If you’ve been using SharePoint Designer to build workflows, customize forms, or automate processes in SharePoint, you’re likely aware that Microsoft has deprecated the tool and halted its development. As a result, organizations still relying on SharePoint Designer are now facing a critical question: what’s the best alternative to SharePoint Designer?
In this post, we’ll explore the must-have features to look for in a SharePoint Designer replacement—and why NITRO Studio stands out as the top alternative to SharePoint Designer.
What to Look for in an Alternative to SharePoint Designer
Before jumping into a new solution, it’s essential to define the core capabilities your organization depends on. A true replacement for SharePoint Designer should offer:
1. Advanced Workflow Automation
SharePoint Designer was widely used for creating custom workflows. An alternative should not only match but enhance this capability with:
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Drag-and-drop workflow builders
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Integration with Microsoft 365
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Conditional logic, approvals, and escalations
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Support for modern platforms (SharePoint Online, Teams, Power Platform)
2. Custom Form Design
You need full control over your SharePoint forms. A good replacement must include:
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Responsive, modern UI
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Conditional fields and formatting
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Integration with lookup lists and related items
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Easy form publishing without code
3. No-Code/Low-Code Customization
A powerful SharePoint Designer alternative should empower business users and IT admins alike to build and maintain solutions without relying heavily on developers.
4. Modern SharePoint Compatibility
Your new tool must support SharePoint Online, Microsoft 365, and hybrid environments, with a roadmap for the future of the Microsoft ecosystem.
5. Ease of Use and Support
You want an intuitive interface, detailed documentation, and responsive support. Transitioning away from SharePoint Designer should be smooth—not a tech headache.
Why NITRO Studio Is the Best Alternative to SharePoint Designer
NITRO Studio, developed by Crow Canyon Software, checks all the boxes above and then goes further. Built specifically for Microsoft 365 and SharePoint environments, NITRO Studio brings together the power of automation, form design, and no-code tools into one modern platform.
Here’s what makes NITRO Studio the best alternative to SharePoint Designer:
✅ Visual Workflow Designer
Build complex, multi-stage workflows with a drag-and-drop interface. NITRO Studio includes support for triggers, timers, loops, branching logic, and external system integration.
✅ Powerful Forms Designer
Create responsive, mobile-friendly forms using NITRO’s intuitive form builder. Add tabs, sections, conditional visibility, lookup fields, and data validations—all without writing code.
✅ Seamless SharePoint Integration
NITRO Studio is built natively on SharePoint and Microsoft 365, meaning you don’t need to switch platforms or adopt a separate ecosystem. It works directly within your current SharePoint environment—whether online or on-premises.
✅ Built-In AI & Automation Tools
With features like NITRO Copilot, the platform introduces AI into your business processes. Automate ticket responses, summarize tasks, and enhance document intelligence with cutting-edge AI capabilities.
✅ Enterprise-Ready & Affordable
Unlike Power Automate or other tools that often incur high per-user costs, NITRO Studio offers flat-rate pricing, which can lead to substantial cost savings over time.
Real-World Impact: Efficiency and ROI
According to Forrester, organizations that embrace process automation platforms can see up to a 74% reduction in process completion time and a 15% boost in employee productivity. NITRO Studio helps organizations realize these gains by streamlining operations, reducing reliance on outdated tools like SharePoint Designer, and enabling faster solution development.
Crow Canyon’s customers have replaced thousands of legacy workflows and forms built in SharePoint Designer with NITRO Studio—and they often report faster implementation times and higher user satisfaction as a result.
Ready to Move On from SharePoint Designer?
As SharePoint Designer fades into the past, it’s time to embrace a modern, powerful alternative that sets your organization up for the future. NITRO Studio offers everything you need—workflow automation, custom forms, AI features, and tight SharePoint integration—making it the leading alternative to SharePoint Designer.
Don’t just replace SharePoint Designer—upgrade your entire process.
