Comparing Integration Options

Several Microsoft technologies might replace or be combined with Azure Logic Apps for application integration projects.

BizTalk Server is a mature software platform for application integration. Compared with Logic Apps, it is designed for on-premises deployment and offers stronger industry-specific messaging support (such as HL7 for healthcare and SWIFT for finance) and other technical advantages. Consequently, BizTalk Server could be a better choice than Logic Apps for internal application integration and some business-to-business projects. However, Microsoft continues to narrow the feature gap between Logic Apps and BizTalk Server, and a containerized Logic Apps on-premises deployment option is available. Consequently, organizations using BizTalk Server might consider using Logic Apps for new projects or major expansions.

Power Automate is a cloud workflow service that uses the same engine, graphical designer, and connector technology as Logic Apps. Power Automate does not use Visual Studio plug-ins for development or Azure management tools and security as Logic Apps does, and it does not offer some connectors (such as the Electronic Data Interchange [EDI] connectors) that Logic Apps has. However, unlike Logic Apps, Power Automate integrates with the Power Apps business application development service, and Power Automate and Power Apps developers can customize applications, such as SharePoint and Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement. Power Automate also has some options for user interaction (such as manually triggered workflows) that Logic Apps does not. Consequently, developers might choose Power Automate to customize Microsoft applications for users while using Logic Apps for business-to-business integration or integration with third-party cloud services. Because Logic Apps and Power Automate use the same workflow platform and designer, developers can export workflows from Power Automate into Logic Apps if they encounter limitations in Power Automate. Similarly, Logic Apps can be exported as custom connectors for use in Power Automate.