IFTTT

IFTTT connects apps, services, and devices through Applets, making it a good fit for people who want to automate everyday connections without coding. Its broad integration library and mobile tools are strengths; the two-Applet free cap makes the paid tiers more relevant once a setup grows.

Overview

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, IFTTT describes itself as a low-code way for apps and services to communicate. Applets automate actions across two or more services, and the library includes more than 1,000 apps, services, and devices. That breadth gives users many potential connections, but its practical value depends on whether the services behind a routine are supported.

Examples on the Explore page include Spotify, Evernote, Todoist, Google Sheets, Android, and Philips Hue. IFTTT supports app triggers and scheduled runs. Basic use does not require coding, which suits straightforward automations; users seeking more involved control will need the advanced tools in Pro+.

Key features

Applet limits and automation

The Free plan allows two Applets, enough for a small set of routines but restrictive for anyone connecting several services. Pro raises the limit to 20 and adds multi-action Applets, so one trigger can lead to several actions. Pro+ allows unlimited Applets and adds queries, filter code, multiple connected accounts per service, and access to IFTTT's Platform. Those controls better suit users who need more than basic trigger-and-action automations.

Mobile, privacy, and activity

IFTTT's iOS and Android apps include mobile-exclusive services and features such as notifications, widgets, and geofencing automations. These make it more useful when a routine depends on a phone's location or mobile activity, rather than only online services.

Most connected services use OAuth, which allows restricted account access without sharing a password with IFTTT. Users can export their IFTTT data as a JSON file or delete their account through account settings. Trigger checks, Applet runs, and errors are logged for seven days; activity feed information is stored for 30 days. Those periods are worth considering if you need to review older automation activity.

Pricing

IFTTT is freemium, with a seven-day trial and paid plans from $2.99/mo. The Free plan costs nothing, billed forever. It includes two Applets, standard Applet speeds, unlimited Applet runs, free mobile app access, and 30-day onboarding support. It is a sensible way to try a couple of routines, but the Applet cap limits its usefulness as a long-term home for a broader setup.

Pro costs $2.99 a month, billed $35.88 billed annually. It includes 20 Applets, fastest Applet speeds, multi-action Applets, Webhooks, increased rate limits, and customer support. It is the more fitting tier for people with multiple smart devices or a need for multi-action automations; the annual billing term matters for buyers comparing its monthly equivalent with the total commitment.

Pro+ costs $8.99 a month, billed $107.88 billed annually. It offers unlimited Applets, AI services, multiple connected accounts, queries and filter code, and prioritized customer support. Small business owners and users of advanced tools are the intended audience. For a modest set of simple routines, its higher price and advanced controls may be unnecessary.

Platforms

IFTTT is available on Android, iOS, and the web, and provides an API. Mobile apps add notifications, widgets, and geofencing automations. The platform range suits users who want a combination of phone-based and web-based routines.

Who it's for

IFTTT is best for people linking everyday apps, services, and smart devices with straightforward automations, especially when mobile features are useful. Pro is a better fit as the number of devices and multi-action needs grow. Pro+ suits small business owners and users who need advanced controls or many Applets. It is less compelling for someone who needs only a couple of simple routines, or whose workflow depends on more elaborate automation logic than the service's basic approach.

Pros and cons

• Pros: A library of more than 1,000 apps, services, and devices creates a wide range of possible connections.
• Pros: Mobile-exclusive services, widgets, notifications, and geofencing support phone-centered automations.
• Pros: Pro adds multi-action Applets, while Pro+ provides unlimited Applets and advanced controls.
• Cons: The Free plan's two-Applet limit restricts users who want to build a larger set of routines.
• Cons: Activity records have short retention windows: seven days for trigger checks, runs, and errors, and 30 days for feed information.
• Cons: Pro and Pro+ are billed annually at $35.88 and $107.88 respectively, so their monthly prices come with an annual commitment.

Alternatives

Consider Make if its free allowance of 1,000 credits per month, two active scenarios, and 15-minute minimum interval better match your workflow. For other options, browse Task Automation Software or Workflow automation tools. Ui.Vision RPA, Macro Recorder, Windmill, Activepieces, Browserflow, MacroDroid, and Zapier are other alternatives to consider.

Verdict

Choose IFTTT if you want a low-code way to connect familiar services and devices, with mobile automations and a clear route from a two-Applet free setup to more capable paid plans. Look elsewhere if the free cap is too small and you do not want an annual paid commitment, or if your needs call for advanced automation beyond the controls in Pro+.