Microsoft PowerApps is a low-code platform for building business applications, especially for teams using Microsoft 365. It integrates with tools like SharePoint, Teams, and Dataverse, and supports a wide range of data sources.
However, its licensing complexity, reliance on Microsoft infrastructure, and learning curve can be challenges—especially for teams aiming to automate workflows independently.
This article breaks down PowerApps pricing, licensing options, and costs, and compares it with leading alternatives in 2025 to help identify the most suitable solution for your business needs.
Key Features and Use Cases of PowerApps in 2025
PowerApps homepage
Before we delve into pricing, let us take a quick look at the core features of Microsoft PowerApps:
- App designer: Build responsive web and mobile apps with a visual interface.
- Microsoft ecosystem integration: Connects with Dataverse, SharePoint, and Dynamics 365.
- PowerFx language: Low-code logic and expression language tailored for customization.
- Prebuilt data connectors: Access to hundreds of external and internal data sources.
- Embedding capabilities: Apps can be embedded directly within Teams and SharePoint.
- AI builder: Limited AI capabilities for automating form processing, predictions, and more.
While it offers flexibility, PowerApps often requires Power Automate for workflow logic, PowerBI for reporting, and sometimes Azure services for backend support. This means more complexity and patchwork solutions, especially for legacy systems and older organizations with more data discrepancies.
Some of its most common use cases include:
- Field data collection apps
- Expense approvals and leave requests
- Help desk ticketing systems
- Inspection, compliance, and audit checklists
These scenarios typically rely on combining PowerApps with other Microsoft tools. This significantly increases both the complexity and the cost of deployment for any solution.
PowerApps Pricing
PowerApps is included with Microsoft 365 enterprise plans (E1, E3, E5), but only in a limited capacity, primarily for building basic canvas apps with standard connectors. Full functionality, including Dataverse, premium connectors, and model-driven apps, requires separate licensing.
Microsoft’s Enterprise Packages
While PowerApps is most effective within the Microsoft ecosystem, it often relies on complementary tools like Power Automate, Power BI, and Azure, which add to the complexity and cost of deployment.
As a standalone solution, PowerApps offers a free learning plan and 2 paid plans with production use enabled.
PowerApps pricing
Available PowerApps plans
- Developer plan – Free: Designed for individual use in non-production environments. Includes basic functionality for app development and testing.
- Premium plan – $20/user/month: Allows unlimited app creation and use per user. Includes Dataverse, premium connectors, and 500 AI Builder credits.
- Enterprise pricing (2,000+ users) – $12/user/month: Discounted premium access for large organizations.
However, these are not the only costs you’ll need to pay. Some of the most common costs incurred by PowerApps users are:
- Power Automate flows for logic: priced separately
- Premium connectors (e.g., Salesforce, Oracle): add-on costs
- AI Builder credits: Only 500 credits are included in both plans
- Custom APIs and Azure services: billed separately
This layered approach to pricing makes the total cost of ownership difficult to predict. Furthermore, PowerApps users, in most cases, might need consistent IT support, which defeats the purpose of a no-code tool.
Overwhelmed by the complications of PowerApps?
Try a simpler solution with FlowForma. The tool offers a simpler alternative with transparent, tier-based pricing designed for Microsoft SharePoint users.
Instead of user-based fees or charges for workflow executions, FlowForma's plans are based on the number of processes and features you need—making it easier to scale without unexpected costs.
Check FlowForma’s pricing now.
PowerApps in the Market: What Users Say About the Tool
PowerApps enjoys popularity in the market with good reviews on platforms like G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius. The platform is often praised for its integration capabilities and flexibility.
This G2 review perfectly summarizes all the capabilities that make PowerApps a powerful choice for any business:
“I love how Microsoft Power Apps simplifies app development with its intuitive, drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible to both technical and non-technical users. Its seamless integration with the Microsoft ecosystem (including SharePoint, Microsoft 365, and Dynamics 365) allows for effortless data connectivity, while the flexibility to customize apps with Excel-like formulas enables the creation of powerful, dynamic applications. For me, it has been a game changer for automating workflows and building tailored solutions quickly.” |
There are also reviews that cite the tool’s limitations related to datasets and the learning curve involved. For example, a reviewer states that your experience with other tools on the Power Platform (Power BI, Power Query) won’t help you, as PowerApps relies on different formulas.
A G2 review focusing on the negatives of PowerApps
Similarly, a lot of users express concerns related to the slow structure and the overall licensing model Microsoft offers.
A comprehensive review of the tool on G2
Top PowerApps Alternatives for 2025
If you’re looking for PowerApps competitors that offer simpler pricing, faster setup, or better support for compliance-heavy workflows, here are five platforms worth evaluating.
