Top 40 Commercial Alternatives to Automation Anywhere

Introduction and Context

Automation Anywhere is one of the pioneering platforms in robotic process automation (RPA). Emerging in the early 2000s as organizations sought to automate repetitive, rule-based tasks on Windows desktops, it helped move automation beyond traditional test frameworks and into everyday business operations. The platform popularized “software robots” built with a visual designer, orchestrated centrally, and integrated into enterprise ecosystems.

Why did it become widely used? For many teams, the appeal was clear:

• A visual, low-code approach for building bots and UI flows across Windows-based applications

• Enterprise-grade orchestration, governance, and analytics via a central “Control Room”

• Expanding capabilities around intelligent document processing and automation at scale

• Overlap with test automation, enabling end-to-end UI and workflow testing

Strengths include broad desktop UI automation, rich integrations, and support for CI/CD pipelines. However, as teams modernize tech stacks and testing needs, many look for specialized or more developer-friendly solutions. Reasons range from reducing test flakiness and maintenance burden to extending coverage across web, mobile, APIs, performance, and security—areas where dedicated tools often excel. Below are 40 commercial alternatives worth evaluating, spanning RPA peers and adjacent testing categories.

Overview: The Top 40 Alternatives

Here are the top 40 commercial alternatives to Automation Anywhere:

• Applitools Eyes

• Applitools for Mobile

• BitBar

• BlazeMeter

• Blue Prism

• BrowserStack Automate

• Burp Suite (Enterprise)

• Checkly

• Cypress Cloud

• Datadog Synthetic Tests

• Eggplant Test

• Functionize

• Happo

• IBM Rational Functional Tester

• Kobiton

• LambdaTest

• LoadRunner

• Mabl

• Micro Focus Silk Test

• Microsoft Playwright Testing

• NeoLoad

• New Relic Synthetics

• Percy

• Perfecto

• Pingdom

• RPA Tools (UiPath)

• Ranorex

• ReadyAPI

• Repeato

• Sahi Pro

• Sauce Labs

• Squish

• TestCafe Studio

• TestComplete

• Testim

• Tricentis Tosca

• UFT One (formerly QTP)

• Virtuoso

• Waldo

• testRigor

Why Look for Automation Anywhere Alternatives?

• Desktop-first focus: Heavy emphasis on Windows UI can be limiting for teams whose workloads span web, mobile, APIs, or cross-platform.

• Flaky UI automation: Poorly structured bots or fragile selectors can lead to test flakiness and higher maintenance.

• Setup and maintenance overhead: Orchestrating environments, credentials, and bot lifecycles can be complex as projects scale.

• Cost and licensing: Enterprise licensing may be higher than targeted tools for web, mobile, or APIs.

• Developer workflow alignment: Some teams prefer code-first tools, richer debugging, and tight integration with modern CI/CD.

Detailed Breakdown of Alternatives

Applitools Eyes

What it is: An AI-powered visual testing platform for web, mobile, and desktop with the Ultrafast Grid. Core strengths:

• Visual diffs detect UI regressions

• Cross-browser rendering at scale

• SDKs for popular languages and frameworks

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Eyes focuses on visual correctness rather than workflow RPA; it complements or replaces brittle UI assertions. Best for: Front-end and QA teams validating look-and-feel across versions.

Applitools for Mobile

What it is: Mobile-focused visual AI testing, part of the Applitools ecosystem, for iOS and Android. Core strengths:

• Mobile snapshot comparisons

• Baseline management for app versions

• Works with native and hybrid apps

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Prioritizes mobile visual quality, not desktop UI automation or RPA. Best for: Teams enforcing consistent mobile UI across devices.

BitBar

What it is: A real-device and browser cloud by SmartBear for web and mobile test automation. Core strengths:

• Access to real devices and browsers

• Supports Selenium, Appium, Playwright

• Scalable parallel execution

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Focuses on execution infrastructure for automated tests rather than building RPA workflows. Best for: Teams needing reliable device/browser coverage in CI.

BlazeMeter

What it is: A SaaS platform for load, performance, and API testing compatible with JMeter, Gatling, and k6. Core strengths:

• Large-scale performance runs

• Unified analytics and reporting

• CI/CD and monitoring integrations

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Addresses performance engineering, not desktop RPA; complements end-to-end testing strategies. Best for: Performance engineers and DevOps running stress/load tests.

