Cassidy vs Microsoft Copilot: AI Automation vs Microsoft 365 Assistant

AI Automation Platform Comparison

Today, stitching together integrations isn’t enough. Teams need automation that actually have human-level judgement: saving time, reducing complexity, and boosting productivity through AI. Two platforms often mentioned in this space are cassidyai.com and n8n.io. While both can help automate workflows, there’s a lot that is not possible with any other tool than Cassidy.

Check out the table below for a quick comparison, then read on to learn why Cassidy stands out for true AI-powered automation.

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AI-Driven vs. General Automation

The biggest difference? Cassidy is built for AI-first automation, while n8n.io simply adds AI as an option.

n8n.io is a general workflow tool—it moves data, triggers tasks, and connects apps. AI isn’t embedded; it’s something you manually add by configuring external APIs like OpenAI, setting up prompts, and managing responses. It’s flexible, but requires technical work to make AI useful.

Cassidy, by contrast, has AI built into every workflow. Its Knowledge Base gives AI instant access to your company’s data, so automations don’t just run—they understand, generate content, and improve over time. AI in Cassidy isn’t an add-on; it’s the foundation of how the platform works.

If you need AI-powered automation that works immediately—without complex setup—Cassidy is the clear choice.

Cassidy is Built for Non-Technical Users—n8n.io is Not

Unlike n8n.io, which requires technical setup, Cassidy is built for anyone to create AI-powered workflows—no coding, no APIs, no complexity.

With Cassidy, non-technical teams can build their own AI-driven tools, whether it’s:
✅ Submitting an RFP and having Cassidy generate responses automatically
✅ Creating AI-driven sales outreach with contextual lead insights
✅ Automating customer support with AI that understands and responds

These workflows aren’t even possible in n8n.io without heavy technical work. n8n.io is a developer tool, requiring manual setup and API connections, while Cassidy lets anyone build intelligent automations in minutes.

Knowledge Base as the AI Foundation

Cassidy’s Knowledge Base isn’t just a document store—it’s what makes its AI powerful. Every workflow and AI Assistant learns from and contributes to your business data, meaning automations get smarter over time.

In contrast, n8n.io doesn’t have a knowledge base. You can connect it to data sources, but each workflow step has to manually fetch and process information—nothing is remembered or optimized automatically. This means AI in n8n lacks context and must be reconfigured whenever you want it to "know" something new.

With Cassidy, AI instantly understands your business and improves with every interaction.

Workflows: Embedded AI vs. AI as an Add-On

The way Cassidy and n8n handle workflows isn’t just different—it completely changes what’s possible with automation.

With Cassidy, AI isn’t just a step in the workflow—it’s embedded into every part of it. Each workflow can access and contribute to the Knowledge Base, meaning automations don’t just execute tasks, they learn and improve over time. For example, if Cassidy automates a customer support response, it doesn’t just pull data—it updates the Knowledge Base with new insights so that future responses are even more accurate.

In n8n.io, AI is always external. Every step that needs intelligence must call an outside AI model, wait for a response, and store data separately. This slows down workflows and requires manual upkeep.

With Cassidy, workflows become smarter with time—n8n workflows stay static. If you want true AI-powered automation, Cassidy delivers intelligence at every step.

AI Assistants: More Than Just Workflows

Not every task needs a workflow. Sometimes, a real-time AI assistant is better—and Cassidy is the only platform that offers both.

Cassidy’s AI Assistants can be deployed in Slack, Teams, Chrome, embedded in apps, or accessed via API. These assistants help teams instantly—answering questions, generating responses, and pulling data from your Knowledge Base in real time.

Examples:

• Slack and Teams Assistant: Instantly answers sales, support, or HR questions using company knowledge.
• Chrome AI Assistant: Reads webpages, drafts emails, and summarizes content while you work.

n8n.io doesn’t offer assistants at all. If you wanted something similar, you’d need to manually build a chatbot, integrate AI, and set up custom API calls—a major technical lift.

