Managing approvals in Confluence can often be a tedious challenge, but with the right tools, it doesn’t have to be. Teams need an approval solution that’s not just fast and reliable, but also blends effortlessly into the way they already work—saving time and reducing headaches.

In this comparison, we’ll dive deep into Capable Approval for Confluence, highlighting its strengths, key features, and the ways it helps streamline approval workflows. From simplified request management to intuitive integration with your existing Confluence setup, Capable Approval is designed to make the entire process smoother and more efficient.

We'll explore how Capable Approval stands out in areas like ease of use, customization options, and collaborative feedback features that bring context directly into your approval process. Whether you’re aiming to improve visibility, reduce manual steps, or ensure nothing slips through the cracks, this solution has you covered.

By the end, you might just discover why Capable Approval could be the game-changing tool your team has been looking for—one that can empower your team to focus less on bureaucracy and more on getting things done.

Disclaimer:

Jack, the founder of Capable, authored Approvals for Confluence while working at AppFox.

With Capable Approval, we’ve introduced a fresh approach tailored to modern teams, built on the secure and advanced Atlassian Forge platform—offering improved security and functionality beyond legacy solutions.

Our focus on continuous improvement sets us apart. By listening to our users and anticipating their needs, we’re proud to offer a tool that evolves alongside today’s fast-paced work environment.

Overview: What Each Tool Offers

AppFox Approvals for Confluence

This app, on the other hand, simplifies document review and approval with easy setup, integrated status tracking, and customizable approval settings. However, it lacks the attention to UX design, resulting in an outdated interface that can feel clunky and less intuitive.

Built on the older 🕸️ Atlassian Connect framework, it may not meet the modern security standards expected by many teams today.

While it aims to provide a straightforward solution with macro-based approval options for pages and sections, the absence of UX-focused design makes navigation and usability less refined.

Capable Approval for Confluence

Designed to streamline the approval process, offering features like Slack and email notifications, expiration dates, centralized approval tracking, and user-friendly approval macros.

Thoughtfully crafted with a modern, intuitive UX, Capable Approval makes content management straightforward and efficient, ensuring every feature is clear and easy to navigate.

Built on the latest ⭐️ Atlassian Forge framework, Capable Approval is tailored to fit Confluence users' needs securely, making the approval process seamless and adaptable to different workflows.

Key Features Comparison

1. ✅ Workflow, Comments and Suggestions

AppFox Approvals for Confluence

This app allows users to request approvals for entire pages or specific sections.

However, it does not support adding comments, limiting communication flexibility. Additionally, rejections are only based on a quorum system, lacking the option to specify a particular number of rejections needed to reject the page fully.

It also lacks the functionality of abstaining from an approval, but leaving a comment.

Capable Approval for Confluence

Approval requests can be made directly from Confluence pages, with smart user suggestions to quickly assign the right reviewers.

Team members can leave comments without necessarily approving or rejecting, adding valuable context to discussions without committing a decision.

Flexible approval settings allow for a configurable rejection threshold, enabling teams to set specific numbers of rejections required to decline a request.

🏆 Winner: Capable Approval for Confluence

Capable Approval empowers users to leave comments alongside their approval or rejection responses, adding valuable context and fostering clearer communication within the review process. This feature, absent in AppFox Approvals, makes Capable Approval the superior choice for teams that prioritize collaborative feedback and transparency in decision-making.

2. 🔔 Notifications and Alerts

AppFox Approvals for Confluence

Notification options are primarily email-based, which works well but may fall short compared to Slack’s more immediate visibility.

Notifications include links to Confluence pages for easy access but may not support more customized notification workflows.

Capable Approval for Confluence

Real-time Slack and email notifications keep everyone updated on approval statuses without needing to manually check Confluence.

Notifications are customizable to fit the workflow, ensuring that team members are only alerted when necessary.

🏆 Winner: Capable Approval for Confluence

Capable Approval keeps teams seamlessly updated with both Slack and email notifications, preventing inbox overload and ensuring timely updates. Built for modern 2024 workflows, this feature stands in contrast to AppFox Approval’s outdated, email-only notifications, making Capable Approval the superior choice for teams seeking efficient, streamlined communication.

3. 📊 Centralized Tracking & Approval Expiration

AppFox Approval for Confluence

Integrated approval search functionality provides a convenient way to track the status of all approvals within Confluence.

However, it lacks a centralized dashboard that gathers all relevant information in one place, making it slightly harder to gain a full overview.

Capable Approval for Confluence

The Approval Dashboard is a powerful tool for managing all approval requests in one centralized location.

Users can set expiration dates to avoid stagnant approvals, maintaining momentum across projects and ensuring deadlines are met.

