Estuary Flow vs Workato: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Estuary Flow and Workato comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Estuary Flow
Real-time data integration and ETL
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need workflow automation features specifically
- • Estuary Flow is a real-time data integration platform for building ETL and CDC pipelines
- • It streams data between databases, warehouses, and SaaS apps with exactly-once delivery
Workato
Enterprise automation and integration platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.2/10)
- • You need automation features specifically
- • iPaaS for enterprise integration
- • Pre-built connectors to SaaS apps
| At a Glance |  Estuary Flow |  Workato |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Workflow Automation | Automation |
Rating | 82/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Estuary Flow | Workato |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 82 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Workflow AutomationETL & Data Pipelines | AutomationWorkflow Automation |
How Estuary Flow and Workato Compare
Estuary Flow
Real-time data integration and ETL
Free tier available · 82/100 score
Workato
Enterprise automation and integration platform
Paid · 85/100 score
Estuary Flow is a workflow automation tool. Workato is in automation.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Estuary Flow has a free tier. Workato is paid only.
Go with: Estuary Flow
Want the highest-rated option?
Estuary Flow: 82/100. Workato: 85/100.
Go with: Workato
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Workato
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Estuary Flow is freemium. Workato is paid. Estuary Flow lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Estuary Flow is a workflow automation tool. Workato is in automation. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Workato scores higher: 85/100 vs 82/100.
Key Takeaways
Workato
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 82
- Our pick for this comparison
Estuary Flow
- Has a free tier
- Better fit for workflow automation
The Bottom Line
Workato (85/100) is our pick. Estuary Flow has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Estuary Flow or Workato better?
Workato scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Estuary Flow is freemium and Workato is paid.
What are Estuary Flow and Workato used for?
Estuary Flow: Real-time data integration and ETL. Workato: Enterprise automation and integration platform.
What does Estuary Flow cost vs Workato?
Estuary Flow is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Workato is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.