Platform |
No-Code Support |
Pricing Model |
Best For |
FlowForma |
Full no-code builder for forms & workflows |
Transparent process-based pricing |
Regulated industries, mid and large-sized businesses with existing SharePoint infrastructure |
Nintex |
Low-code (requires technical input) |
Usage-based (workflow & DocGen charges) |
Enterprise automation with IT support |
Kissflow |
No-code (basic use cases) |
Per-user pricing |
Small teams with lightweight workflows |
Creatio |
Low-code (CRM-focused) |
Modular; can get costly |
CRM + customer process automation |
Appian |
Low-code (developer-focused) |
Custom-quoted (enterprise-level) |
Large-scale custom app development |
PowerApps |
Low-code (requires Power Automate for workflows) |
Tiered + execution-based pricing |
Developer-led internal app building |
1. FlowForma
FlowForma is an AI-powered, no-code process automation platform designed for non-technical teams. Unlike PowerApps, FlowForma doesn't require Power Automate, Power BI, or developer support to build and manage end-to-end workflows.
FlowForma’s Homepage
FlowForma’s key strengths
1. Drag-and-drop workflow builderFlowForma offers a true no-code builder where users can create forms, define multi-step workflows, and configure logic without writing a single line of code. Business users can independently digitize processes, whether it's onboarding, claims handling, or internal audits, without relying on developers.
2. Seamless Microsoft 365 integration
Built to operate within the Microsoft ecosystem, FlowForma integrates natively with SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and Power BI. This allows teams to build workflows, manage documents, and surface real-time insights. All without leaving the tools they already use every day.
3. Built-in document generation and real-time reporting
FlowForma includes automated document generation as part of the workflow engine with no third-party tools required. It also supports custom dashboards and exports, so teams can monitor bottlenecks, track task completions, and generate compliance-ready reports with minimal effort.
Secure documents with FlowForma’s automated document generation
4. AI Copilot for lightning-fast results
FlowForma’s AI Copilot empowers business users to configure workflows using natural language prompts. Whether you're setting up conditional field visibility, defining multi-step approval paths, or assigning process steps based on dynamic rules, the Copilot interprets plain-language instructions and instantly translates them into workflow logic.
5. Agentic AI
FlowForma also offers agentic AI capabilities, allowing users to embed a one-step AI agent anywhere within a workflow. This agent doesn’t just respond—it acts. Whether you're enabling context-aware decisions, automating logic creation, or customizing processes on the fly, it delivers prompt-driven intelligence throughout your workflow.
FlowForma AI Copilot in Action
6. Audit trails and role-based access for compliance
FlowForma’s compliance module includes audit-ready capabilities as a standard part of every process. All user actions are automatically logged, documents are version-controlled, and access can be restricted down to the field level. This ensures that organizations meet strict regulatory requirements like DORA or GDPR without needing to purchase additional governance modules.
7. Real-time visibility
Without clear workflow insights, it’s difficult to pinpoint delays or inefficiencies. FlowForma includes built-in analytics and reporting, enabling managers to track process performance, monitor completion rates, and identify areas for improvement.
A look at the unique benefits of FlowForma’s built-in analytics and reporting
Case study in focus: How FlowForma replaced Power Apps for Bouygues Energies & Services and Automated 4x Faster
Bouygues Energies & Services, a global leader in digital and industrial transformation, initially utilized Microsoft Power Apps and Power Automate for process automation.
However, they encountered challenges scaling their processes efficiently. After transitioning to FlowForma Process Automation, they streamlined workflows, improved efficiency, and empowered business users to manage changes without constant IT involvement.
Watch the full case study video here.
Case study illustrating the benefits of choosing FlowForma over Power Apps
FlowForma Pricing vs Power Apps Pricing
FlowForma’s pricing is structured into three main plans:
- Essential: Starts from €2,067/month for three processes and includes core automation features for small teams or single departments.
- Professional: From €2,900/month for automating up to 30 processes; ideal for organizations scaling automation across multiple departments.
- Enterprise: FlowForma also offers custom pricing for large enterprises based on scope and integration needs.
Unlike Power Apps, which requires additional licenses for Power Automate, Dataverse, or premium connectors, FlowForma offers a flat, process-based pricing model with no execution limits or hidden charges.
This means businesses can forecast automation costs with confidence, without worrying about flow run caps or usage-based billing.
2. Nintex
Nintex is a workflow and document automation platform used by enterprises to manage high-volume, rule-based processes. It supports use cases such as policy approvals, audit preparation, and multi-level document routing.
Nintex homepage
While the platform offers integration with Microsoft services and legacy systems, its implementation and maintenance typically require IT or consultant support. Businesses using Nintex deploy it as part of broader enterprise automation strategies.
