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April 24, 2025
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10
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Best AI Agents: Future Trends and Top Platforms to Watch
George Miloradovich
Researcher, Copywriter & Usecase Interviewer
AI agents are transforming how businesses work, moving from simple tools to advanced systems that handle complex workflows without human oversight. This guide breaks down the top platforms - Latenode, Zapier, and Make - and what makes them stand out for automation engineers, product builders, and teams scaling operations.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Best For | Starting Cost | Key Features | Ease of Use | Scalability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latenode | Custom workflows with coding | $5/month | AI-assisted coding, headless browser, NPM | Moderate | High |
| Zapier | Simple no-code automation | $19/month | 7,000+ app integrations, easy setup | Very Easy | Moderate |
| Make | Advanced workflows, low-code | $18.82/month | Visual builder, real-time monitoring | Moderate | High |
Let’s explore how these tools can streamline your workflows and scale your automation efforts.
Latenode blends the simplicity of no-code tools with the flexibility of custom coding, making it a standout platform for creating automated workflows.
One of its key features is the AI Code Copilot, which helps users generate custom JavaScript for more advanced integrations. As Charles S. shares:
"My favorite things about LateNode are the user interface and the code editor. Trust me, being able to write 'some' of your own code makes a huge difference when you're trying to build automations quickly" [1].
Latenode offers a range of tools that make it a powerful choice for automation:
Latenode uses execution-based pricing, charging based on the actual processing time rather than the number of tasks. This approach helps businesses manage costs effectively. For example, an education management organization streamlined its user onboarding process by linking Google Sheet Form submissions directly to its marketing platform, saving both time and resources [1].
Islam B., CEO of a computer software company, highlights how accessible the platform is:
"AI Nodes are amazing. You can use it without having API keys, it uses Latenode credit to call the AI models which makes it super easy to use. - Latenode custom GPT is very helpful especially with node configuration" [1].
Latenode offers a tiered pricing structure to suit businesses of all sizes:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Execution Credits | Active Workflows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 300 | 5 |
| Micro | $5 | 2,000 | 20 |
| Start | $17 | 10,000 | 40 |
| Grow | $47 | 50,000 | Unlimited |
This flexible pricing allows businesses to scale their automation efforts without overspending.
Zapier stands out as a platform dedicated exclusively to no-code automation, making it a go-to choice for businesses aiming to simplify processes without diving into custom coding. Trusted by 2.2 million companies, Zapier connects users to over 7,000 applications through automated workflows that are quick to set up - often in under six minutes [2].
Zapier offers a range of tools designed to streamline operations, including:
These features are designed to help businesses save time and operate more efficiently.
Zapier’s impact is best seen in real-world examples. For instance, Remote.com’s IT team significantly improved its efficiency in handling help desk requests. Marcus Saito, Director of IT at Remote.com, shared:
"Just last month, we had 1,100 help desk requests from our 1,700 employees. Normally, that many requests would overwhelm our team of three, but through our help desk workflows in Zapier, we resolved them easily. Our team of three is able to perform like a team of 10." [2]
The platform’s ability to cut costs is another major advantage. Tyler Diogo, Operations Manager at Arden Insurance, highlighted:
"Zapier saves over $500,000 annually!" [2]
This level of efficiency has driven widespread adoption, with 87% of Forbes Cloud 100 companies using Zapier in 2023. Users have collectively built over 25 million automated workflows on the platform [2].
Zapier’s interface is built around a straightforward, linear-tabular design, incorporating Kanban-style cards and trigger-action logic. Its pricing starts at $19 per month, making it accessible for businesses of various sizes.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Interface Style | Linear-tabular with Kanban cards |
| Starting Price | $19/month |
| App Integrations | Over 7,000 apps |
| File Handling | Basic capabilities |
| Setup Complexity | Beginner-friendly |
According to user feedback, 93% of customers report improved job performance after adopting Zapier’s automation tools [2].
Make is trusted by over 200,000 customers across 170+ countries [4]. Its visual workflow builder allows users - regardless of technical expertise - to design complex automation workflows without writing code.
Make supports high-volume automation through its extensive library of modules and integrations. With access to over 2,000 pre-built apps and 200 specialized integrations for AI tools, the platform enables businesses to create workflows that connect multiple systems and streamline processes [4].
Make's workflows, called 'Scenarios,' are built using interconnected modules that handle various tasks. Key components include:
Make consistently receives high ratings on major review platforms, reflecting its reliability and user satisfaction:
| Platform | Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Capterra | 4.8/5 | 387 reviews |
| G2 | 4.7/5 | 225 reviews |
| GetApp | 4.7/5 | 388 reviews |
| Gartner | 4.6/5 | 17 reviews |
Make uses an operations-based pricing model. The Core plan starts at $18.82 per month, covering 20,000 operations. This approach allows businesses to pay based on usage, though costs can rise significantly with higher operational demands.
