9 process orchestration software solutions worth the hype (2025)

Service providers are under constant pressure to deliver faster, better, and more cost-effective results. The general response has been to invest in automation with the dream to slash manual work, increase speed, and reduce costs. But automation alone won’t generate results.

Without orchestration, automation is just a widget. For significant change to happen you need a glue to bind your processes together, or you’ll end up with multiple systems, disconnected workflows, and operational blind spots. The reality is that most businesses aren’t short on automation tools, but they lack a way to bring everything together - people, processes, and systems - into a single, cohesive operation.

The process orchestration market is tipped to snowball from $4.6 billion in 2023 to $11.2 billion by 2028. As businesses scale their operations, they need orchestration to stay in control.

[Read more: What is process orchestration?]

Choosing the right orchestration software

For service operators handling thousands of daily tasks across global teams, choosing the right orchestration software is critical.

This guide breaks down the pros and cons of the top process orchestration solutions on the market, so you can research further and decide which one fits your business best.

1. Pega

Pega’s platform is a comprehensive solution that can help untangle messy business processes and improve customer communications. Packed with automation features and easily scalable, it’s a good option for businesses looking for significant efficiency improvements.

Pros
✅ Automation capabilities that can handle complicated processes.
✅ Scales as your business grows, making it suitable for large businesses.
✅ Customer engagement tools that help elevate your service.

Cons
❌ Not the easiest solution to set up, expect implementation to take a while.
❌ The price tag is high compared to market alternatives.
❌ Users can expect a steep learning curve.

2. Appian

A low-code automation platform that supports speedy building and deployment of applications. Apian has a user-friendly interface which opens the door to automation for all levels of expertise, without the need for coding knowledge.

Pros
✅Simple to use low-code tools that are accessible to non-technical users.
✅Fast deployment means you can start automating without a lengthy setup.
✅Integrates well with existing systems.

Cons
❌ Not the most flexible option, with limited customization options.
❌ On the pricey side for smaller businesses.
❌ Performance can lag when handling very large data sets.

3. Enate

Enate was the first vendor to bring process orchestration to market, providing an early roadmap for how to combine humans, systems and digital workers for service excellence. Enate’s platform offers strong visibility, flexibility and control, allowing businesses to easily manage extensive operations and workflows on a single, user-friendly system.

Best for Mid-sized service providers that need to manage large volumes of work across human and digital teams.

Pros
✅ Fast to implement compared to heavyweight process orchestration tools.
✅ User friendly. Anyone in the business can use Enate - not just tech geeks.
✅ Designed for global variation, whether you’re running services in Brazil or Berlin.
✅ Flexible and works alongside existing automation and AI investments.
✅ Provides a single source of truth for operations.

Cons
❌ Not a full RPA or AI provider, best used alongside automation tools.
❌ Not suitable for large enterprises.

4. Service Now (SNOW)

This cloud-based platform is designed for IT service management and business automation. It’s a popular choice for companies in need of extensive customisation and automation, especially in IT-centric environments.

Pros
✅ Strong IT service management capabilities that can deal with complicated IT workflows.
✅ Substantial automation features deliver a big efficiency boost.
✅ Highly customizable, tailored workflows to fit your unique needs.

Cons
❌ Set-up can be tricky and long with complex configuration.
❌ High costs rule it out for low-budget businesses.
❌ Requires a lengthy training process for new users.

5. Salesforce

Primarily known as a CRM platform, Salesforce also comes with process automation tools to help businesses improve workflow management. Plus, it integrates with many other systems, making it a good choice for companies needing an uninterrupted connection between systems.

Pros
✅ Industry-leading CRM with built-in automation capabilities.
✅ Extensive integration options allow it to connect with many other systems.
✅ Offers plenty of resources and support for their user community.

Cons
❌ Customisation may prove to be a headache and can take time.
❌ Cost can be prohibitively high for small to mid-sized businesses.
❌ Some users find the interface to be difficult to use.

6. Nintex

A process management and automation platform that aims to make workflows more efficient without the need for coding knowledge. Its user-friendly design and flexible integration options make it an accessible option for improving efficiency with minimal obstacles.