🏆 Winner: Capable Approval for Confluence

Capable Approval provides an intuitive dashboard that allows users to quickly locate pending tasks, streamlining the approval process and enhancing productivity. In contrast, AppFox Approvals offers a limited and cumbersome search feature, making it harder for users to find what they need efficiently. Capable Approval is the clear choice for teams that value ease of use and effective task management.

4. ⚙️ Macro and Customization Features

AppFox Approvals for Confluence

Their section approval macro lets users set up content approvals for specific parts of a Confluence page.

This is great for more targeted approvals, but configuration options such as expiration controls and thresholds are not as flexible as Capable’s offerings.

Capable Approval for Confluence

With embedded status macros, users can track approvals on the Confluence page itself, or insert an audit log for full transparency.

Expiration dates can be set directly on pages, and approval thresholds can be configured to match the specific requirements of any project.

🏆 Winner: Capable Approval for Confluence

Capable Approval offers multiple macros for status, version history, and responses, giving teams the flexibility to manage approvals with clarity and detail. In contrast, AppFox Approvals relies on a single, limited macro, restricting customization and functionality. Capable Approval stands out as the superior choice for teams that need versatile tools to streamline their workflows.

5. 📝 Audit Trails & Accountability

AppFox Approvals for Confluence

The app provides an overall status for approval and has an audit log, but it is combined across all page versions, making tracking what happens difficult.

It lacks a dedicated audit macro that embeds this information directly into Confluence pages, which could make tracking individual decisions less immediate.

Capable Approval for Confluence

Integrated audit trails keep the entire process transparent and accountable.

Detailed records allow users to see every comment, approval, or rejection, and track rejections based on custom thresholds.

You can embed the comments, audit log and status as macros in your Confluence pages and add these to templates to have them appear exactly where you want them from the get-go!

🏆 Winner: Capable Approval for Confluence

Capable Approval includes the ability to leave comments and provides a version-focused audit log, allowing teams to track changes with detailed context and accountability. In contrast, AppFox Approval offers only a basic event list, limiting insight and transparency. For teams prioritizing thorough tracking and clear communication, Capable Approval is the superior choice.

Side-by-Side Feature Comparison Table

Feature	Approval for Confluence (Capable)	Approvals for Confluence (AppFox)
UI	✅ Modern, with approver suggestions	❌ Old and clunky
Comments	✅ Yes	❌ No
Smart Suggestions	✅ Yes	❌ No
Centralized Dashboard	✅ Yes	❌ No
Notifications	✅ Slack & Email	⚠️ Email Only
Platform	✅ Atlassian Forge (most secure)	⚠️ Atlassian Connect (less secure)
Expiration Dates	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Embedded Macros	✅ Status, Audit Log, Response Macros	⚠️ 1 Limited Macro
Audit Trails	✅ Yes, with macro and comments	⚠️ History only

Why Capable Approval for Confluence Stands Out

Capable Approval for Confluence goes beyond simple document approvals—it’s designed to enhance your entire workflow. Built with user experience as a top priority, Capable Approval leverages customer feedback to deliver an intuitive, powerful tool for modern teams. With features like seamless Slack integration, a centralized dashboard, embedded audit logs, and enhanced security through the Atlassian Forge platform, Capable Approval is adaptable, efficient, and secure. These features not only save time but also improve transparency and data safety, addressing the needs of today’s agile teams.

In comparison, while AppFox Approvals for Confluence provides a basic, easy-to-use solution, it lacks the UX sophistication and flexibility needed for larger teams or more complex workflows. Its outdated interface, built on the older Atlassian Connect framework, feels clunky and less intuitive, making it harder for teams to navigate and manage approvals effectively. With limited customization options and no built-in Slack integration, AppFox Approvals may not meet the modern standards expected by today’s users.

Capable Approval directly addresses the limitations of traditional approval tools, offering thoughtful features like customizable Slack notifications, approval expiration management, and a streamlined, user-friendly interface designed for clarity and ease. Our product’s centralized dashboard and embedded audit logs empower teams to have greater control over their processes, ensuring accountability and a smooth user experience.

Capable Approval also provides exceptional value, especially for smaller teams, as it’s completely free for up to 10 users. Larger teams benefit from the comprehensive Capable for Confluence toolkit—a versatile, all-in-one solution designed to meet the diverse needs of Confluence users. For teams that need robust functionality, modern design, and adaptability, Capable Approval is the clear choice.

Conclusion: Make the Smart Choice for Your Team

Selecting the right approval tool can transform your workflow from cumbersome and manual to seamless and efficient. With Capable Approval for Confluence, you’re choosing a feature-rich, intuitive solution that keeps teams aligned, saves time, and ensures accountability at every step.

If your team needs an approval tool that’s easy to navigate, offers powerful customization options, and integrates deeply into your Confluence workflows, Capable Approval is the clear choice. Built for the needs of today’s dynamic teams, it provides unmatched value for groups of all sizes, from small teams to large enterprises.