# Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) Reviews **Vendor:** Amazon Web Services (AWS) **Category:** [Other IT Infrastructure Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/other-it-infrastructure) **Average Rating:** 4.0/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 20 ## About Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) Amazon SWF is an application that helps developers build, run, and scale background jobs that have parallel or sequential steps it has a fully-managed state tracker and task coordinator in the Cloud. ## Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) Reviews ### 1. easy to use, understand, and implement **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** austin s. | Analyst, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 17, 2020 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** the ability and ease at which I can organize my inflow inputs and outputs of tasks, as well as easy to understand navigation - keep historical logs of workflows, easily organize and see any upcoming workload **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** can be difficult to integrate with some tasks and programs, but that is the outlier, easier to work with AWS programs, which can add up in cost **Recommendations to others considering Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF):** Great product, especially implemented with other products from the AWS system **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** we are solving the inability we had to maintain an organized and tracked distributed application state, this has greatly improved employee productivity and decreased downtime ### 2. Simple, easy to use Work flow. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Morgan G. | Senior Software Engineer, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 28, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** What I like about AWS Simple Work Flow is it has all kind of APIs that connect all AWS services together for your use and runs stable. You can design your work flow very easily and scale it with simple configuration. It has the ability to scale to match your business growth. I also like the notification it pushes to system operators that we don't have to manually check where the workflow is now. Overall, I am very happy about AWS SWF brought to our team. **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** I have not found anything I do not like yet. **Recommendations to others considering Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF):** For companies that need data processing or monitoring. Workflow can help do it. **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** We designed a workflow to process data from different terminals and get notified when it is done. AWS Simple work flow provides simple stable function to make it happen. ### 3. Old, bulky, and not generalizable **Rating:** 1.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Austin C. | Solutions Architect, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 28, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** SWF is good at holding state for a very long time and integrating with a lot of different services. It's one of few services good at integrating with human feedback when a portion of your workflow occurs in the real, physical world. **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** It is extremely bulky and finicky. We had issues with it failing to recognize events and querying the state is extremely unwieldy. We used a serverless system to query the workflow to figure out current state and it was terrible to do, because it required downloading the entire history of the entire workflow to get to the most recent events. **Recommendations to others considering Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF):** Only use SWF if you absolutely must avoid serverless services like lambda or if you need to keep state for a workflow in the time frame of weeks/months and not just hours or days. Step functions is a far superior service if you only need to maintain workflow state for at at most a couple days. **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** We used it to maintain state for an async, stateless, serverless application which was monitoring a workflow process. It can store an incredible amount of information. ### 4. Simple Workflows get stuff done **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 20, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** SWF is a quick and efficient solution to triggering workflows and getting work done in an automated fashion. It can be combined with Lambda for serverless solutions. **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** Based on my usage of Amazon Simple Workflow so far, there haven't been any opportunities for me to dislike something about the console. In regards to the technology in general though, it is hard to think of solutions in a step function fashion. CloudWatch also has limitations in terms of latency. **Recommendations to others considering Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF):** Getting started is simple with the automatic sample workflow AWS provides. It allows you to quickly spin up an EC2 instance and trigger a workflow to see how it works. Documentation is extensive so use that to your advantage. **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** Currently I am using simple workflow service to allow blog readers to subscribe and choose different notification preferences. ### 5. Managing Complex Workflows Across Platforms and Geographical Locations **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Broadcast Media | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 22, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** SWF is a great framework for formalizing complex workflows. It establishes a standard methodology that facilitates the integrations of tasks and jobs that are designed and fulfilled in disparate locations so that the various teams get the necessary visibility into the processes that precede as well as follow their own tasks. This applies at the human level as well as the software level where applications notify each other of progress in a methodical manner. **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** As can be expected of such a powerful tool, the ramp up process is difficult. It is possible that the workflow control will have to be adjusted several times to account for unforeseen situations before a stable workflow is achieved. **Recommendations to others considering Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF):** Once the team is past the initial ramp up period, the productivity is tremendous and the reliability excellent. **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** A TV broadcast center required a complex content workflow for purchasing, converting, editing, adding subtitles or voice overs, scheduling and reconciling airing events. Starting with the business side where content contracts were signed that included the airing rights period and payments that required notifying the media library personnel to perform their tasks and generated electronic as well as printed work orders for every step along the way. As the content preparations were finalized the workflow notified the schedulers of its availability for airing and the preferred air dates. SWF completed the workflow by reconciling airing events with the content provider for payment. ### 6. The SWF Experience **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Human Resources | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 22, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** AWS API directly (using the .Net SDK). If you are using Java Or Ruby amazon provider a higher level library for SWF called Flow Framework. **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** Rate Limiting and Throttling. More specifically, limiting number of operations per second. **Recommendations to others considering Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF):** When I first read about SWF I had a concept of tiny workers and deciders working together like ants to achieve a greater goal **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** Our project is based on C#. We are using the AWS API directly (using the .Net SDK). If you are using Java Or Ruby amazon provider a higher level library for SWF called Flow Framework. For C#, I wrote what I needed myself, or simply used the “low level” API. Out project processes a large number of files daily, and it was my task to convert our previous batch-based solution to SWF. ### 7. Scalable and very easy to work with **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Thomas K. | I am a security Advisor at my organization, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 29, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** This AWS simple work flow is very good such that the logical separation of the control flow happens very quick and the flow is very flexible to work with. **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** I do not dislike anything as of now If there is any I will inform to G2 Crowd **Recommendations to others considering Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF):** I would like to recommend this to others who are using multiple tools to work with in the same application. **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** We are trying to solve the use of multiple tools for the same application using this SWF ### 8. Amazing experience and easy to **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Felix N. | SEO and BI Analytics Associate, Information Technology and Services, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 29, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** Great user interface with simple navigation. Easy to monitor via Amazon Cloudwatch. **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** The