RPA is the third-fastest growing area, following process mining and integration platform as a service (iPaaS). Traditionally dominated by .NET, RPA is expanding with Python-based tools, opening new possibilities for Python developers.
Explore the leading Python RPA platforms that enable developers to build effective automation solutions.
Python-based RPA platforms
The initial RPA platforms were based on the .NET framework to take advantage of its close integration with Windows OS. However, Python’s popularity has driven the creation of several new RPA platforms leveraging Python’s flexibility and simplicity. Here’s a comparison of leading Python-based RPA platforms for developers:
| Vendor | Focus | No code UI | Source Code | Fortune 500 Users | Code Marketplace | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argos Labs | Citizen and professional developer collaboration | ✅ | Proprietary | Softbank, SK Telecom, Toyota and others | ✅ | 3.0 based on 1 reviews. |
| Robocorp | Professional developers | ❌ | Open-source | N/A | ❌ | 4.6 based on 198 reviews. |
| Python RPA | Professional developers | ❌ | Proprietary | N/A | ❌ | 4.8 based on 18 reviews. |
| BotCity | Professional developers | ❌ | Proprietary | N/A | ❌ | 4.8 based on 132 reviews. |
| Selenium | Web scraping | ❌ | Open-source | N/A | ❌ | 4.3 based on 135 reviews. |
Note: The vendors are listed based on their employee numbers, except for the sponsor, who is placed at the top.
In addition to these vendors, UiPath offers support for Python scripts. However, the default programming language for the UiPath platform is .NET, with some support for C#. Therefore, it doesn’t cater directly to Python-first RPA development.
This list is specific to Python-based RPA platforms. To see the full list of RPA vendors, feel free to visit our up-to-date list of RPA software vendors on our website.
Here are profiles of selected Python RPA tools:
Argos Labs
Argos Labs is unique in providing an automation platform that serves both Python developers and citizen developers. Citizen developers can use the no-code interface to build automation, while Python developers can develop plugins to facilitate citizen developers’ work.
Robocorp
Robocorp was the leading open-source RPA platform for Python developers however, with the departure of its founder and CEO; its future is uncertain.1
Key ways Python developers can leverage RPA
Python developers have several options for contributing to the RPA landscape, capitalizing on the rapid growth and expanding opportunities in the market:
1. Build reusable plugins for marketplaces
Python developers can create reusable plugins to enhance the RPA ecosystem, potentially benefiting both professionally and financially. Most RPA platforms offer limited native functions (typically between 300 and 400), so plugins are essential for extending capabilities. Notably, marketplaces for RPA tools offer a range of third-party solutions, making this an appealing area for skilled Python developers.
- Document Processing: Given that invoice and document automation is highly sought-after in RPA, Python libraries for Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and data extraction are valuable. Developers can leverage libraries like Tesseract for OCR and develop monetizable plugins to assist in document data handling.
- Text Analysis (NLP/NLU): Python boasts robust NLP libraries, such as spaCy, Gensim, and NLTK, each with significant adoption on GitHub. NLP plugins can help RPA bots understand and process text data, providing valuable insights for business tasks.
- Machine Learning Integration: Machine learning-enabled bots are increasingly desirable for tasks requiring pattern recognition and decision-making. Several python libraries like TensorFlow and PyTorch are popular for integrating ML functions into RPA solutions.
- Image Processing and Web Scraping: Python’s image processing (OpenCV, NumPy) and web scraping (Scrapy, Selenium) libraries can enhance RPA functionality, making them excellent foundations for plugins in RPA marketplaces.
2. Join development teams of proprietary Python RPA products
Another way to immerse yourself in the Python RPA space is to join development teams at proprietary RPA companies. While relatively few platforms are Python-based, those identified in this article are growing, making this an opportune time to enter the field. As these platforms scale, so will the demand for Python developers with RPA expertise.
3. Contribute to open-source RPA projects
Several open-source RPA initiatives welcome developer contributions, providing a great pathway to gain RPA experience while boosting your open-source credentials. Contributing to these projects allows developers to participate actively in the growth of RPA and gain recognition within the development community.
If you want to learn more about Python RPA library, see our article.
FAQ
What is the RPA library?
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) libraries refer to collections of pre-built functions and tools designed to facilitate automation tasks using programming languages like Python. These libraries, often in the form of Python packages, offer a range of functionalities such as browser automation, computer vision automation, and UI automation.
For more check out our in-depth guide on Python RPA library.
What is the purpose of RPA library automation?
Library automation in the context of RPA serves to streamline and simplify the automation process. By leveraging Python code and Python RPA libraries, developers can rapidly create scripts to automate tasks such as data manipulation, mouse automation, and website automation. This approach eliminates the need for manual intervention in repetitive tasks, boosting efficiency and reducing errors.
Moreover, RPA tools offer extensive capabilities for automation, including browser automation with Chrome and optical character recognition (OCR). Ultimately, library automation empowers developers to drag and drop components, utilizing computer vision and quickly automate processes, enhancing productivity in robotic process automation fun.
What are the benefits of using Python for RPA?
Python RPA offers numerous use cases, including automating repetitive tasks and integrating with other applications.
Python RPA tools allow programmers to build bots using Python code and leverage numerous Python libraries and extensive integration capabilities.
For more on RPA
To learn more about RPA, feel free to read our comprehensive research on the topic:
- Ultimate Guide to Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
- 100+ RPA use cases/ Applications/ Examples
- 45 RPA Case Studies: Explore RPA in your Industry & Function
If you want to leverage an off-the-shelf RPA solution to transform your business, check out our data-driven lists of RPA vendors and different automation solutions providers.
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