Microsoft Power Automate vs Apple Shortcuts

Microsoft Power Automate9.0Visit Apple Shortcuts8.3Visit

Higher score Microsoft Power Automate #3 in Task Automation Software 9.0/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Power Automate

vs

Apple Shortcuts #7 in Task Automation Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Try Apple Shortcuts

• Microsoft Power Automate fits best

  Microsoft-centric cloud and desktop automation

• Apple Shortcuts fits best

  Free automation across Apple devices

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Side by side

Feature	Microsoft Power Automate 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Apple Shortcuts 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.3
Ranking	#3 in Task Automation Software	#7 in Task Automation Software
Best for	Microsoft-centric cloud and desktop automation	Free automation across Apple devices
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$15/user/mo	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows	iOS, macOS
Support	Community, Docs	Docs
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Microsoft Power Automate 0/4 · Apple Shortcuts 3/4
Scheduled runs	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
App triggers	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Browser automation	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Desktop recorder	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Desktop support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Monthly run limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Workflow step limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Connects Microsoft 365, Teams, Excel, SharePoint, and OneDrive Combines cloud flows with attended and unattended desktop automation Adds approvals, process mining, AI assistance, and governance controls	Free access to custom automations and hundreds of built-in actions Event triggers include time, location, and app opening Supports Siri, widgets, web APIs, JavaScript, and Apple Watch launch points
Cons	Paid entry starts at $15 per user per month with annual billing Unattended automation requires bot-based Process or Hosted Process plans Desktop automation is focused on Windows applications	Coverage is limited to iOS and macOS Features vary by device and operating system Workflows depend on available app and service actions
Our verdict	Microsoft Power Automate is a low-code platform for automating cloud workflows, Windows desktop tasks, approvals, and broader business processes. It is aimed at organizations working across Microsoft 365, cloud services, on-premises… Read the review →	Apple Shortcuts is a free task-automation app for people using iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac. It combines actions from multiple apps into custom, multi-step shortcuts that can run manually, through Siri, from the Home Screen, from a… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Microsoft Power Automate — where it wins

  • Connects Microsoft 365, Teams, Excel, SharePoint, and OneDrive
  • Combines cloud flows with attended and unattended desktop automation
  • Adds approvals, process mining, AI assistance, and governance controls

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid entry starts at $15 per user per month with annual billing
  • Unattended automation requires bot-based Process or Hosted Process plans
  • Desktop automation is focused on Windows applications

• Apple Shortcuts — where it wins

  • Free access to custom automations and hundreds of built-in actions
  • Event triggers include time, location, and app opening
  • Supports Siri, widgets, web APIs, JavaScript, and Apple Watch launch points

  Where it doesn't

  • Coverage is limited to iOS and macOS
  • Features vary by device and operating system
  • Workflows depend on available app and service actions

• Microsoft Power Automate9.0/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A broad automation suite for Microsoft environments, with paid plans starting at $15 per user monthly.

  Visit Power AutomateFull verdict →
• Apple Shortcuts8.3/10 · Free plan

  A free way to build multi-step automations across Apple devices.

  Try Apple ShortcutsFull verdict →