Comparison of 15 Leading Business Process Management Software Products

The COVID-19 pandemic shook business processes worldwide. Even with countries presently rolling out vaccine programs, social distancing and remote work conditions are expected to continue in the coming years. This is why organizations trying to do business in this new normal are increasingly relying on powerful yet easy-to-use business process management software (BPM). Using these, you can prevent, detect, and address operational problems such as poor workflows, major process interferences, and organizational inefficiencies.

Some BPM software is focused on a niche (industry, function, user type), while others offer an enterprise suite. Then you also have BPM solutions that are a mix of both ends. After reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of the 15 leading BPM solutions in the market today, we weighed them for agility, functionality, and overall value which resulted in this guide.

Business Process Management (BPM) is the systematic and efficient implementation of the company’s workflows and processes to achieve an organizational goal. There can be many reasons why BPM software is important for companies. It can help lessen expenditures, improve a team’s workflow and productivity, and pinpoint operational deficiencies, among others. We can see all these things in action just by considering the impact COVID-19 had on business processes—from banking to manufacturing, procurement, customer service, information security, and sales and operations planning—going digital and using process automation present in BPM platforms are here to stay. 

In fact, a survey revealed that among the technological trends affecting business process management today, 71% of companies reported digital transformation to have the most impact. It is then followed by cloud computing and mobile technologies, both of which can be addressed using the many SaaS BPM solutions available today.

With SMEs and enterprises alike turning to the capabilities of BPM to run their business operations, it’s no surprise that the demand will increase in the future. Based on projections that accounted for COVID-19 disruptions, the global BPM market is projected to reach $4.7  billion by 2027.

However, BPM solutions are a dime and dozen and process automation can be applied to fields as varied as project management, time tracking, HR processes, billing and collection, inventory, and CRM. Therefore, while we recommend trying our top pick, it is still best to explore all options first. We encourage you to take a look at other apps available and to see how they stack up against each other.

1. monday.com 

A leader in collaboration and communication, monday.com majors in helping departments and teams to perform their best by streamlining contributions. It ensures that every information that stakeholder gets is in sync with one another. Also, by placing data in one, easy-to-access hub, agents can make critical decisions together.

Monday.com also organizes progress data in a logical manner and displays them to users in the most understandable ways. If offers a series of views to choose from that will allow you to see the most important data at a glance. This includes a timeline view, chart view, calendar view, and kanban view to name a few.

monday.com

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Another aspect of collaboration that monday.com covers is the integration of different tools into the platform for a smooth transition of data. It’s connected with sharing and management tools such as Zapier, Dropbox, Google Drive, MailChimp, Google Calendar, and more. Not only that but the system also comes with an open-API architecture that lets you support further integration with other external applications.

2. Wrike

Wrike is a business process management software that helps project managers handle their teams and tasks more effectively. It has tools for managing resources, setting priorities, and ensuring that goals are being met on time and with desired quality. The system also makes admin tasks a lot simpler because of its collaboration features that keep all teams in sync.

Since a single project usually involves teams from different departments, staying on top of everything and efficiently prioritizing resources and activities are really challenging. More so if you add those to the need of the teams to meet the deadline. Wrike provides the right tools to address these problems. 

Wrike

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For instance, you can use a Gantt Chart to view and manage the entire scope of the project. This allows you to optimize how you plan each step of the way. Wrike also lets you track the progress fo each project in real-time, thus allowing you to perform the necessary actions to ensure that everything is aligned with the goal.

Wrike is also equipped with an easy to use, drag-and-drop resource management tools. This makes it easier to balance the workloads of the team. You can also change the priorities of the projects whenever its deemed necessary.

3. Studio Creatio Enterprise

Studio Creatio Enterprise makes it to our list of best BPM solutions because of its robust functionalities for effectively managing business processes. The software is equipped with process modeling, execution, monitoring, and analysis features, ensuring an efficient BPM solution for your company. Studio Creatio Enterprise applies industry best practices in its system and automates internal practices like modeling process flows and document approval processes.

The software provides teams with some of the best collaboration tools that aid in complex projects as it enables the simultaneous execution of multiple processes at the same level of system performance. Also, Studio Creatio Enterprise boosts operational efficiency with tools to help you monitor process execution and analyze its outcomes. In addition, the platform’s custom dashboards allow you to visualize the process data better.

Studio Creatio Enterprise

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Furthermore, Studio Creatio Enterprise provides analytics tools, such as real-time diagrams and reports that are exceptional in tracking current KPIs and other performance metrics. The dashboards provided by the software make it quick and easy to create reports, helping you gain new analytical insights into your team’s entire performance.

In terms of security, you will not have to worry over having unsecured data because Studio Creatio Enterprise applies multilevel security from unauthorized access. It also lets you have total control of granting or denying someone access to individuals or groups of records, or you can choose specific sections to be made available to any user.

4. ActiveBatch

The workflow automation system, ActiveBatch, provides centralized control over various enterprise processes such as data analytics, IT, business process management, file storage, and more. With this product, you can integrate scripts, apps, and processes in one, easy-to-access location. Thus, departments and users that are transitions from one operation to the next won’t be dealing with fewer errors and idle time.

