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RPA market map and supplier insights Q2 2026

The Robotic Process Automation (RPA) market in Customer Experience (CX) has evolved significantly, moving from basic task automation to complex, autonomous orchestration powered by Agentic AI. This shift positions RPA as a critical component of enterprise digital strategy, with the global market reaching $3.8 billion in 2024, reflecting an 18% year-over-year increase.

Modern RPA solutions, integrating generative AI and 'Computer Use' capabilities, enable digital workers to perceive, reason, and act with greater autonomy, reducing maintenance burdens and adapting to interface changes. The primary driver for RPA adoption in CX is the need to address the unsustainable complexity of contact centers, where agents often juggle multiple disparate systems.

RPA offers quantifiable benefits, including a 391% increase in lead conversion probability when contacted within one minute, and projected annual savings of $17.6 billion in healthcare alone. However, choosing the right RPA solution is a high-stakes decision, as poor implementation can lead to technical debt and automation fragility, impacting brand trust and regulatory compliance.

Procurement teams must prioritize vendors offering resilient API-level integration, centralized governance, and a clear roadmap for Agentic AI and Hyperautomation. Successful RPA implementation extends beyond technology to encompass workflow transformation and cultural shifts. Organizations must focus on empowering 'citizen developers' and providing continuous training to agents, transitioning them from data entry roles to exception management.

Leaders in the RPA space, such as UiPath and Automation Anywhere, offer holistic platforms that combine process mining, app development, and AI orchestration, supported by extensive partner ecosystems. Strategic buyers should evaluate vendors based on their ability to deliver self-healing automations, manage multi-agent frameworks, ensure robust security, and demonstrate a clear time-to-value for complex CX processes.

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36 companies analyzed | Last updated Apr 22, 2026
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Palomarr Insights / Q2 2026

RPA

What does the latest RPA market report show?

The Q2 2026 Palomarr Insights report maps 36 RPA suppliers by market position, supplier scores, and category signals. Buyers can use it to understand the market before comparing vendors or building an RFP shortlist.

Palomarr Orbit

Unlike static analyst charts, Palomarr Orbit plots 36 RPA companies by Capabilities and Innovation, then lets you shift the center of gravity based on your priorities with Palomarr Orbit Shift. The closer to your unique core, the better the fit.

Palomarr Orbit Shift

Orbit Shift
Contenders
Leaders
Emerging
Challengers
CAPABILITIES
INNOVATION

Introduction

The Robotic Process Automation (RPA) landscape in Customer Experience (CX) has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from a simple efficiency tool to a core component of digital strategy. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the RPA market, focusing on its strategic trajectory, key technological shifts, and the critical factors for successful procurement and implementation within CX environments.

We examine the market's current state, its historical evolution, and future outlook, emphasizing the shift towards Agentic AI and Business Orchestration and Automation Technologies (BOAT).

Market landscape

The global RPA market is experiencing robust growth, reaching $3B in 2024 with an 18% year-over-year increase. This expansion is largely fueled by the integration of Agentic AI, enabling digital workers to perform complex tasks with increased autonomy. The market has moved beyond basic screen scraping and rule-based automation to intelligent process automation (IPA), incorporating AI and machine learning for cognitive handling of unstructured data.

The current era is defined by autonomous decision-making and self-healing automations, significantly reducing maintenance burdens.

Quadrant distribution

Companies are evaluated on two dimensions: Capabilities measure product depth and maturity, while Innovation reflects forward-thinking investments. The combined score shows overall market position.

$28B Global RPA market value (2025)
391% Lead conversion increase (1 min contact)
90% Processing time reduction (healthcare)

Key trends

Competitive analysis

The RPA competitive landscape is characterized by platform leaders like UiPath and Automation Anywhere, which offer comprehensive suites of discovery, orchestration, and development tools. These leaders are distinguished by their investments in Agentic AI, 'Computer Use' capabilities, and generative AI for prompt-driven automation. Ecosystem challengers, including Microsoft and SAP, provide deep integration within their own software stacks. Strategic procurement requires balancing native ERP capabilities with best-of-breed orchestrators to avoid vendor lock-in and ensure comprehensive automation across the customer journey.

How companies earn their ranking

For RPA, Capability scores are driven by reliability in high-volume environments, the depth of pre-built industry accelerators, and the robustness of the Orchestrator.

