What is Python RPA Library & Top 7 Vendors in 2024

According to the TIOBE index¹ that measures programming languages’ popularity, Python has been the most popular one since 2021 (Figure 1). Some of the largest companies that use Python for process automation are Spotify, Google, and Netflix².

Python packages are popular for creating RPA bots because they are easy to implement, compatible with other tools, and affordable. Below you can see the top 7 Python packages for creating robotic process automation (RPA) software bots.

What are the top Python RPA libraries?

*The table is sorted based on the number of Github stars as of 10/26/2023 in descending order.

1. Selenium

Selenium is a browser automation framework and therefore does not offer the full functionality expected from an RPA solution. However, given that browser automation can make up the majority of automation activities for some enterprises, AIMultiple decided to include Selenium in the list for now.

Pros 

• Low-code: Selenium Test cases may be written by everyone with a minimal understanding of programming languages such as Java.³

• Execution and integration: Selenium’s parallel test execution and integration features with frameworks like JUnit and TestNG are liked by some users.⁴

• Configurations: Users denote that Selenium can be efficiently configured to work with different browser drivers.⁵

Cons

• Support capabilities: Selenium does not support OTP (one-time passwords), captcha, animations, or subtitles and works only with web-based applications.⁶

• Tests: According to some users the tests are flaky sometimes because of loading/sync issues.⁷
• Setup: Users state that the setup is time-consuming when compared to other tools.⁸

2. Robot Framework

Pros 

• Automation: Automation support for writing tests and execution is well appreciated by users.⁹

• Testing: Users find Robot Framework’s keyword-driven testing process useful, allowing them to get started using the software with only basic scripting expertise.¹⁰

• Bots: Users think that the software’s bots are stable and reliable.¹¹

Cons

• Integrations: Users had problems with modern app integrations where pages change often without refreshing.¹²

• Knowledge base: There are numerous plugins, libraries, and versions in the setup, which are claimed to be disorganized and thus difficult to understand.¹³
• IDE: Users indicated that Robot Framework doesn’t have an efficient IDE (integrated development environment) solution.¹⁴

3. TagUI for Python (RPA for Python)

Pros

• Automation: TagUI for Python is a simple yet powerful tool for RPA, enabling a wide range of automation tasks.
• Syntax: It uses a straightforward syntax to emulate user behavior, making it easy to get started with.

Cons

• Syntax: Although it’s easy to use, for complex automation tasks, the simplified syntax might be limiting. I
• Features: Its simplicity also means that it might not offer as many features as other, more complex tools like a built-in optical character recognition engine.

4. Pywinauto

Pros

• Automation: Pywinauto’s Python solution can automate repetitive tasks on Windows without relying on screen resolution or mouse cursor positioning, which improves reliability.
• Installation: Pywinauto also doesn’t require a separate installation, thus streamlining the process.

Cons

• Multi-platform operations: It’s unsuitable for operating systems besides Windows and can only interact with web applications.
• Bots: It doesn’t support scheduling and managing bots at scale.
• Knowledge base: It may not be as feature-rich as other libraries, by lacking image file recognition and advanced reporting.

5. Automagica

Pros

• Automation: Automagica’s ready-to-use activities make it easier to create robotic process automation bots to automate tasks like:
  • Web automation
  • Desktop automation
  • Keyboard and mouse movement automation
  • Working with files and directories, and more.

