AutoIt vs RoboTask (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, AutoIt and RoboTask share a 2.4 GPA, both have a free plan and their prices can't be set side by side, so the choice depends on whether you care more about the free plan, where AutoIt grades higher, or features and ease of use, where RoboTask does.
Checked Oct 6, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Oct 10, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
They get the same grade on value for money and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
RoboTask
Task automation for Windows built from ready-made actions
Which one is for you
Pick AutoIt if
- Fits if you can write short scripts and need to automate Windows programs
- Works for IT staff who script repeatable desktop tasks
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you want a visual builder, as everything is written as code
- Not for you if you use a Mac or Linux, since it is Windows only
- Watch out: the vendor points to the licence inside the download for terms of use, so read it before business use
Pick RoboTask if
- Fits if you're on Windows and tired of Task Scheduler jobs and batch files
- Works for servers that need file transfers, backups or email jobs run with nobody logged on
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you're on a Mac or Linux, because it only runs on Windows
- Pricey if you need the Database or CSV plugins or remote connections, which come with the $249 Business license
- Tight if you're staying free, with 5 tasks of 50 steps and personal, non-commercial use only
- Watch out: updates stop after a year unless you renew at $59 for Personal or $99 for Business
- Not for you if you want to build tasks in a browser or on a phone, as there's no web or phone version
How we grade them
| 2.4GPAAutoItFair | 2.4GPARoboTaskFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFreeware you can download and run, either installed or portable. | A$149 once for a Personal license, where subscriptions here run from about $19 a month, so it costs about eight months of one and the installed version keeps working. Updates are included for a year and renewal is optional at $59. The Database, CSV and remote features need the $249 Business license. |
| Free plan and trial | AFree outright with no cap, though the vendor says to check the licence inside the download. | CThe Free Licence is personal and non-commercial only, and it stops at 5 tasks of 50 steps each, though it does include every trigger and the debugger. There's also a 30-day trial with everything working and no registration asked for. |
| Features | CGUI automation, compiled executables, a COM component and a script editor. It does the Windows job fully, but only as code. | BMore than 300 ready-made actions covering files, FTP, SFTP, email, REST calls, web forms, databases and keyboard and mouse input, with conditions, loops, variables, a macro recorder and Python, JavaScript or PowerShell inside a task. It also runs as a Windows service with nobody logged on. |
| Ease of use | DNo store rating on record. Automations are written as scripts, which is the opposite of start-and-go. | CNo store rating on record. There's no scripting language to learn, which is the pitch, but building a task still means picking your way through 300-odd actions and adding conditions, loops and variables. The 30-day trial at least needs no registration. |
| Platforms and integrations | DA single operating system: Windows 7 to 11 and Windows Server. Links to PowerShell, VBScript and COM only. | DWindows only, from Windows 7 to 11 and Server 2008 to 2022, with no Mac, Linux, web or phone version. Instances on different machines can launch each other's tasks, but remote network and REST connections need the Business licence. |
| Best for | scripting Windows tasks in a BASIC-like language | replacing batch files and scheduled jobs on Windows |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: AutoIt and RoboTask. How we grade
Where they differ
- RoboTask can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- AutoIt also covers window management.
- RoboTask also covers no-code.
At a glance
| AutoIt | RoboTask | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free plan |
| Starts at | Free | $149 one-time for a Personal license, with 1 year of updates |
| Free plan | Freeware: AutoIt is described as freeware, with an installer and a portable download. | Free License for personal, non-commercial use: the standard action set, all triggers and the task debugger, limited to 5 tasks of up to 50 steps each. |
| Free trial | None listed | 30-day free trial with all features fully functional, no registration required |
| Windows | ||
| Made by | AutoIt Consulting Ltd | Neowise Software |
| Price read from | autoitscript.com | neowise.com |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 |
Worth knowing
AutoIt
- It is a scripting language, so automations are written as code rather than built visually.
- Windows only: the current version lists Windows 7 to 11 and Windows Server 2008 to 2022.
- The vendor says to check the license inside the download for specific terms of use.
- The latest version listed is v3.3.18.0, released 7 September 2025.
RoboTask
- Windows only: the system requirements list Windows 7 to 11 and Windows Server 2008 to 2022.
- The Free License is for personal, non-commercial use and stops at 5 tasks of 50 steps each.
- The Personal License leaves out the Database, CSV Data, WebSockets and Console App plugins, and remote connections need a Business License.
- Updates are included for one year. Renewing costs $59 a year for Personal and $99 for Business; the installed version keeps working without it.
Key features
AutoIt
- GUI automation
- Simulates keystrokes and mouse movement and manipulates windows, controls and processes.
- Compiled executables
- Aut2Exe converts scripts into standalone .exe files that run without extra runtimes.
- AutoItX
- A COM and DLL version adds AutoIt features to other languages, including VBScript and PowerShell, with a C# assembly and PowerShell cmdlets.
- Language features
- Supports user functions, loops, regular expressions, COM, Unicode and x64, and can call external DLL and Windows API functions.
- Script editor
- A customized SciTE editor with extra coding tools for AutoIt is available as a separate download.
RoboTask
- Visual task editor
- A task is built by picking and combining actions in a visual editor, with conditions, loops, custom variables and expressions. No batch files or scripts are needed.
- Schedules and event triggers
- Tasks run on a schedule or when something happens: a hotkey, a file or folder change, a window or process event, a device being plugged in, a logon, or CPU and RAM usage.
- Macro recorder
- Keyboard and mouse actions can be recorded and replayed, and tasks can send keystrokes, move the pointer and click in any application.
- Files, FTP, email and web actions
- Actions copy and sync files, transfer over FTP, SFTP and FTPS, send and receive email with attachments, call REST APIs, scrape pages and fill web forms.
- Python, JavaScript and PowerShell
- Scripts in Python, JavaScript or PowerShell run inside a task alongside the visual actions, with no extra services to install.
- Windows service and networking
- RoboTask runs as a regular application or as a Windows service that works with nobody logged on. Instances on different machines can launch each other's tasks over a LAN or the Internet.
Plans
AutoIt
Free$0
AutoIt, the script converter, AutoItX and a cut-down editor are included in the free download.
RoboTask
Free License$0
Personal, non-commercial use only. Standard action set, all triggers and the task debugger, with at most 5 tasks and 50 steps per task.
Personal License$149
one-time, with 1 year of updates
Unlimited tasks and steps plus Windows service mode. Leaves out the Database, CSV Data, WebSockets and Console App plugins; network and REST API are local only.
Business License$249
one-time per license, with 1 year of updates
No functional limits: every plugin, remote network and REST API connections, and priority support. Volume pricing starts at 2 licenses.
Ways to pay less
AutoIt
No public discounts listed.
RoboTask
- Lifetime license
Perpetual license with a one-time payment
Every license is perpetual and never expires. A purchase includes one year of updates and priority support, and a Personal license upgrades to Business for the $100 difference.
- Other savings
Volume discounts on Business licenses
The per-license price falls to $207.50 for 2 to 4 licenses, $166.00 for 5 to 9 and $124.50 for 10 to 49. Orders of 50 or more are quoted.
- Other savings
Multi-year update renewals at a discount
Renewing updates for 2 years saves 5% and for 3 years saves 10%: $113 and $160 for Personal, $189 and $268 for Business.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, AutoIt or RoboTask?
As of Nov 13, 2026, AutoIt is free, and RoboTask starts at $149 one-time for a Personal license, with 1 year of updates.
Which has a free plan, AutoIt or RoboTask?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both AutoIt and RoboTask have a free plan.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.