Next Matter is an operations automation platform designed to help teams coordinate recurring workflows. It offers workflow orchestration, task assignment, and integrations to manage day-to-day operations.
However, many growing organizations find it limited in scalability, AI functionality, depth of workflow automation, and pricing transparency.
As automation becomes central to digital transformation, businesses are exploring workflow automation tools beyond Next Matter, seeking options that combine ease of use with enterprise-grade governance, AI capabilities, and transparent pricing.
This guide,
The best Next Matter alternatives combine AI automation, smooth integrations, and audit-ready governance. FlowForma, Kissflow, and Pipefy lead the list for their balance of usability and scalability.
In contrast, others like Nintex, Workato, and Cflow offer specialized capabilities for different operations, teams, and small businesses.
|
Platform |
Best For |
AI & Workflow Automation |
Compliance & Governance |
Pricing Plans |
|
FlowForma |
Enterprise-grade AI-powered automation |
Advanced (AI Copilot, AI Agent, Summarization, Smart Assistants, and AI-Powered Vendor Risk Assessment) |
Built-in compliance and audit module |
Transparent process-based pricing |
|
Process Street |
Recurring checklist-based workflows |
Moderate |
Limited |
Tiered pricing |
|
Low-code enterprise workflows |
Moderate |
Good |
Custom quote |
|
|
Pipefy |
Operations and HR workflows |
Basic automation |
Limited |
Freemium + tiers |
|
Nintex |
Large enterprise automation |
Strong |
Strong |
Quote-based |
|
Workato |
System integration workflows |
Excellent |
Moderate |
Per-connector pricing |
|
Decisions |
Rule-driven business logic |
Strong |
Strong |
Quote-based |
|
Smartsheet |
Project workflow visibility |
Limited |
Moderate |
Tiered pricing |
|
Microsoft Power Automate |
Microsoft ecosystem users |
Strong |
Moderate |
Per-flow pricing |
|
Cflow |
SMB automation |
Moderate |
Limited |
Affordable tiered pricing |
Comparison of 2026 workflow automation platforms: key positioning, feature strengths and pricing models for alternatives to Next Matter
Now, let us look at the top Next Matter competitors in detail:
FlowForma is an AI-powered business process automation tool designed for citizen developers who want to automate complex workflows while still giving IT oversight for comprehensive governance. It combines forms, workflows, document generation, analytics, and AI into a single, integrated tool with Microsoft 365.
FlowForma is ideal for compliance-focused and heavily regulated industries, including construction, healthcare, and financial services, that need secure, fast, and transparent automation software that supports end-to-end business processes.
Let us take a detailed look at FlowForma’s key features:
FlowForma is a no-code platform with an easy-to-use interface
FlowForma enables citizen developers to create end-to-end workflows with minimal IT involvement while ensuring compliance with regulations such as HIPAA, ISO, and GDPR. IT still retains oversight for governance, but business users can take the lead in workflow automation.
FlowForma’s AI suite redefines how teams build and manage workflows:
Video showcasing the AI Playground
Watch FlowForma’s AI Masterclass to learn all about building workflows using AI agents
Caption: FlowForma’s Discovery Agent
FlowAssure is FlowForma’s newest AI-powered product, built to simplify vendor risk and compliance management. It automates vendor assessments, cybersecurity questionnaires, and reviews of Pen Tests, ISO, and SOC 2 Type II certifications—all within a secure, Microsoft 365–based environment.
Using AI agents, FlowAssure analyzes responses, flags potential compliance gaps, and helps organizations approve vendors with confidence. It’s particularly valuable for regulated sectors like healthcare, finance, and construction, where security, transparency, and auditability are non-negotiable.
Introducing FlowAssure by FlowForma
FlowForma allows teams to design dynamic digital forms that capture structured data accurately at every step. These forms automatically feed into document templates, enabling instant generation of reports, letters, contracts, or approval records.
The result is consistent, audit-ready documentation without manual effort or errors, which directly supports customer success and governance.
FlowForma connects effortlessly with Microsoft 365 (including SharePoint, Teams, and Outlook) thousands of third-party apps and systems through APIs and connectors.
Caption: FlowForma integrations
This integration ensures that process data flows smoothly between departments, creating a single source of truth without the need for complex middleware, and helping organizations avoid data breaks between apps.
All data processed through FlowForma remains securely stored within each client’s SharePoint tenancy. Every workflow automatically logs actions, timestamps, and version histories for complete auditability.
The built-in compliance module aligns with frameworks such as GDPR, ISO 27001, and HIPAA, supporting organizations in regulated industries and providing robust security and control.
FlowForma offers a process-based pricing model with unlimited workflows under one licence.
There are no hidden costs or complex pricing tiers, giving organizations full clarity and scalability as their automation needs expand. It’s also easier to see real value compared with other Next Matter competitors or “free” tools that later add surprise charges.
Companies across insurance, healthcare, education, construction, and financial sectors have adopted FlowForma to simplify complex workflows and accelerate digital transformation.
Customers consistently praise the platform for its ease of use, no-code capabilities, and complete workflow automation.
Customer testimonial for FlowForma by Aon
G2 Customer testimonial for FlowForma
G2 Customer testimonial for FlowForma
Business users highlight how easily customizable the platform is and how quickly they can roll out new processes and maintain full visibility, governance, and compliance through FlowForma’s built-in controls.