Blue Prism

What it is: An enterprise RPA platform for Windows-based workflows with robust governance. Core strengths:

• Visual process modeling at scale

• Strong security and audit features

• Enterprise orchestration and bots

Compared to Automation Anywhere: A direct RPA peer with similar enterprise capabilities; choice often hinges on governance models and ecosystem fit. Best for: Organizations standardizing on RPA for repeatable UI workflows.

BrowserStack Automate

What it is: A large cloud of real devices and browsers for web and mobile automation. Core strengths:

• Extensive device and browser coverage

• Integrations with Selenium, Appium, Playwright, Cypress

• Parallelization and CI support

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Provides execution infrastructure rather than bot authoring or RPA orchestration. Best for: Cross-browser and cross-device test execution at scale.

Burp Suite (Enterprise)

What it is: Enterprise-grade DAST automation for web and API security scanning. Core strengths:

• Automated vulnerability scanning

• Scheduling and reporting at scale

• API and CI/CD integrations

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Security-focused automation rather than UI/RPA; complements functional test pipelines. Best for: Security and DevSecOps teams automating DAST.

Checkly

What it is: A “checks as code” platform for browser and API synthetic monitoring built on Playwright. Core strengths:

• Code-first browser checks

• API monitoring with assertions

• CI/CD and infrastructure-as-code workflow

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Optimized for web synthetics and reliability, not desktop UI bots. Best for: Engineering teams unifying monitoring and e2e checks.

Cypress Cloud

What it is: A SaaS runner and insights layer for Cypress web tests. Core strengths:

• Parallelization and flake detection

• Rich dashboards and artifacts

• CI-friendly test orchestration

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Strengthens web test pipelines; not designed for RPA or desktop automation. Best for: Teams standardizing on Cypress for web e2e.

Datadog Synthetic Tests

What it is: Browser and API synthetic monitoring within the Datadog observability platform. Core strengths:

• Unified APM + synthetics view

• Recorders and code options

• Global locations and CI integrations

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Monitoring and reliability focus; not intended for desktop RPA. Best for: Ops and SRE teams aligning tests with observability.

Eggplant Test

What it is: A model-based testing platform with image recognition for desktop, web, and mobile. Core strengths:

• Model-based approach reduces brittleness

• Computer-vision interactions

• Cross-platform coverage

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Offers UI automation via models and CV; more test-focused than process RPA. Best for: Teams needing resilient, model-based UI testing.

Functionize

What it is: An AI-assisted end-to-end test platform for web and mobile with ML-driven selectors. Core strengths:

• Self-healing tests with ML

• Low-code and code options

• CI/CD integration and analytics

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Built for test automation rather than process automation; improves locator resilience. Best for: Teams seeking AI-aided test stability at scale.

Happo

What it is: A visual regression platform for web component snapshots in CI. Core strengths:

• Component-level diffs

• Parallel snapshot rendering

• Git-based review workflows

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Focuses on visual component quality, not workflow automation. Best for: UI component libraries and design systems.

IBM Rational Functional Tester

What it is: A legacy enterprise UI test automation tool for desktop and web. Core strengths:

• Mature enterprise features

• Support for Java/.NET scripting

• Integration with IBM ecosystems

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Test-first rather than RPA; suitable for legacy desktop and web UIs. Best for: Enterprises with established IBM toolchains.

Kobiton

What it is: A real-device testing cloud for mobile automation. Core strengths:

• Extensive device lab

• Appium-based automation support

• Performance and UX insights

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Purpose-built for mobile, not desktop RPA. Best for: Mobile-first teams needing real device coverage.

LambdaTest

What it is: A cross-browser and device cloud for automated and manual testing. Core strengths:

• Selenium, Playwright, Cypress support

• Real devices and emulators

• Parallelization and CI integrations

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Execution cloud for tests rather than RPA creation. Best for: Web and mobile teams scaling cross-platform coverage.

LoadRunner

What it is: Enterprise load and performance testing by OpenText (formerly Micro Focus). Core strengths:

• Protocol-level performance testing

• Realistic user modeling

• Rich analytics and integrations

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Focuses on performance under load, not UI workflow automation. Best for: Enterprises with complex performance requirements.

Mabl

What it is: A low-code, AI-augmented web and API testing platform. Core strengths:

• Self-healing tests

• Auto-generated insights and coverage

• CI/CD friendly SaaS

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Test automation with AI assistance; not intended for desktop RPA. Best for: Product teams wanting faster e2e feedback loops.