With Cassidy, you get workflows + real-time assistants, so you can choose the best tool for the job.

Critical user-level permissions for Enterprises

When enterprise leaders consider automation tools, security and granular permissioning often top the list of requirements. Cassidy places heavy emphasis on this, offering advanced user-level permissions, plus the concept of “Collections” in its knowledge base. Collections let you compartmentalize data so that certain teams only have access to the relevant documentation. Even Cassidy’s AI assistants can be restricted to certain Collections, preventing them from ever pulling data they’re not authorized to see.

n8n.io, in contrast, has limited built-in security. While self-hosting is an option, managing user access, permissions, and data controls is left to the business—requiring extra setup and maintenance.

For companies that need tight security and AI-driven automation, Cassidy is the enterprise-ready solution.

Replacing vs. Connecting Tools

With Cassidy, teams often find themselves replacing or consolidating software solutions. Because the platform can draft proposals, reply to support tickets, and even manage entire AI-driven processes, it reduces the need for multiple point solutions. For example, a Cassidy workflow might handle an RFP from end to end: extracting questions from a spreadsheet, generating responses based on past proposals, and compiling everything into a final document for review. The same platform can then integrate with your CRM to enrich new leads, or automate sentiment-based ticket triaging for your support team.

N8n, while powerful at linking different apps into multi-step workflows, doesn’t intrinsically generate content or function as a knowledge repository. Instead, it’s best at connecting tools you already use—perhaps orchestrating that data across Slack, CRMs, or email. If your primary goal is to unify third-party services in custom sequences, n8n is a viable option. But if you’re looking to outsource entire tasks to AI—like drafting detailed documents or summing up complex data sets—Cassidy offers a more direct path.

Why Cassidy for AI Automation?

Enterprises need more than just triggers and actions; they need intelligent processes that tap into business knowledge, interpret context, and communicate seamlessly across departments. Cassidy is designed for exactly that. Its user-friendly, no-code environment ensures that even non-technical teams can harness AI power, backed by secure, granular permissioning to protect sensitive information. Most importantly, Cassidy doesn’t just handle tasks—it excels at producing context-driven content and responses, often replacing entire tools your team currently relies on.

For businesses that primarily need custom data pipelines or already have a robust AI strategy in place, n8n.io is a capable workflow builder. However, if your organization wants to run full-fledged AI automations—and do so quickly, without the hassle of stitching together multiple AI services—Cassidy is the stronger, more future-proof choice.

Ready to experience Cassidy firsthand? Book a demo today to see how an AI-first automation platform can unify knowledge, streamline processes, and transform the way your teams work.

This might be the biggest opportunity in AI right now: take your industry expertise, apply new AI knowledge, and become the AI expert in your industry.

See, a recent McKinsey report stated that AI adoption in the workplace has actually remained stagnant from 2021 to 2023.

I believe that’s because most people have a general understanding of AI, but they have no idea how to use it in their specific industry. There’s a huge opportunity to become the person who shows people how to apply AI to your industry. Focus on teaching use cases actually relevant to their daily work.

The more niche you get, the bigger impact you can have.

How do you become the AI expert in your industry?

First, position yourself as the "AI Person" at your company. Share your learnings and experiments with colleagues and other people in your industry.

There's no shortage of people looking to make their lives easier. Start by helping those around you.

To take it a step further, share your insights online.

You know I love TikTok, but it doesn’t matter which platform you choose. TikTok, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, whatever. The steps are simple.

1. Learn about AI
2. Use it in your industry
3. Share online how you’re doing that.
4. Repeat for months-years

If your content is helpful and you do it for long enough, you’ll start to be seen as the AI expert for your industry. You'll have the opportunity to make a significant impact by applying the power of AI to address specific problems within your field.

Remember: every industry needs an AI expert, you can be it.

The future of sales is not a distant vision; it's unfolding in real-time, driven by AI's capability to refine and personalize every interaction.