Nintex Pricing Compared to PowerApps Pricing
Nintex uses a consumption-based pricing model, where customers are charged based on workflow executions, document generation events, and add-on features like robotic process automation (RPA) or analytics.
This pricing approach can create unpredictability for growing teams. Organizations with fluctuating usage patterns often face overage fees or need to upgrade plans unexpectedly. Compared to PowerApps, which also splits automation across products, Nintex may be more costly at scale due to workflow metering and layered pricing.
Read our in-depth guide on Nintex pricing for more information.
3. Kissflow
Kissflow is a no-code workflow builder that focuses on the quick deployment of lightweight automation across internal business functions. It’s most commonly used for HR requests, expense approvals, and general operations workflows.
Kissflow’s homepage
The platform’s simplicity makes it approachable for non-technical teams, but it lacks deeper governance tools or support for highly regulated processes. It also does not natively integrate with Microsoft 365 tools like Power BI or SharePoint.
Kissflow Pricing Compared to PowerApps Pricing
Kissflow follows a per-user pricing model, with plans starting from $15 per user/month (as of the latest public listing). Pricing tiers increase based on access to advanced workflow logic, reporting, and integrations.
Kissflow’s pricing structure
While Kissflow is simpler and more affordable than PowerApps, it may fall short for companies that need advanced logic, Microsoft ecosystem compatibility, or audit-ready documentation. For growing businesses with cross-department automation needs, the platform may require add-ons or third-party tools to scale effectively.
4. Creatio
Creatio is a low-code platform that merges CRM functionality with business process automation. It is designed to help organizations manage customer-facing workflows such as sales, service, and marketing journeys.
Creatio’s homepage
The platform comes with a visual editor for process modeling and a wide range of CRM features out of the box. However, for use cases beyond CRM, like internal operations or compliance workflows, teams often require developer support or professional services to implement and maintain processes effectively.
Creatio Pricing Compared to PowerApps Pricing
Creatio follows a modular pricing structure, with automation plans starting at $25 per user/month. Additional modules for marketing, service, or industry-specific needs are priced separately, and advanced functionality such as analytics or AI-driven automation may push costs higher.
Creatio’s pricing
While Creatio offers transparency on licensing, its functionality is limited to CRM-led digital transformation. Compared to PowerApps or FlowForma, Creatio is less suitable for organizations focused on non-customer-facing workflows or those looking for a complete no-code environment.
5. Appian
Appian is a low-code platform that enables large enterprises to build custom business applications. It is often adopted for process-intensive industries such as finance, telecom, or healthcare, where legacy systems and complex rule sets require integration and orchestration.
Appian homepage
Appian supports AI modeling, case management, and end-to-end workflow automation, but its design and deployment typically require experienced developers or partner services.
Appian Pricing Compared to PowerApps Pricing
Appian uses custom pricing based on user volume, data processing needs, and infrastructure preferences. Organizations can choose between cloud and on-premise deployments, each of which carries different cost considerations.
Appian offers 3 packages
Unlike PowerApps, which offers publicly listed plans but often requires additional licenses for full functionality, Appian’s pricing is highly tailored. However, this flexibility comes at a higher cost and complexity, especially for businesses aiming for quicker implementation or business-user-led automation.
Why FlowForma Beats PowerApps for Fast, No-Code Business Automation.
PowerApps offers flexibility within the Microsoft ecosystem, but comes with many complexities, layered costs, and developer dependencies. Most workflows require stitching together PowerApps, Power Automate, Power BI, and external tools.
FlowForma provides a unified, no-code experience designed for teams that want to move fast without relying on IT. It’s used across healthcare, construction, and finance industries to streamline onboarding, claims, audits, and more.
Video showcasing FlowForma’s 3-in-1 process automation platform
Key advantages of FlowForma over PowerApps
Here’s a quick overview of FlowForma’s various advantages over PowerApps:
✅ No-Code by design
FlowForma empowers business users to build workflows without technical support—unlike PowerApps, which often requires developer input.
✅ All-in-one platform
No need for separate tools like Power Automate or Power BI. FlowForma combines forms, workflow, logic, and compliance features in one solution.
✅ Faster deployment
Get up and running in days with intuitive design, templates, and AI Copilot—no steep learning curve or IT delays.
✅ Transparent pricing
Tier-based pricing means no surprise fees for connectors, runs, or governance modules—unlike PowerApps pricing which is layered.
✅ Smarter automation with Agentic AI
FlowForma’s Agentic AI acts within workflows, offering intelligent, context-aware logic execution.
FlowForma customer testimonial
Looking to digitize workflows faster, at a lower cost, and without IT dependency? Book a FlowForma demo today.