Make leverages AI to enhance workflow automation, offering capabilities that simplify complex tasks:
These AI-driven features make it a strong choice for businesses looking to automate at scale.
"Make is organic, creative, and exciting to use; concepts conveyed through our new purple pink color gradient. Our new brand identity encourages people from all stripes, backgrounds, and organizations to create without limits."
- Make Team [3]
While some users may find the interface challenging at first, Make’s design reflects its emphasis on creativity and flexibility, which becomes more intuitive with experience.
Make supports enterprise-level needs with features like:
These capabilities make it a strong choice for organizations that require large-scale automation while maintaining efficiency.
Compare AI agent platforms by focusing on their functionality, ease of use, and scalability.
Zapier uses a straightforward linear-tabular interface with Kanban-style cards, making it a great choice for beginners. Make offers a visual drag-and-drop interface that supports more advanced workflows, including JSON/XML parsing and error handling, making it suitable for complex automation needs. These design differences result in distinct integration and workflow possibilities.
The number and flexibility of integrations directly affect how much you can automate:
| Feature | Zapier | Make | Latenode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Integrations | ~5,000 | 1,600+ | 1,000+ |
| Scenario Capacity | Up to 5 scenarios | Unlimited scenarios | Plan-dependent (up to 1.5M scenario runs/month on Prime plan) |
Each platform's pricing reflects its intended audience and capabilities:
Technical features and performance often determine how well a platform fits specific use cases.
File Handling and Data Processing
Workflow Complexity
Make and Latenode handle intricate workflows, while Zapier focuses on simplicity for quick setups. Latenode also introduces AI-assisted visual workflows, enabling more advanced automation.
Processing Power
Make is optimized for high-volume operations, while Latenode’s execution-based model allows for scalable performance tailored to your needs.
Advanced Features
Latenode stands out with features like:
Error Handling and Monitoring
Both Make and Latenode excel in monitoring and debugging. Latenode, in particular, offers detailed execution histories and the ability to re-run scenarios for precise troubleshooting.
Choosing the right platform depends on your specific automation goals and long-term needs. This comparison highlights the strengths and trade-offs of each tool, helping you align your choice with your business strategy.
Selecting the right AI agent platform depends on your business size, technical expertise, and future growth plans. Here's a breakdown based on different business needs:
Look for platforms with low initial costs, easy-to-use workflow builders, and integrations tailored to essential tools. For instance, Latenode provides flexible plans starting at $5/month, making it accessible for businesses at any stage.
Mid-sized businesses should prioritize platforms that support expanding automation needs, advanced workflows, and a wide range of integrations. Latenode is designed to grow with your business, offering scalable solutions without compromising cost efficiency.
Larger organizations typically require solutions that handle high automation volumes, offer strong security features, custom integrations, and real-time monitoring. Latenode's Prime plan meets these demands, along with tools for seamless team collaboration.
When evaluating platforms, consider not just subscription fees but also implementation costs and the potential return on investment. The best platform should align with your organization's growth while providing immediate benefits. This makes it easier to transition from basic automation setups to more complex workflows as your needs evolve.
AI agents significantly enhance productivity in customer service and marketing by automating repetitive tasks and optimizing workflows. For example, in customer service, AI agents can handle routine inquiries, provide instant responses, and even assist with issue resolution, freeing up human agents to focus on more complex tasks.
In marketing, AI agents can generate high-quality content such as blog posts, product descriptions, and social media copy, saving time and ensuring consistency. They can also analyze data to personalize campaigns and improve audience targeting, helping businesses achieve better results more efficiently.
When selecting an AI agent platform for automation, businesses should focus on a few key factors. Ease of integration is essential - ensure the platform works seamlessly with your existing tools and systems. Additionally, evaluate the platform's features to confirm they align with your specific automation needs, whether it's for managing workflows, enhancing customer service, or optimizing operations.
Cost is another important consideration. Look for a solution that fits your budget while delivering strong value. Finally, consider the platform's scalability to ensure it can grow alongside your business and handle increasing demands over time.
Latenode's execution-based pricing model is designed to maximize cost efficiency by charging only for the actual operations performed, rather than billing for tasks as a whole. This approach ensures businesses pay for what they use, avoiding unnecessary charges for idle or incomplete tasks.
By focusing on executions, companies can scale their automation efforts more effectively, aligning costs directly with usage. This model is especially beneficial for dynamic workflows, where the number of operations may vary significantly over time.