At Cassidy, we're at the forefront of this evolution with contextual automation—a method that doesn't just look to the future but actively shapes the present. By leveraging this technology, sales teams today must embrace AI not only to keep pace but to lead in an already transformed market.

Our platform ensures your sales strategy is not just reactive but proactive, turning every sales challenge into an opportunity. Let's delve into how AI is already making a difference, in the sales world, and how tools like Cassidy can help you every step of the way.

Prepare and Research Meeting Invitees Before Sales Calls

Walking into a sales call unprepared is no longer an option. Cassidy’s AI-powered workflows ensure your team is equipped with detailed, actionable insights about meeting invitees before every call. This workflow does the heavy lifting for you by gathering data like company overviews, recent company news, and detailed information about the invitees.

Cassidy’s AI even dives into LinkedIn profiles to provide a comprehensive look at the organization and its stakeholders. All this information is compiled into a shareable document that can be accessed by your entire team, ensuring everyone is aligned and prepared. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with your calendar tools, so you have everything ready to go before the meeting starts.

For example, before a call, Cassidy can provide a summary of the prospect’s recent achievements or challenges, helping your team tailor the conversation and demonstrate value from the first interaction. It’s an all-in-one preparation tool that sets your sales calls up for success.

Deal Tracking Efficiency

Sales teams often struggle with the time-consuming task of sifting through vast amounts of data to find relevant customer information. That's where Cassidy's workflows come in, allowing you to pull up all the details on a customer or a deal in just seconds, thanks to AI.

This feature enables you and your team to instantly search through records, helping to get right to the point, personalize your approach, and keep the sales process moving smoothly. It's like having a super-efficient assistant dedicated to making your life easier.

For example, before calling a client, you can quickly search for their name in the system. Within seconds, you'll have access to their purchase history, recent interactions, and any notes from previous meetings, allowing you to tailor your conversation effectively.

Find Key Decision-Makers to Multithread Sales Deals

Finding the right decision-makers can be the difference between closing a deal and letting it slip away. Cassidy’s simplifies the process by identifying key stakeholders and influencers within a target organization.

Instead of manually researching or guessing who holds decision-making power, Cassidy analyzes CRM data, email communications, and external sources to provide you with a clear map of key players. This enables your team to craft targeted messages that resonate with each stakeholder, streamlining the sales process.

For example, if a deal involves multiple departments, Cassidy highlights which contacts to prioritize and how to address their specific concerns. This insight empowers your team to build stronger connections and accelerate deals without unnecessary delays.

Automatically Enrich New Leads

Finding and understanding new leads can be a daunting task, often requiring extensive research to gather all the necessary details. With Cassidy's AI, this process is automated, allowing you and your team to instantly enrich new leads with relevant information.

By integrating with various data sources, Cassidy's workflows automatically add valuable insights like job titles, company details, and contact information to your CRM. This feature ensures that when you engage with a new lead, you're equipped with a comprehensive profile, enabling more personalized and effective outreach.

For instance, when a new lead enters your system, instead of manually searching for their background, the AI enriches their profile, providing you with the context to tailor your communication, thereby improving conversion rates and enhancing your sales strategy's efficiency.

Streamline Team Responses with Verified Answers

Consistency and accuracy are crucial when responding to client questions, especially during RFP processes. Cassidy’s Answer Hub ensures that your team always delivers approved, verified responses to common queries, saving time and boosting credibility.

This feature centralizes all your organization’s approved answers in one place, making it easy for reps to find and share the right information instantly. No more scrambling to verify details or waiting on approvals—Cassidy’s AI ensures that everyone on your team is aligned.

So if you're ever in a situation where a client requests specific technical details or compliance information, reps can quickly search the Answer Hub to pull up the correct response, ensuring accuracy and consistency in their communication. This not only speeds up the sales process but also builds trust with clients, showing that your team is organized and dependable.