With ActiveBatch’s cross-platform architecture, you can manage different types of processes even if they each have multiple instances. And that’s all done under a single platform. This means that you can say goodbye to apps with company- or department-specific requirements. The system also allows you to monitor and manage your business operations across different industries and ecosystems in real-time. Another neat thing is that ActiveBatch helps reduce the overhead costs related to running tasks since it actively looks for the ideal server that can run them quickly and efficiently.

5. Zoho One

Zoho One is a comprehensive set of business apps that gives users complete admin controls for their business. It has a series of customization tools that allow you to create, extend, and integrate an app that’s perfectly suited to your current scenario. Aside from that, there are over 35 applications that are available for businesses of any scale. These integrated apps perform a wide range of functions; from managing back-end services to helping increase sales by promoting your products.

The platform also lets you extend your workplace with its native applications for iOS and Android; allowing you to do your tasks even outside the office. What’s amazing is that the mobile version of Zoho One will let you work just as if you’re using your laptop or desktop. The system’s support for SSO (Single-Sign-On) is beneficial for both admins and users as well. That’s because the admins can more easily prevent security concerns and users can more efficiently work on a cross-platform basis.

6. Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator stands out in our top BPM list for one thing: it lets you build your own app to automate or manage your business workflows. Hands down, it beats a highly customizable solution, but what of technical skill requirements? This is where Zoho Creator weaves magic — its drag-and-drop tools and visual interface allow even non-technical users to create business process solutions. However, it still requires more brainpower to use this solution than relying on an out-of-the-box BPM. If you love the challenge of building your own app to exactly match your automation process, Zoho Creator is worth the look.

You can create custom apps to manage data, streamline workflows, and even access some of the best online collaboration tools for teams. You can also add or modify the logic to your app to adjust to current or specific situations. And because it is a cloud-based platform, Zoho Creator frees you from worrying about downtime, security, backups, and upgrades.

Some of the great features of Zoho Creator include user-friendly UI dashboards; custom report templates; host of rich tools like workflow builders, tasks, reminders, and notifications.

7. Studio Creatio Free

A completely affordable product, Studio Creatio Free, is a BPM software that allows you to design and streamline business processes without spending anything. As with its enterprise software counterpart, it also provides out-of-the-box, low-code solution that you can use to build, perform, optimize, track, and document your business processes.

With its BPMN 2.0 diagram, you are able to make a clear process design that’s consistent with both IT and business’ standards. The industries’ widely-accepted visual tools will be at your disposal for such a task. This includes connecting objects, flow objects, and swimlanes. The designs can be converted into PDF format as well so you can easily share them with colleagues or store them in your local drive for easy access.

8. Orchestly

Orchestly is a workflow management software brought to you by Zoho and can be used to manage, optimize, and automate or digitize your business workflow. It comes with an iOS and Android app, allowing users to work even while on the go.

Orchestly workflow management features can help you handle the process more efficiently. From creating tasks to assigning and monitoring them, the app got the tools.

Workflow automation. Orchestly allows users to automate their business workflow resulting in guaranteed compliance, better staff accountability, and a lot more. The platform can help ensure that no work is being missed. It offers apps downloadable on your mobile phone so you can keep track of your work even when you’re on the go.

9. KiSSFLOW

Competing in our top ten BPM solutions is KiSSFLOW, a user-friendly workflow automation software designed for lightweight processes. It claims to be used by over 10,000 companies, and these are likely small to medium businesses. The software appeals to organizations that want to build their own automation apps but lack a technical team or whose owners or leaders have no programming skills.

KiSSFLOW

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KiSSFLOW walks you through an easy 5-step process to build automation: (1) decide a process, (2) build the form, (3) design the workflow, (4) set permissions, (5) then go live. With a user-friendly UI and tools, the software gives you the power to match automation with your exact process scenario. In short, people who understand the process best can build the app for themselves instead of depending on an I.T. team.

The software guides you with an app wizard. Aside from building from scratch, you can either install pre-built apps or edit them to your preferences. There are around 50 pre-built apps for HR, suppliers, finance, and billing, among others.

10. Approveit

Approveit easily found its way to our top BPM solutions. Had it not been limited to approval workflows, the software would have been a top contender. But if your BPM needs are mainly to manage approval requests, Approveit is an excellent fit.

It supports multi-step approval workflows, enabling businesses to automate approval requests based on the specific needs of your organization. The solution keeps track of any activity regarding approval requests—who initiated it and its status, whether approved or rejected. It also stores all the necessary files, documents, and approval history to ensure SOC compliance and keep your data safe from potential frauds or breaches.

Approveit is the ideal solution for handling purchase order approvals, bill approvals, release management, and access management. It also supports a wide range of integrations with third-party applications, allowing you to capture data from your existing tech stack and trigger actions based on the requirements of your approval requests.

11. TeamDesk

TeamDesk is an online database software designed to empower your business management process. It allows organizations to create their custom database without seeking help from IT professionals. You can check out the platform’s tools for free.