Innovation scores reflect investments in Agentic AI, Computer Use capabilities, and the integration of Generative AI for prompt-driven automation building.Top-ranked RPA companies demonstrate a holistic approach, combining process mining, app development, and AI orchestration into a single platform. They also maintain a vast global partner ecosystem, which is critical for providing localized implementation support.

Vendors can improve their ranking by prioritizing seamless integration with adjacent technologies, enhancing their AI-driven automation capabilities, and expanding their industry-specific solutions.

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Rankings

1
Best Overall Best Value
9.8 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.9 Innovation 9.7
2
Best for SMB
9.7 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.6 Innovation 9.8
3
Best for Mid-market
9.6 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.7 Innovation 9.5
4
Best for Enterprise
9.6 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.5 Innovation 9.7
5
9.5 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.6 Innovation 9.4
6
9.4 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.3 Innovation 9.5
7
9.3 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.4 Innovation 9.2
8
9.3 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.2 Innovation 9.4
9
9.2 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.3 Innovation 9.1
10
9.1 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.0 Innovation 9.2

Competitive assessment

Our AI-generated analysis explains what makes each top-ranked company a strong fit for RPA, based on their specific capabilities, product features, and market positioning.

1
Best Overall Best Value
9.8 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.9 Innovation 9.7

AutomationEdge integrates RPA with AI and intelligent document processing, providing a universal automation platform that supports diverse business applications.

  • AI-powered: Focuses on intelligent automation using AI
  • Bundled services: Includes essential automation technologies
  • Seamless integration: Integrates with existing business processes
CapabilitiesInnovationImplementationSupportPrice
2
Best for SMB
9.7 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.6 Innovation 9.8

Automation Anywhere leads in RPA through its Process Reasoning Engine, enabling seamless automation across various industries with prebuilt AI agents.

  • Robust and scalable RPA platform
  • Advanced cognitive capabilities for intelligent automation
  • Seamless integration with various enterprise systems
CapabilitiesInnovationImplementationSupportPrice
3
Best for Mid-market
9.6 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.7 Innovation 9.5

Neostella's platform supports legal automation with RPA capabilities, streamlining case management and enhancing operational efficiency across various legal practices.

  • Legal-specific workflow automation solutions
  • No-code automation tools
  • Nearshore talent integration services
CapabilitiesInnovationImplementationSupportPrice
4
Best for Enterprise
9.6 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.5 Innovation 9.7

Capacity offers a unified platform for AI support automation, enhancing customer interactions across channels with intelligent virtual agents and real-time analytics.

  • Unified knowledge base for all inquiries
  • Integrates seamlessly with 250+ tools
  • Expert in-house onboarding and support
CapabilitiesInnovationImplementationSupportPrice
5
9.5 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.6 Innovation 9.4

Kore.ai excels in RPA with its extensive marketplace of prebuilt AI agents and tailored applications that enhance customer service and process automation.

  • No-code development platform for rapid deployment
  • Flexible LLM integration options tailored for businesses
  • Strong focus on action-driven AI insights
CapabilitiesInnovationImplementationSupportPrice
6
9.4 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.3 Innovation 9.5

Amelia delivers advanced conversational AI capabilities for seamless customer interactions, leveraging its proprietary Agentic framework for effective task automation.

  • Autonomous action capabilities enhance efficiency
  • LLM-agnostic design supports diverse integrations
  • Comprehensive support model ensures successful deployment
CapabilitiesInnovationImplementationSupportPrice
7
9.3 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.4 Innovation 9.2

Quiq provides a robust AI-powered platform for customer engagement, optimizing workflows with real-time analytics and seamless handoffs to human agents.

  • Real-time, conversational messaging platform
  • Advanced routing and smart queuing capabilities
  • Omni-channel support for seamless customer experience
CapabilitiesInnovationImplementationSupportPrice
8
9.3 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.2 Innovation 9.4

Callvu enables intelligent digital customer experiences through RPA, automating complex processes and enhancing self-service capabilities across various industries.

  • Deterministic Execution
  • "Last Mile" Workflow Completion
  • Compliance-First Agentic CX
CapabilitiesInnovationImplementationSupportPrice
9
9.2 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.3 Innovation 9.1

Laivly's AI platform enhances contact center efficiency with its no-code Sidd Studio for deploying AI agents that support customer service teams.