Automatically Transcribe, Save, and Query Meeting Notes

After a sales meeting, capturing and organizing notes can be time-consuming, often leading to missed insights or follow-up opportunities. Cassidy's AI simplifies this by automatically transcribing, saving, and enabling you to query meeting notes.

This feature ensures that all discussions, decisions, and action items from your meetings are recorded without manual effort. You and your team can then easily search through these notes for specific details or follow-ups, enhancing your ability to recall important points and personalize future interactions.

For example, post-meeting, the AI transcribes the conversation, saving it in your system where you can later ask for information like "What was the client's concern about pricing?" or "What follow-up was promised?" This automation not only saves time but also ensures that no detail is lost, making your sales process more organized and responsive.

Create Personalized Cold Emails that Stand Out

Cold emails are only effective when they feel anything but cold. Cassidy’s AI leverages LinkedIn insights, CRM data, and other sources to create hyper-personalized emails that capture attention and increase response rates.

The workflow analyzes key details about your prospect, like their role, company updates, and recent achievements, and crafts tailored outreach messages that feel authentic. For example, instead of sending a generic “just checking in” email, Cassidy generates a message that highlights the recipient’s recent LinkedIn activity or a relevant company milestone, positioning your sales team as informed and relatable.

Even better, Cassidy’s AI ensures these personalized emails are ready to send with minimal effort, saving your team valuable time while maintaining a high-touch approach. With smarter, data-driven outreach, you can turn cold leads into engaged prospects.

Personalize Sales Meeting Follow-Up Emails

The follow-up after a sales meeting can make or break the relationship. Cassidy’s AI ensures every follow-up email feels thoughtful, relevant, and timely, keeping the momentum going with your prospects.

This workflow uses meeting notes, CRM data, and insights from the conversation to draft tailored emails that highlight key discussion points, address objections, and outline next steps. For example, if pricing was a concern during the meeting, Cassidy’s AI suggests a follow-up email that includes a breakdown of value-add features or a link to relevant case studies.

The tool also automates the process, saving your sales team time while maintaining a high level of personalization. With smarter follow-ups, Cassidy helps your team stay top-of-mind and move deals forward faster.

Auto-Completing Security Questionnaires

Navigating through security questionnaires can be a significant hurdle in finalizing sales, often requiring extensive time and expertise to complete accurately. With Cassidy's AI, this process is streamlined, enabling you and your team to auto-complete these questionnaires with ease.

By integrating with your existing security documents, knowledge base, and other resources, Cassidy's workflows automatically fill in the answers, ensuring compliance and accuracy. This feature turns what could be a laborious task into a swift operation, allowing you to focus on closing deals rather than paperwork.

For example, when a new security questionnaire is required, instead of manually searching for responses, the AI quickly pulls the necessary information, completing the form in seconds. This efficiency not only speeds up the sales process but also reduces the risk of errors, making your sales cycle smoother and more secure.

Give Sales Team the Ability to Answer Technical Questions

Handling technical questions doesn’t have to be exclusive to engineers or IT specialists. Cassidy’s AI bridges the gap by enabling non-technical support and sales reps to confidently answer complex technical inquiries.

This feature pulls from your company’s existing knowledge base, integrating seamlessly with tools like Notion, Jira, Confluence, and internal wikis to provide accurate, approved responses in seconds. For example, when a prospect asks a detailed question about product integration or security protocols, Cassidy’s AI suggests the right answer instantly, saving time and preventing delays.

This workflow also ensures responses are aligned with RFP standards and company-approved language, reducing the risk of errors or miscommunication. By equipping your team with these tools, Cassidy enables everyone to contribute to technical discussions without requiring deep expertise, improving responsiveness and fostering trust with prospects.

Use Cassidy to help boost your Sales Performance

Ready to see how Cassidy can transform your sales strategy, streamline workflows, and help your team close deals faster? Start your journey with Cassidy today and experience the future of sales firsthand. Try for free today

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