Pros
✅ Simple-to-use design tools, build workflows without coding.
✅ Works well with existing systems due to extensive integration options.
✅ Flexible deployment options can be used on-premises or in the cloud.

Cons
❌ A lack of advanced analytics features compared to competitors.
❌ Large workflows can cause a performance slowdown.
❌ Pricing scales on usage, so the cost can add up.

7. Jira

Developed by Atlassian, Jira is a tried and trusted tool for project management and issue tracking. However, it also includes workflow automation to help speed up work. Jira is particularly popular with software development teams, as it integrates well with development tools.

Pros
✅ Great for agile teams, improving workflow management for sprints and projects.
✅ Flexible customisation, create workflows that fit your needs.
✅ Integrates seamlessly with development tools.

Cons
❌ Not designed for full-scale process orchestration.
❌ Customisation can get complicated and take some time to perfect.
❌ The user interface can be overwhelming and present a steep learning curve.

8. Zendesk

Primarily a customer service platform, Zendesk is built to make support teams more efficient. Its workflow automation and ticketing features help manage large volumes of interactions across multiple channels, making it popular for companies focused on providing a top-tier customer experience.

Pros
✅ An easy-to-use and intuitive interface that requires minimal training.
✅ Excellent ticketing and automation features for customer support.
✅ Ample reporting and analytics tools to monitor performance.

Cons
❌ Not ideal for full process orchestration demands.
❌ Customisation options are restrictive compared to other providers.
❌ Advanced features come with a heavier price tag.

9. Freshdesk

Freshdesk is a customer support platform with built-in automation features. It's both user and budget-friendly, making it a good choice for companies looking to improve customer service and efficiency without too much complexity.

Pros
✅ Easy navigation for users of all skill levels.
✅ Affordable pricing for businesses of all sizes.
✅ High-level ticketing and automation tools to get customer service running smoothly.

Cons
❌ Not built for comprehensive business process orchestration.
❌ Integration options are more limited than other solutions.
❌ A high volume of tickets may result in a dip in platform performance.

BOAT: A new Gartner category

The enthusiasm for automation is understandable, given how effective it can be at improving organisational efficiency. However, with workflows often spanning multiple systems and involving numerous teams, trying to automate without the ability to co-ordinate all the moving parts will result in a disjointed operation. Sure, isolated repetitive tasks may be completed faster, but when there’s no central orchestration to support uninterrupted data flow and clear visibility, you’re still left with errors and bottlenecks, essentially counteracting the efficiency gains you were hoping to achieve in the first place.

As a result, companies like Kyndryl Holdings, an IT service management company, have implemented AI-enabled workflow orchestration services to gain greater efficiency.  It’s clear that this is the way the wind is blowing for digital transformation efforts and that’s why Business Orchestration Automation Technology (BOAT) is now the ideal solution. BOAT coordinates end-to-end workflows, centralising automation, processes, and workers in one place. Rather than automating in individual areas, BOAT looks to orchestrate entire business operations from start to finish.

Enate is currently working with Gartner to define the Business Orchestration Automation Technology (BOAT) category, helping to pioneer the future of enterprise-wide orchestration. With BOAT set to become an industry standard, businesses need to start thinking process orchestration first, automation second.

Orchestration and AI: A logical pairing

There is a common theme of expectation vs. reality when it comes to automation and AI. Many businesses are eagerly looking to automate but then realise there’s a knowledge gap in how to make it all work effectively.

Orchestration lays the foundations for automation to come in and excel. Take the healthcare industry, for example, where orchestration is on the rise to co-ordinate connected devices with a focus on patient-centric care. Automating specific tasks, such as patient appointment scheduling, might produce some efficiency gains, but to truly provide a better experience, automated actions need to be coordinated across booking systems, medical records, clinical workflows, and human decision-making.

Orchestration provides visibility, consistency, and real-time insights into your operations. The reality is you can’t effectively automate without orchestration. Automation may fuel efficiency, but it’s orchestration that keeps the system running.