The platform recognizes the fact that no two businesses are the same and each one has its unique needs and requirements. Hence, the solution was made customizable. Instead of adapting business procedures to the tools, users can build online databases that fit their unique business requirements and structure.

You don’t need to have in-depth knowledge of information technology to be able to use the app. It comes with a predefined database template to help you get started in building a database that matches your business requirements.  Video tutorials are also available to help you master the effective use of the system.

12. Nintex

Nintex is an ideal BPM solution for both small business and large enterprise. But since pricing is on quote-basis, it suits large organizations better. The software focuses on work automation for more efficient team collaboration. But it also features business insights, document management, and IT service management.

Nintex gives you the value of reducing steps in your workflows, not reducing your choices. That gives you agility on how to streamline processes in different scenarios and with different aspects. You can link team members, units, and departments, so you fill in the communication gaps across the organization.

Moreover, Nintex has point-and-click features that make everyone–from the millennials to the old school–comfortable working in its environment. It is also compatible with popular and standard business apps and integrates well with social media and instant messaging apps to extend teamwork beyond organizational boundaries. If you have teams in different locations, you will find the likes of Nintex indispensable.

13. TIBCO BPM

The next popular business process management solution is TIBCO BPM. Developed by one of the established software companies in the world, TIBCO BPM has the agility to match your unique sales, marketing, and service scenarios. However, its pricing is on quote-basis, making it less scalable than our top solution, which offers more flexible price points for different business sizes.

The software is geared towards helping your processes to adapt to the digital ecosystem. In fact, if you need a solution to transition your analog processes to digital, TIBCO BPM is one of the best options. It helps to consolidate these processes with your people, scenarios, and activities to generate insights critical to your business routes. With real-time data analytics churned out by the software, you can deliver more accurate answers to suppliers and clients, make timely decisions, and perform smarter actions.

Among its best features, you can find Intelligent Work and Resource Management which allows you to see the overall progress at once and drill down to data details in areas such as key performance indicators (KPIs), campaign metrics, project milestones, and service-level agreements (SLAs). Likewise, you will find its business reporting feature adaptable to your organization’s decision-making logic; thus, it is helpful in planning your company’s best strategies or tactics.

14. ConceptDraw PRO

ConceptDraw PRO is an on-premise BPM solution that suits the needs of small businesses and enterprises. Specifically, IT service specialists and field operations managers will find it useful to design and calendar their workflows and processes. The system has a powerful drawing and diagramming platform that allows you to create volumes of graphic documents and charts to visualize processes. You can create network diagrams, for example, share them with your team or clients with regular frequency.

You can also use the app as an instructional platform for trainings and orientations on project workflows. This ensures the whole team understands the project’s dynamics from start to finish and keeps everyone on the same page.

Likewise, as an on-premise system, ConceptDraw can function online or offline. Your team remains productive even during internet connectivity loss. The software is compatible with Mac and Windows but no mobile support.

15. Mindbody

Mindbody is a practical business process management platform for professionals and small businesses. It is ranked among the top BPM solutions on our list because it has the right tools in place for the right target users. What it lacks in agility to scale, it makes up for sticking to its core value proposition: helping the small businesses in the health and wellness industry develop corporate-level strategies with marketing insights and tactics. Gyms, spas, yoga centers, hair salons–small players can now have big-player tools to gain more customers and track success milestones.

Why have we included Mindbody in our comparison of business process management software? To start, the platform features process automations, such as payments, bookings, and schedule management. It also includes payroll processing, making Mindbody, arguably, the only accounting tool a small operation needs. Small businesses will also benefit from the bpm software’s marketing tools, including custom gift cards, promotions, and loyalty programs. As for booking and rescheduling, it can be set for automatic notifications, confirmation alerts, and reminders. Another useful feature is its reporting, which lets you track trends, revenues, sales, attendance, and inventory.

Choosing the Best BPM Solution

In this article, we listed the 15 best BPM software solutions that you can choose from. All of them have the capability to improve your business operations, especially in trying to adapt to the changes brought about by COVID-19.

Through a series of tests and system scoring, our team of SaaS experts ranked the above BPM solutions according to their overall value and functionality. monday.com landed on the top rank for its inventive collaboration tools and resource management tools. Wrike and Studio Creatio Enterprise came in second and third places respectively. However, this doesn’t automatically mean that Zoho One or other solutions must not be considered. 

We ranked them in their general use but some software might be specifically tailored to cater to your needs better. For instance, if you’re company is just starting or is yet to reach a mid-sized scale, check out our list of best BPM software for small businesses instead.

By Stephanie Seymour

Stephanie Seymour is a senior business analyst and one of the crucial members of the FinancesOnline research team. She is a leading expert in the field of business intelligence and data science. She specializes in visual data discovery, cloud-based BI solutions, and big data analytics. She’s fascinated by how companies dealing with big data are increasingly embracing cloud business intelligence. In her software reviews, she always focuses on the aspects that let users share analytics and enhance findings with context.