Power Automate Cloud or Desktop: which to use?
Cloud for SaaS integrations and triggers. Desktop for RPA against legacy Windows apps without APIs.
Try this first
- 1Cloud flow if trigger comes from M365, SharePoint, Dataverse
- 2Desktop flow if you must drive a GUI without an API
- 3Combine: cloud starts desktop flow via gateway machine
- 4Plan a dedicated machine for unattended desktop flows
When to bring us in
Ask a Microsoft partner for licensing advice if attended/unattended split is unclear.
See also
- n8n: self-host or cloud?Self-hosted is cheaper at volume and keeps data local. Cloud removes ops burden.
- Zapier or Make: which fits better?Zapier is straight-line; Make handles complex flows with routers and iterators for less money.
- Someone has critical integrations in IFTTTIFTTT is consumer tooling. No audit, no team roles, weak error handling. Migrate off.
None of the above fits?
Describe your situation below. We pass your input plus the steps you already saw to our AI and return tailored next-step advice. If it's too risky to DIY, we'll say so.
Or skip the DIY entirely
Our Managed IT clients do not look these things up. One point of contact, a fixed monthly price, resolved within working hours.