to information, and admins can configure permissions on many levels.
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Event logs let users monitor projects
Event logs generate errors or warnings that can be accessed on the platform. Users can consult event files generated during a project's execution.
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Easy document generation
Bizagi allows users to generate documents in plain text, Word, Excel, or PDF format. They can use templates to define and generate documents easily.
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Powerful reporting and analytics
Comprehensive reporting complemented by real-time analytics lets users monitor and continuously improve their business processes.
“We’ve seen a great response from business users using the tool. Bizagi has helped us to manage product and merchandising better.”
Jonathan J.
Manager, Fragrance and Beauty Tech Company
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Technical skills required for highly customized workflows
Only technical users can build highly customized workflows with advanced use cases.
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No offline access
Bizagi doesn’t offer offline functionalities, so users can’t work on solutions offline and upload them once they are done.
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Limited form customization options
While Bizagi provides an easy and flexible wizard to create forms, customization is limited, so you can’t implement a more cutting-edge look and feel.
"It is not really convinient as other BPM platforms, but quite good as a free one"
Vilius A.
Business Analyst