Customer testimonial for FlowForma, Morley College London
Aon, a leading global insurance organization, replaced legacy processes with automated workflows that saved significant time and money.
Before FlowForma, different business units managed information through disconnected Excel sheets and paper-based systems, methods increasingly misaligned with the company’s IT-led digital transformation strategy.
Aon aimed to build a single data repository—a centralized platform supporting automated, transparent, and auditable workflows that reinforced compliance, a critical focus for any insurer. Already using SharePoint, the company sought a more integrated solution for process automation within Microsoft 365.
After implementing FlowForma, the company achieved faster approvals, improved consistency, and stronger governance across departments—saving time, reducing manual effort, and aligning with its digital transformation strategy.
Process Street Homepage
Process Street simplifies recurring workflows such as employee and client onboarding and approvals. It’s designed for non-technical teams that need process documentation and structure without complex automation logic, and it works well for small businesses that want to track and manage tasks.
Kissflow offers a balance of low-code flexibility and enterprise-grade process management. It’s best for organizations seeking customizable workflows, analytics, and scalability in a single platform.
Pipefy homepage
Pipefy enables teams to manage processes through visual boards, making it ideal for HR, finance, and procurement workflows. Its drag-and-drop interface simplifies process setup, while templates make onboarding fast and help teams create workflows quickly.
Nintex platform
Nintex is known for automating enterprise workflows with RPA and process mapping capabilities. It’s best suited for large organizations that can invest in professional setup and integration, and that need a workflow automation tool that connects deeply with legacy systems.
Workato homepage
Workato focuses on connecting applications and automating data flows between them. It’s ideal for IT and operations teams managing multiple business systems and looking to save time on manual integrations.
Decisions homepage
Decisions specializes in automating rule-based workflows. It allows business users to build complex decision logic without coding, making it popular in finance, compliance, and insurance.
Smartsheet combines project management and automation in a spreadsheet-like interface. It’s intuitive for teams used to Excel and ideal for tracking project timelines and workflows, especially for managers who like a grid-style desk view of work.
Power Automate homepage
Power Automate offers strong automation across Microsoft apps and external connectors. It’s ideal for organizations already in the Microsoft ecosystem who want to automate repetitive tasks and approvals.
Cflow alternatives
Cflow is a lightweight workflow automation tool for small to mid-sized businesses. It’s simple, affordable, and effective for basic approvals and routine workflows, making it one of the more accessible Next Matter alternatives for small businesses.
FlowForma is a comprehensive Digital Process Automation platform that unites intelligent workflows, AI automation, and built-in compliance within a single no-code tool.
While Next Matter focuses on coordination, FlowForma delivers end-to-end workflow automation with strong governance, seamless Microsoft 365 integration, and transparent process-based pricing. It functions as a complete workflow automation solution rather than just a coordination platform.
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of FlowForma vs Next Matter:
|
Feature |
FlowForma |
Next Matter |
|
Workflow Design |
Fully no-code, natural-language builder |
Basic visual workflow setup |
|
Ease of Use |
User-friendly with a drag-and-drop interface |
Steep learning curve for complex setups |
|
AI Capabilities |
Copilot, Agentic AI, Smart Assistants, Summarization, Discovery Agent |
Limited automation intelligence |
|
Document and Form Automation |
Built-in with templates and ISO-compliant document generation |
Limited documentation capabilities |
|
Microsoft 365 Integration |
Native and seamless |
Partial |
|
Governance, Compliance & Security |
In-built compliance module and audit trails, with data stored in the client tenancy |
Basic compliance tracking |
|
Pricing Model |
Transparent, process-based with unlimited workflows |
Custom quotes |
|
Deployment Speed |
Live within weeks |
Moderate |
|
Scalability |
Enterprise-ready across departments |
Moderate |
Side-by-Side Comparison of FlowForma and Next Matter across key workflow automation features
Next Matter is a capable operations tool, but it lacks the depth needed for enterprise-grade automation and long-term customer success.
Organizations seeking scalability, AI intelligence, and data control need a platform that delivers all three seamlessly without sacrificing security or governance.
FlowForma provides this balance—offering no-code simplicity, in-built compliance, and transparent pricing within a Microsoft 365 environment, making it the ideal choice for organizations that want an end-to-end workflow automation tool.
Its latest addition, FlowAssure, further strengthens this ecosystem by automating vendor risk assessments and compliance reviews with AI-driven precision, helping teams maintain security and trust across their extended network.
For teams ready to accelerate digital transformation with secure, intelligent workflows and stronger control over their accounts, tasks, and approvals, FlowForma remains the most complete and competent alternative to Next Matter in 2026.
Book a demo to see how quickly your business can go from manual to fully automated.
Next Matter helps coordinate operational workflows, task assignments, and process visibility for business teams, particularly in back-office operations and internal service processes.
FlowForma offers deeper AI functionality, document automation, built-in compliance, and full control of data within the client’s Microsoft 365 tenancy, delivering better value and more flexibility than many other Next Matter alternatives.
All data stays within the client’s Microsoft 365 environment. Every process has audit trails, version control, and compliance support aligned with GDPR and ISO 27001, which is backed by strong security controls and governance.
Financial services, insurance, healthcare, education and energy rely on FlowForma to securely digitize processes at scale, using it as their central automation platform to manage, track, and automate key workflows across multiple countries and languages.