The AI TillOur picks
Best automation tools for UK small businesses (2026)
We compared 2 automation tools using prices and plan details checked on each provider's own page on 2026-10-14. We haven't been paid for any placement; see how we make money.
Quick picks
- Best free starting point: Zapier. Zapier has a free plan: Zaps, Tables and Forms with 100 tasks a month.
- Cheapest dollar-priced paid plan: Zapier. Zapier starts at $19.99 (entry paid plan, per month).
All automation tools compared
| Tool | Cheapest paid plan | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier | $19.99 (entry paid plan, per month) | Yes | Copying enquiries, bookings or invoices between apps without retyping. |
| Make | Not published | Yes | People happy to build slightly more complex automations cheaply. |
Zapier
Connects your apps so routine tasks happen automatically, for example new enquiry to spreadsheet to email.
- Price: Free: $0 (100 tasks a month). Paid plans from $19.99 a month and $69 a month.
- Watch out for: Task limits can be reached quickly once automations are running.
- UK notes: Prices are in US dollars.
Make
Visual automation tool that connects apps so tasks run by themselves, billed in credits.
- Price: Free plan with 1,000 credits a month. Paid plans are billed by credits; see the pricing page. Start-up Plan: 50% off Business for eligible firms under 20 employees.
- Watch out for: Scenarios stop when credits run out.
- UK notes: Prices shown in US dollars.
How to choose
- Start with a free plan or trial if there is one, and test it on a real job.
- Prefer pound pricing if you want a predictable monthly cost.
- Check what counts towards limits (calls, minutes, seats, contacts or credits) before comparing headline prices.
Head-to-head comparisons
Sources
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