Cons

• Functionality: Automagica’s ease of use might limit its functions, such as:
  • Lack of flexibility for complex tasks that don’t fit neatly into predetermined formats, like those involving data manipulation
  • Limited lower-level control over cases that deal with complex systems and unusual edge cases
  • No built-in orchestration and control room for managing, controlling, and deploying bots across an organization

6. Robocorp

Pros 

• Development: Users say that Robocorp is an efficient tool to leverage development options, such as Python and Automation Studio projects for low-code programming.¹⁵

• Integrations: Users have provided positive credit to Robocorp’s Integration with Python libraries.¹⁶

• Ease-of-use: According to some users, the development tools, their vscode plugins for autocomplete, and the interactive console are easy to use.¹⁷

Cons

• Documentation: Some users think that the documentation could be improved and more built-in libraries can be added.¹⁸

• Functionality: UI lacks drag-and-drop capability.¹⁹
• Control room: Some users state that the control room is expensive and it is complex to operate.²⁰

7. BotCity

Pros 

• Functionality: Orchestration, versioning, and ease of deployment of high code codes is organized.²¹

• Lock-in and migration: Users think that Botcity provides seamless lock-in and migration planning.²²

• Customer support: Some user highlights that customer support is fast and effective via Slack.²³²⁴

Cons

• Customization: The platform currently lacks capabilities that, there is no customized access for users, which means that everyone has the same view regardless of ranking.²⁵

• Queuing feature: Users claim that the Maestro platform lacks a queuing function. The logs page is the only way to see how the program is performing.²⁶
• Tickets: There is no environment for opening tickets.²⁷

What does a Python RPA library do?

A Python RPA library provides a set of tools and functions that make it easier to implement RPA using the Python programming language for automating repetitive, time-consuming tasks like:

• Mouse automation
• Reading and writing to databases
• Copy-pasting information
• Filling out forms
• Moving files around, etc.

Learn more about processes that are suitable for RPA automation.

What do Python libraries offer?

1. User interface interactions

Some libraries provide GUIs for easy implementation of a Python script into a bot. These include: 

• Clicking buttons 
• Typing into fields 
• Selecting items from dropdown menus 
• Anything else that a human user might do

2. Web scraping

Some RPA libraries provide tools for web scraping, which involves extracting data from websites.

3. Decision making

More advanced RPA tools can include features for making decisions based on the data they interact with. This can involve things like sending an email or choosing different actions based on the content of a document.

Learn more about data-driven decision-making.

4. Integration

They often provide the ability to integrate with other software or applications. This can include things like reading and writing Excel files, interacting with email clients, or connecting to APIs.

Learn more about RPA integration. 

What are alternatives to Python RPA libraries?

Open source options are affordable and easy-to-adopt. However, some proprietary software can also be affordable. You can learn more about RPA tools that are under $2,000 by downloading our whitepaper:

Guide to Choosing an RPA Technology Partner

For more on RPA implementation

To learn more about RPA implementation, read:

• RPA Testing: What It Is, Importance, & Best Practices
• Top 4 Cost-Effective RPA Tools Under $2,000
• 5 RPA Programming Options You Need to Know

If you do not want to use an RPA python library, but work with an RPA vendor, explore our data-driven list of RPA solutions:

Find the Right Vendors

This article was originally written by former AIMultiple industry analyst Bardia Eshghi and reviewed by Cem Dilmegani

Sources

• 1. “TIOBE Index for May 2023” TIOBE. 2023. Retrieved on May 31, 2023.
• 2. “10 Companies Using Python In 2023 & Why It’s Their Go-To.” Learn Enough. April 24, 2023. Retrieved on May 31, 2023.
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• 4. ”Senelium Reviews“. G2. May 12, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
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• 14. ”Robot Framework Reviews“. TrustRadius. December 09, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
• 15. ”Robocorp Reviews“. TrustRadius. April 19, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
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• 19. ”Robocorp Reviews“. TrustRadius. October 31, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
• 20. ”Robocorp Reviews“. Capterra. November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
• 21. ”BotCity Reviews“. G2. March 22, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
• 22. ”BotCity Reviews“. G2. March 16, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
• 23. ”BotCity Reviews“. G2. March 14, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
• 24. ”BotCity Reviews“. G2. March 11, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
• 25. ”BotCity Reviews“. G2. March 22, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
• 26. ”BotCity Reviews“. G2. March 16, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
• 27. ”BotCity Reviews“. G2. March 21, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.