Last updated: 2026-08-25
Founded in 2010, IFTTT is a no-code automation platform that connects 1,000+ apps and smart home devices through trigger-action Applets. Unlike developer-focused rivals, it pairs a consumer-simple setup with native AI Applets for ChatGPT and Claude, plus deep smart-home device support spanning Philips Hue, Google Nest, and Alexa.
About IFTTT
IFTTT (If This Then That) is a no-code automation platform founded in 2010 that lets users connect apps, services, and smart home devices through simple conditional workflows called Applets: when a trigger event happens in one service, an action fires in another. In 2025, IFTTT added AI-powered Applets that generate, summarize, and translate content through ChatGPT and Claude integrations, alongside a reported 20% improvement in Applet execution speed.
The platform runs on iOS, Android, and the web, and reaches into productivity suites (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365), team chat (Slack, Discord), and smart home ecosystems (Philips Hue, Google Nest) alongside webhook and REST API access for developers. IFTTT is strongest at smart home automation, social cross-posting, and simple business workflows for individuals and small teams rather than complex enterprise logic.
Pricing
Free tier with 2 Applets and single trigger/action. 49/month (20 Applets, multi-action, 5-min polling). 49/month with unlimited Applets, advanced filter code, query engine, and multiple accounts per service.
As of 2026, legacy Pro users are migrated to Pro+ on renewal. Enterprise plans available with custom pricing.
| Tier | Monthly price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free indefinitely; 2 Applets limit with single trigger/single action per Applet; polling checks hourly |
| Pro | $2.49/mo | Monthly subscription; 20 Applets maximum; multi-action Applets enabled; faster trigger checks (5 minutes for Pro/Pro+ users vs hourly for Free) |
| Pro+ | $8.49/mo | Monthly subscription; unlimited Applets; advanced filter code support; query engine access; multiple account connections per service; 5-minute trigger polling |
Key Features
- Multi-Action Applets: Create complex workflows with multiple triggers and actions, available on Pro and Pro+ plans, enabling sophisticated automation sequences
- AI-Powered Automation: Native integration with ChatGPT, Claude, and custom AI services for content generation, summarization, translation, and intelligent workflow enhancement
- Filter Code & Query Engine: Advanced customization using filter code and queries (Pro+) to manipulate data, apply conditional logic, and retrieve additional information for tailored automations
- Mobile-First Design: Native iOS and Android apps with location-based triggers, custom notifications, widgets, and Siri/Google Assistant integration for automation on-the-go
- 1,000+ Service Integrations: Connect with popular productivity, social media, smart home, and business tools without building custom APIs or integrations
- Webhooks & Developer Tools: REST API access and webhook support for developers to build custom triggers and actions, with Connect API for embedded experiences
Pros
- Extremely approachable for non-technical users: dragging together a trigger and an action is the whole learning curve.
- The sheer breadth of supported services means most everyday apps and smart home gadgets already have a ready-made Applet.
- Costs far less than business-automation tools like Zapier for anyone who only needs a handful of personal automations.
- Built-in AI Applets tied to ChatGPT and Claude let users automate content tasks without paying for a separate AI subscription.
- Location-based triggers and home-screen widgets make quick manual automations easy even without opening the app first.
Cons
- The free plan is capped at 2 Applets with a single trigger and single action each, which pushes most regular users toward a paid tier fairly quickly.
- Reliability can be inconsistent: third-party integrations occasionally need re-authentication, and some Applets lag or fail silently.
- Filter code, the query engine, and multi-account support are all locked behind Pro+, so complex logic isn't available on cheaper tiers.
- Free-tier limits have shrunk over time (down from 5 Applets to 2), and the old pay-what-you-want legacy plans are gone.
- Support can be slow to respond, with some users reporting long waits and little troubleshooting help for failed Applets.
Data Handling
- Compliance
- SOC 2 · GDPR · ISO 27001 · HIPAA · PCI Compliant · FedRamp · CSA Star Level 1
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you pay for IFTTT?
Free costs nothing but only unlocks 2 Applets, capped at one trigger and one action apiece. Pro ($2.49/month) raises that ceiling to 20 Applets with multi-step support and checks every 5 minutes instead of hourly. Pro+ ($8.49/month) removes the Applet cap entirely and adds filter code, a query engine, and room for several linked accounts per service. Legacy Pro subscribers shift onto Pro+ billing automatically at their next renewal.
Does IFTTT have a free plan?
Yes: the Free plan runs indefinitely with no card required, but it's capped at 2 active Applets, each limited to one trigger and one action. Free Applets also poll hourly, so alerts and actions land slower than on a paid plan. That's enough for a single smart-home routine or one social cross-post rule, but little beyond that.
What are IFTTT's closest competitors?
Zapier offers deeper multi-step workflows across 8,000+ apps but starts at $29.99/month for its Professional tier, making it the pick for business process automation. Make (formerly Integromat) suits users who need visual data mapping between apps at scale. n8n is open-source and self-hostable, better for technical teams who want full control without a monthly SaaS fee. IFTTT stays the simplest and cheapest option for personal and smart-home automation.
What separates IFTTT from Zapier?
Zapier supports far more app integrations than IFTTT's catalog and ships multi-step logic and conditional filters on every paid plan, not just its top tier. Its cheapest paid plan starts at $29.99/month, well above IFTTT's priciest tier. Pick Zapier for business-critical workflows that need dependable execution; pick IFTTT for smart home control and simple personal automations on a tight budget.
How long does it take to get going with IFTTT?
Most first automations take just a few minutes: sign up free at ifttt.com or in the mobile app, then either browse the Applet marketplace for something ready-made or tap Create to build a custom trigger and action. Connecting the two services IFTTT asks for, such as a Google account or a smart plug, activates the Applet right away with no coding involved.
Top Alternatives
- Zapier: Zapier is worth the higher price once a workflow is business-critical and needs dependable multi-step execution across a large app catalog; IFTTT stays the simpler, free option for smart-home control and personal automations that don't need that depth.
- Make: Make suits anyone who needs to visually map complex data transformations between apps at scale; IFTTT wins on simplicity, built for a single trigger-action pairing rather than a multi-step data pipeline.
- n8n: n8n is the self-hostable, developer-first option for a team that wants full control over its automation stack; IFTTT is the no-code consumer app for someone who wants a working automation with zero setup.
HokAI guides covering IFTTT
- Best AI Orchestration Tools in 2026: How to Actually Choose: n8n self-hosts free with 2,067 integrations; Zapier bills by task but lists 9,976 apps. Nine AI orchestration tools sorted into the three tiers that matter.
- Self-Hosted AI Agents Went Mainstream in 2026. Here's How to Decide If You Should Run One.: OpenClaw passed React's GitHub star count in March 2026, and Meta bought its sister project. Here is how to decide between self-hosting and paying for Lindy.