  • AI-powered virtual assistant for customer support
  • Streamlined workflow automation and task management
  • Real-time data analytics and reporting capabilities
CapabilitiesInnovationImplementationSupportPrice
10
9.1 This score was generated by combining our proprietary Capabilities and Innovation scores Capabilities 9.0 Innovation 9.2

Cooperative Computing focuses on hyperautomation, offering solutions that enhance operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making for businesses transitioning to automation.

  • Hyper Automation for Seamless Operations
  • Tailored Digital Maturity Experience Approach
  • Real-Time Analytics for Informed Decisions
CapabilitiesInnovationImplementationSupportPrice

Recommendations

SMB buyers

Focus on solutions with intuitive low-code/no-code development environments to empower citizen developers. Prioritize vendors offering strong out-of-the-box templates and clear, predictable pricing to manage initial investment and ongoing costs effectively.

Mid-market buyers

Seek platforms that offer a balance of robust capabilities and scalability, with a clear roadmap for AI integration. Evaluate vendors based on their ability to provide both attended and unattended automation, alongside centralized governance features to manage growing bot fleets.

Enterprise buyers

Prioritize vendors with proven Agentic AI and self-healing capabilities, ensuring long-term stability and reduced maintenance. Demand comprehensive security features, API-level integration resilience, and a demonstrated ability to scale complex, end-to-end CX processes across diverse systems.

Implementation considerations

Implementing RPA is a multi-phase process, typically spanning 3 to 6 months from discovery to go-live. Key phases include discovery and assessment to identify high-ROI opportunities, detailed process design, development and configuration of automation scripts, and rigorous testing. Organizations must account for hidden costs beyond licensing, such as professional services, infrastructure for 'bot farms,' ongoing maintenance, and critical training and change management initiatives.

A 'Center of Excellence' is vital for managing cultural shifts and ensuring continuous optimization and agent satisfaction.

About this study

This report analyzes the strategic evolution of Robotic Process Automation within the Customer Experience sector. It evaluates market trajectory, technological shifts, and essential capabilities, providing a comprehensive guide for procurement teams.

FAQs & disclaimers

Is RPA only for legacy systems, or does it have a role with modern applications?

While RPA excels at connecting legacy systems, it has evolved into a strategic orchestration layer. In 2025, it is used alongside APIs to manage complex, multi-agent workflows that modern 'clean-sheet' systems cannot handle alone, making it relevant for both old and new applications.

How do we decide between 'Attended' and 'Unattended' bots for our contact center?

Use 'Attended' bots (Robotic Desktop Automation) when an agent needs a real-time assistant to fetch data or fill forms during a live customer interaction. Use 'Unattended' bots for high-volume, back-office work that can run independently in batches, such as reconciling payments or updating records after hours.

What is the biggest risk of choosing the wrong RPA vendor?

The biggest risk is incurring 'Technical Debt.' A vendor whose platform lacks self-healing or agentic capabilities will likely lead to high ongoing maintenance costs and frequent bot downtime, consuming budget that could otherwise be used for new innovation and value creation.

Can modern RPA platforms handle unstructured data like customer emails or scanned documents?

Yes, modern RPA platforms integrate Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) capabilities, utilizing Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Natural Language Processing (NLP). This allows them to accurately extract and process data from semi-structured and even handwritten sources, making them highly effective for tasks involving diverse document types.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Palomarr makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information contained herein for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Conclusion

The RPA market in Customer Experience is at a pivotal inflection point, driven by the advancements in Agentic AI and the need for autonomous orchestration. Organizations that embrace these technologies stand to gain significant competitive advantages through improved efficiency, reduced operational costs, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

The shift from simple task automation to intelligent, self-healing digital workers capable of complex reasoning redefines the potential of automation in the contact center. Successful adoption hinges on strategic vendor selection, focusing on capabilities like centralized governance, resilient integration, and a clear AI roadmap. Beyond technology, effective change management and investment in human capital are crucial to ensure agents transition smoothly to supervising AI-driven processes.

By prioritizing long-term value over initial licensing costs and rigorously evaluating vendor capabilities, enterprises can build a robust automation fabric that supports future growth and innovation. Ultimately, RPA is no longer just a tool for efficiency; it is a foundational pillar for digital transformation in CX.

The ability to deploy intelligent, adaptable digital employees will differentiate market leaders, enabling them to navigate the complexities of modern customer interactions and deliver superior service at scale.

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Explore RPA history, benefits, and future trends.

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Get expert advice on evaluating RPA solutions, including key capabilities and evaluation criteria.

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