Micro Focus Silk Test

What it is: A legacy enterprise tool for desktop and web UI automation. Core strengths:

• Wide protocol/UI support

• Enterprise reporting and control

• Mature toolchain

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Test automation focus; less about business process orchestration. Best for: Enterprises maintaining legacy desktop/web apps.

Microsoft Playwright Testing

What it is: A managed cloud service for scaling Playwright test runs. Core strengths:

• First-class Playwright support

• Parallel, distributed execution

• Tight CI/CD integration

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Web testing execution at scale, not RPA workflow design. Best for: Teams standardizing on Playwright.

NeoLoad

What it is: An enterprise load and performance testing platform. Core strengths:

• Scalable load generation

• CI/CD and monitoring hooks

• User journey modeling

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Performance engineering toolset, not RPA. Best for: Performance teams requiring enterprise-grade load tests.

New Relic Synthetics

What it is: Scripted browser and API checks inside New Relic’s observability platform. Core strengths:

• Synthetic checks tied to APM data

• JavaScript-based scripting

• Global run locations

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Production monitoring vs. desktop RPA; complements reliability engineering. Best for: Teams monitoring production user journeys.

Percy

What it is: Visual testing via snapshot diffs integrated into CI. Core strengths:

• Fast visual coverage

• Git-centric review workflows

• SDK/CLI integrations

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Visual validation, not process automation. Best for: Front-end teams catching CSS/UX regressions.

Perfecto

What it is: An enterprise device cloud for web and mobile testing. Core strengths:

• Real devices and browsers

• Advanced analytics and reporting

• Enterprise security and scale

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Provides execution infrastructure; not an RPA authoring tool. Best for: Large orgs needing compliant device clouds.

Pingdom

What it is: Uptime and transactional synthetic monitoring for web and APIs. Core strengths:

• Simple uptime and flow checks

• Alerting and reporting

• Global test locations

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Production reliability checks, not deep functional RPA testing. Best for: Ops and DevOps monitoring customer-facing SLAs.

RPA Tools (UiPath)

What it is: A leading RPA suite for Windows and macOS with strong governance and a large ecosystem. Core strengths:

• Visual + .NET extensibility

• Enterprise orchestration and security

• Extensive marketplace and community

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Direct RPA competitor; selection often depends on ecosystem and developer experience. Best for: End-to-end RPA programs across business units.

Ranorex

What it is: A codeless/scripted e2e tool for desktop, web, and mobile with an object repository. Core strengths:

• Robust recorder and spy tools

• C#/.NET extensibility

• Comprehensive UI object handling

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Test-first with strong desktop support; less focused on process orchestration. Best for: QA teams seeking reliable desktop and web UI tests.

ReadyAPI

What it is: A commercial API testing suite for SOAP, REST, and GraphQL by SmartBear. Core strengths:

• Contract and regression testing

• Data-driven and security tests

• CI/CD integration

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Focuses on APIs, not UI or RPA; ideal for backend validation. Best for: API-first teams and service-heavy systems.

Repeato

What it is: A codeless, computer-vision-based mobile UI testing tool for iOS and Android. Core strengths:

• CV-based resilience to UI changes

• Fast authoring for mobile flows

• CI/CD friendly runs

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Purpose-built for mobile UI testing; not a desktop RPA platform. Best for: Mobile teams seeking quick, robust UI automation.

Sahi Pro

What it is: A web/desktop e2e automation tool designed for enterprise apps. Core strengths:

• Strong handling of dynamic UIs

• Data-driven testing

• CI and reporting integrations

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Test automation rather than RPA; better fit for complex web apps. Best for: Enterprises with tough, script-heavy web UIs.

Sauce Labs

What it is: A cloud platform for automated and manual testing on real and virtual devices. Core strengths:

• Large device/browser coverage

• Multi-framework support

• Insights and analytics

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Execution cloud and analytics, not bot-building. Best for: Scaling cross-platform test runs with governance.

Squish

What it is: A GUI test tool for Qt, QML, embedded, desktop, and web applications. Core strengths:

• Deep Qt/QML support

• Multiple scripting languages

• CI-friendly test execution

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Specialized UI testing, especially for Qt; not an RPA orchestrator. Best for: Teams building Qt/embedded UIs.

TestCafe Studio

What it is: A codeless IDE for web e2e testing built on TestCafe. Core strengths:

• Easy authoring without code

• Reliable cross-browser runs

• CI-friendly output and reports

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Web-only testing vs. desktop RPA workflows. Best for: QA groups wanting codeless web automation.

