About Relay.app
I recently dove into Relay.app, a tool that’s trying to blend AI workflow automation with human oversight, and I must say, it’s an interesting concept. The standout feature is its ability to incorporate manual approval steps into automated processes. This means you can set up a workflow that’s powered by AI—think tasks like summarising documents or generating images—but still have a human in the loop to approve critical decisions. This is perfect for teams that need to ensure quality control without sacrificing efficiency. For instance, I could set up a workflow to generate social media posts and then have a colleague approve or tweak them before they go live. This mix of speed and oversight could be a lifesaver for creative teams who want to maintain a voice while speeding up content production.
What really impressed me was the flexibility in creating workflows. Relay.app allows for branching paths based on conditions, which means you can easily manage different outcomes. You might have one branch of a workflow that generates a report if certain criteria are met, while another branch could send a notification to a team member if they’re not. This could be particularly useful in project management, where tasks often diverge based on progress or feedback. Plus, the integration with over 100 tools like Slack and Notion means you can pull in data from various platforms, which is a significant plus if your team is already spread across multiple systems.
Now let’s talk pricing, because that’s where things get a bit tricky. Relay.app offers a freemium model, which is great for dipping your toes in—200 steps a month and 500 AI credits are decent for casual users. But if you’re looking to go professional, that’ll set you back $19 a month, which is reasonable if you’re using it regularly. However, if you’re in a team of ten, you’ll need to opt for the Team plan, and while it’s custom-priced, you might want to prepare for a bit of sticker shock if your organisation is larger. In my experience, the free tier is genuinely useful, but it could easily hit a wall if you’re trying to automate multiple tasks.
Who should use Relay.app? It’s perfect for creative professionals and project managers who need intelligent automation without losing human oversight. On the flip side, if you’re a solo freelancer who doesn’t need complex workflows, the learning curve might not be worth it for you. Similarly, if your tasks are straightforward and don’t require much oversight, there are simpler automation tools that might serve you better. Overall, Relay.app is a promising tool that strikes an interesting balance between automation and control, but it’s not without its limitations.
Our Review
Verified 11 May 2026Reviewed by Delv Editorial, Delv Team
My experience with Relay.app has been quite enlightening, and I must admit, it’s a refreshing take on workflow automation. At first glance, the concept of combining AI with human oversight seems like a no-brainer, but in practice, it’s executed quite well. The ability to incorporate manual approvals into automated workflows sets Relay.app apart from other automation tools. I was particularly drawn to the idea of creating a workflow for generating social media posts, which I could then send to a colleague for approval. This feature could save a lot of back-and-forth emails, allowing for a more streamlined process.
What I found particularly useful was the branching path feature within workflows. This allows you to create different outcomes based on specific conditions, which is essential for project management scenarios. For instance, if a project task is completed, you could set it to notify a team member or generate a report based on the results. This flexibility is something I’ve not seen in many other automation tools, and it could be a real time-saver for teams juggling multiple projects.
However, not everything is sunshine and rainbows. The freemium model is a double-edged sword; while it's great for testing, I quickly hit the limits of the free tier when trying to explore multiple workflows. If you have a large team or complex needs, you’re likely going to need to shell out for the Professional plan, which, at $19 per month, isn’t too bad but still adds up if you’re managing costs. For smaller teams or freelancers, this could feel a bit steep, especially if you don’t need the extensive features.
When stacked against competitors like Zapier or Integromat, Relay.app does have a unique angle with its human-in-the-loop approach, but it also brings a level of complexity that might not be necessary for everyone. If you’re a marketing team that needs to vet content or a project manager looking to ensure quality control, Relay.app is definitely worth a look. However, if your needs are more straightforward, you may find simpler solutions that do the job without the added layers.
In conclusion, Relay.app is a compelling tool that marries the efficiency of AI with the necessary oversight of human input. It’s not perfect, but it fills a niche that’s often overlooked in automation. If you’re part of a creative team that values quality and efficiency, you’ll likely find Relay.app a valuable addition to your toolkit. Just be mindful of the pricing structure and ensure it aligns with your needs before jumping in.
Getting started with Relay.app
In this guide, you will learn how to set up Relay.app and create your first automated workflow with human oversight. By the end, you'll be able to automate tasks while keeping manual approval steps in place.
Step 1: Sign up and set up
Step 2: Your first workflow
Step 3: Get better results
Pro tip
Take advantage of the Templates feature. Relay.app offers pre-built workflows that you can customise, saving you time in setting up repetitive tasks.
Common mistake to avoid
Avoid skipping the testing phase. Always test your workflow after creation to ensure that both the AI actions and manual approval steps function as intended. This will help prevent errors when the workflow is live.
The Verdict
Relay.app is a solid choice for teams that need a blend of AI efficiency and human oversight. It excels in creative workflows where quality control is essential. However, smaller teams or freelancers might want to consider simpler alternatives to avoid getting bogged down by complexity and costs.
Best For
- Creative teams that require quality control in automated processes
- Project managers needing flexible workflows for task management
- Marketing teams looking to automate content generation with oversight
- Freelancers who want to streamline client projects while ensuring quality
- Small to medium-sized businesses that can benefit from integrated automation
At a Glance
Relay.app offers a unique blend of AI workflow automation and human oversight, allowing users to incorporate manual approval steps into their processes. With features like branching workflows and integrations with over 100 tools, it’s perfect for teams that need to maintain control while speeding up productivity. However, the pricing structure may be a hurdle for larger teams seeking extensive use.
Strengths
- +The human-in-the-loop feature ensures that critical decisions are vetted, which is essential for maintaining quality in automated processes.
- +With branching paths in workflows, users can easily adapt their processes based on different scenarios, making it incredibly flexible for project management.
- +Integration with over 100 tools like Slack and Notion means you can create a cohesive workflow that pulls data from various platforms, saving time and effort.
- +The freemium model allows users to start for free, giving them the chance to explore the platform without any financial commitment.
- +Relay.app supports advanced AI models like GPT and Claude, which can handle a variety of tasks, from translation to image generation, enhancing its utility.
- +The user interface is clean and intuitive, making it relatively easy to set up workflows even for those who might not be tech-savvy.
Limitations
- -The free tier, while useful, can quickly become limiting if you have multiple workflows running, potentially pushing users to upgrade sooner than they might like.
- -The Professional plan at $19/month might not be cost-effective for smaller teams or freelancers who don't need extensive automation features.
- -While the tool has a solid feature set, it might feel overwhelming for users who are just looking for simple automation solutions without the added complexity of human oversight.
- -The reliance on manual approvals can slow down processes that could otherwise be fully automated, which might frustrate teams looking for speed.
- -Some users might find the learning curve steep when trying to utilise all features effectively, especially if they are not familiar with workflow automation.
Use Cases
- -Marketing teams can automate social media post generation while having a team member approve the final content for brand consistency.
- -Freelance project managers can set up workflows that notify clients for approvals at each stage of project completion, ensuring transparency and control.
- -Content creators can use Relay.app to generate articles and have an editor review the AI-generated content before publication.
- -Event coordinators can automate RSVP confirmations while allowing a team member to review and approve guest lists based on predefined criteria.
- -Sales teams can create automated follow-up email sequences with manual approval steps to ensure each communication aligns with the company’s tone.