number of operations per seconds are limited and could be difficult to raise. **Recommendations to others considering Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF):** The best solutions for automating complex workflows. **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cut down on time spent in managing our processes by setting automated workflows. ### 9. Very helpful & beneficial! **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Executive Office | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 29, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** I like the smoothness of it all, along with the accurateness! Easy to understand & flow thru the process! **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** Nothing really! It has been easy to process thru things & quite understandable! **Recommendations to others considering Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF):** I would say to at the MINIMUM, give it a try! I don't think you would be disappointed! The ease of it alone makes it worth it! Even the "adjustments" to it make it exceptional to use! If your new to anything like it; i would recommend that you should start here with this! Go from there! I do think you will be please with it though! **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** assisting people with the needs as well as wants! That's the key! ### 10. Not simple as it is called **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Simsek M. | CEO, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 28, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** It makes workflows work great which enabled us make different systems run interactively. **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** But it is not as simple as it is called. It is hard to configure and a bad interface. **Recommendations to others considering Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF):** I would recommend if you are very familiar with similar systems and handle a complicated interface. **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** Connecting some different services run integrated. ### 11. Amazon Simple Workflow Service **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Media Production | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 29, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** A fantastic media processing tool to better understand and break down. This service is a great method to see analytics in an easy fashion! **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** I don't have any specific complaints connected to the Amazon Simple Workflow Service...they name itself tells the simplicity and expectation you can and will receive from this tool! **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** This software really lets you control an application in put and allow you to adjust and monitor the work that's being done. A great way to see media processing. ### 12. Seamless integration **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** LaTisha H. | Program Manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 09, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** With no tech background, I used this program with our tech department and it helped to build our Company app. I like the server-less platform **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** Haven't used others programs to compare it to for me to dislike **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** It cut down our processing time for orders. ### 13. Amazon Workflow to Administer Daily Tasks **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ra D. | Commercial Account Executive I, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 25, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** Unique features along with the simplicity Amazon provides. **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** Customer service could be more consistent. **Recommendations to others considering Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF):** Keep it simple and improve the response time from customer service. **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** It helps me simplify my online marketing business. ### 14. Helps with task flow **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Cosmetics | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 28, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** Helps business run smoothly with task flow and organization and help coordinate my task all in one place, which makes things easier for me in the end. **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** I did get the sample version which didn't give much time to explore all the good functions and good use I could get fro the software. **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am currently using it for my online store for purchasing , modifying and subscribing. ### 15. Fairly simple to use and easy integration **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 22, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** Amazon Simple Workflow Service was fairly straightforward to setup with my clients developer, and had an easy integration as well. Well priced too! **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** My only complaint is that there wasn't an easy way to communicate with customer service. I had lots of questions throughout setup, and didn't have the tools to contact someone at SWF. **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** Our business is incredibly more efficient and automated now thanks to SWF. ### 16. Ease of communication **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Hospital & Health Care | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 29, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** Allowance of cross functional work flow between departments with minimal interruptions. **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** At this time, I have no concerns in using AWS **Recommendations to others considering Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF):** Consider cross functional communication in your functional areas to improve service, productivity, and internal feedback / responsiveness among your peers. **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** There is ease of task flow communication among interdisciplinary departments with minimal impact to productivity. ### 17. Amazon Simple Workflow - Simply Works **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Marketing and Advertising | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 29, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** Amazon Simple Workflow lets you program in any language. **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** It is a bit difficult to learn but at the end of the day it served its purpose. **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** Amazon Simple Workflow Service helped us with our video encoding. Now instead of having to worry about the encoding we can focus on video quality and production. ### 18. AWS for the win **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Financial Services | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 28, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** Ease of use and simplistic attributes allows users and admins alike to navigate easier and faster. **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** Would like to see more notification ability and stronger adaptations for encrypted materials **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** Housing a support service portal. ### 19. Amazon simple workflow services aids in easy data programming management **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Research | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 14, 2019 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** I like the ease of use that comes with the user interface. **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** I dislike the price for the upper tier AWS requirements. **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** The user interface and management service allows for easier management of programming work across different application components. ### 20. Extensive user of AWS SWF **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Medical Devices | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 12, 2017 **What do you like best about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** Simple and 99.99999% reliable. Easy to use with nodes on prem or in cloud. good monitoring via AWS Console **What do you dislike about Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)?** limits sometimes driving me nuts. It is quite hard to rise limits and usually takes a week of talk with AWS Support. **Recommendations to others considering Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF):** If you need simple BPM like engine but without overpaying for nothing, this is a great tool. Highly recommend. **What problems is Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) solving and how is that benefiting you?** We have bunch of different workflows and automatic stations works in cloud and on prem. - [View Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-simple-workflow-service-swf/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-05-24+03%3A33%3A03+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=7a8c0ef1-cddf-4b37-a5a1-8439f681bc0c&secure%5Btoken%5D=64fb38d1cf3ded25992f948c79b3cda68a958869867b57fcbf1e952ef58840c7&format=llm_user) ## Top Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF) Alternatives - [pgAdmin](https://www.g2.com/products/pgadmin/reviews) - 4.1/5.0 (70 reviews) - [Firstbase](https://www.g2.com/products/firstbase-firstbase/reviews) - 4.8/5.0 (50 reviews) - [IBM Cloud Bare Metal Servers](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-cloud-bare-metal-servers/reviews) - 4.0/5.0 (28 reviews)