TestComplete

What it is: A codeless/scripted e2e platform by SmartBear for desktop, web, and mobile. Core strengths:

• Record/playback plus scripting

• Strong object mapping

• Broad technology coverage

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Closer to test automation with desktop support; less RPA governance focus. Best for: Teams mixing codeless and code-based UI automation.

Testim

What it is: An AI-assisted web testing tool with self-healing locators (SmartBear). Core strengths:

• Smart selectors and stability

• Low-code authoring

• CI/CD and parallelization

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Prioritizes web test resilience; not aimed at business process RPA. Best for: Web teams battling flaky locators.

Tricentis Tosca

What it is: A model-based test automation platform for web, mobile, desktop, and SAP. Core strengths:

• Model-based test design

• Strong SAP and packaged app support

• Enterprise reporting and CI

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Test automation at enterprise scale; not RPA per se, though it covers end-to-end flows. Best for: Enterprises testing large, complex app portfolios.

UFT One (formerly QTP)

What it is: An established enterprise GUI automation tool by OpenText for desktop and web. Core strengths:

• Mature object repositories

• VBScript-based extensibility

• Extensive tech stack support

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Focused on test automation; less about RPA orchestration and business process automation. Best for: Enterprises with legacy desktop/web apps.

Virtuoso

What it is: An AI-assisted e2e testing tool using vision and natural language for web and mobile. Core strengths:

• NLP-powered authoring

• Visual and DOM awareness

• CI/CD ready with analytics

Compared to Automation Anywhere: AI for testing, not RPA; emphasizes speed of authoring and maintenance. Best for: Teams wanting speedy, low-code test creation.

Waldo

What it is: A no-code mobile testing platform for iOS and Android with cloud execution. Core strengths:

• Recorder-based authoring

• Fast cloud runs

• Simple maintenance workflows

Compared to Automation Anywhere: Targeted at mobile UI; not a desktop or RPA-oriented solution. Best for: Mobile product teams and startups.

testRigor

What it is: A natural-language e2e testing platform for web and mobile. Core strengths:

• Plain English test authoring

• Self-healing and stability

• CI/CD integration

Compared to Automation Anywhere: NLP-driven test creation rather than RPA bot design. Best for: QA teams democratizing test authoring.

Things to Consider Before Choosing an Alternative

• Scope and target platforms: Do you need desktop RPA, or primarily web, mobile, API, or performance coverage?

• Language and extensibility: Will your team benefit from code-first frameworks, low-code, or natural-language authoring?

• Ease of setup and maintenance: How quickly can you onboard, and how much effort will ongoing maintenance require?

• Execution speed and scale: Can the tool run tests in parallel, on real devices, or across global locations?

• CI/CD and DevOps fit: Does it integrate cleanly with your pipelines, version control, secrets, and environments?

• Debugging and reporting: Are logs, screenshots, videos, and analytics sufficient to diagnose flakiness and regressions?

• Community and vendor support: Is there strong documentation, training, and responsive support?

• Governance and security: For enterprise use, consider auditability, SSO, RBAC, and compliance needs.

• Total cost of ownership: Balance licensing, infrastructure, training, and maintenance against productivity gains.

Conclusion

Automation Anywhere remains a powerful, widely adopted RPA platform—especially for orchestrating Windows-based business processes at enterprise scale. Yet modern QA and DevOps teams often need specialized capabilities across web, mobile, APIs, performance, and security that dedicated tools provide more efficiently.

If your priority is resilient web or mobile testing, tools like Playwright-based services, TestComplete, Mabl, Testim, or Functionize can reduce flakiness and accelerate feedback. For visual quality, Applitools, Percy, and Happo catch regressions that functional bots often miss. For mobile coverage, consider Perfecto, BrowserStack Automate, Sauce Labs, Kobiton, or Waldo. If you need enterprise-grade RPA, evaluate UiPath or Blue Prism alongside Automation Anywhere. For APIs, ReadyAPI excels; for performance, BlazeMeter, NeoLoad, and LoadRunner lead; for production reliability, Datadog Synthetic Tests, New Relic Synthetics, Checkly, and Pingdom fit well.

Ultimately, your choice should reflect your application stack, team skills, governance needs, and desired velocity. Many organizations combine a core RPA platform with specialized testing services to balance coverage, maintainability, and speed. Selecting the right mix will help you ship faster with higher confidence—while keeping maintenance and flakiness in check.