Flowable
Open-source BPMN, CMMN and DMN engines plus an enterprise case management and AI agent platform.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Web, Self-hosted
Is Flowable free?
Yes, free and open source
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About Flowable
Flowable makes compact Java engines for running processes (BPMN), cases (CMMN) and decision tables (DMN). The open-source engines are Apache-2.0 licensed and can be embedded straight into a Java or Spring application or run as a separate service with REST APIs, which makes them popular with developers who want workflow inside their own product. On top of the engines, Flowable sells an enterprise platform with low-code modelling, case management, dashboards, document handling and, more recently, governed AI agents aimed at banks, insurers, healthcare and the public sector. The free Flowable Design cloud modeler lets anyone draw models in the browser, and the enterprise platform has a free trial, but its pricing is by quote. Flowable was started by former Activiti developers, and its engines are a common choice for teams moving off Activiti or Camunda 7.
Best for: Java teams embedding workflow, and regulated enterprises needing auditable case management.
Pros and cons
What works
- Apache-2.0 engines for BPMN, CMMN and DMN in one stack
- Embeds inside Java and Spring apps or runs as a REST service
- Free browser-based modeler
- Strong case management for long-running, exception-heavy work
Why people leave
- The open-source engines are developer tools with no business-user UI
- Enterprise platform pricing is not published
- Java-centric; teams on other stacks must work through the REST API
Flowable vs Bonita, Pipefy and Nintex
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
Top Flowable alternatives
See all 5- 1
Bonita68.8Open-source BPM with a desktop studio and UI builder for teams that want screens, not just an engine.
- 2
Pipefy61.8No-code process boards that business teams can set up in an afternoon.
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Nintex57.5Low-code workflow and document automation for business teams, easier to adopt than modelling BPMN processes in Flowable.
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Appian54.4Managed enterprise low-code platform with process mining for companies that don't want to build on an engine.
- 5
Kissflow51.2Hosted no-code workflows and approvals when you don't need an embeddable engine at all.
Why people left Flowable
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Reviews
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Flowable: common questions
What is Flowable?
Flowable: Open-source BPMN, CMMN and DMN engines plus an enterprise case management and AI agent platform. Best for java teams embedding workflow, and regulated enterprises needing auditable case management. Available for Web, and you can host it yourself.
Is Flowable free?
Yes. Flowable is free, open-source software.
Is Flowable open source?
No, Flowable is not open source.
What platforms does Flowable run on?
Flowable is available for Web and Self-hosted.
What are the best alternatives to Flowable?
The highest-ranked Flowable alternatives right now are Bonita, Pipefy and Nintex. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Flowable vs Bonita: what's the difference?
Both Flowable and Bonita are free and open source. Only Flowable runs on Web. Only Bonita runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.