IFTTT (If This Then That) has been a popular automation platform for over a decade, allowing users to create customized recipes based on specific triggers and actions. Since its inception, IFTTT has been known for its free service, making it accessible to a wide range of users. However, with the ever-changing landscape of technology and the increasing demand for more advanced features, the question on everyone’s mind is: is IFTTT still free?
A Brief History of IFTTT
Before diving into the current pricing and features of IFTTT, it’s essential to understand the platform’s history. IFTTT was founded in 2010 by Linden Tibbets, and it quickly gained popularity as a free service that allowed users to create customized recipes based on specific triggers and actions. The platform’s simplicity and versatility made it a favorite among users, with millions of recipes created over the years.
IFTTT Pricing: Then and Now
In the early days of IFTTT, the platform was entirely free, with no limitations on the number of recipes users could create. However, as the platform grew in popularity, IFTTT introduced its first pricing plan in 2019. The new plan, called IFTTT Pro, offered additional features and benefits for users who were willing to pay a monthly fee.
IFTTT Pro Features
IFTTT Pro offers several features that are not available on the free plan, including:
- Multi-step applets: IFTTT Pro users can create applets with multiple steps, allowing for more complex automations.
- Custom applet icons: Pro users can customize the icons for their applets, making it easier to identify and organize their recipes.
- Enhanced filtering: IFTTT Pro offers more advanced filtering options, allowing users to create more specific and targeted recipes.
- Priority support: Pro users receive priority support, ensuring that their issues are addressed quickly and efficiently.
IFTTT Pro Pricing
IFTTT Pro is available for $1.67 per month, billed annually, or $2.00 per month, billed monthly. While this may seem like a small price to pay for the additional features, it’s essential to consider whether the benefits outweigh the costs.
Is IFTTT Still Free?
While IFTTT Pro offers additional features and benefits, the platform still offers a free plan with many of the same features that made it popular in the first place. The free plan allows users to create an unlimited number of applets, with some limitations on the features and functionality.
Free Plan Limitations
The free plan has some limitations, including:
- Single-step applets: Free users can only create applets with a single step, limiting the complexity of their automations.
- Limited filtering options: Free users have limited filtering options, making it more challenging to create targeted recipes.
- No custom applet icons: Free users cannot customize the icons for their applets, making it more difficult to identify and organize their recipes.
Alternatives to IFTTT
While IFTTT is still a popular automation platform, there are several alternatives available that offer similar features and functionality. Some of the most popular alternatives include:
- Zapier: Zapier is a popular automation platform that offers a free plan with limited features, as well as several paid plans with additional features and benefits.
- Automate.io: Automate.io is another popular automation platform that offers a free plan with limited features, as well as several paid plans with additional features and benefits.
- Microsoft Power Automate: Microsoft Power Automate is a powerful automation platform that offers a free plan with limited features, as well as several paid plans with additional features and benefits.
Comparison of IFTTT and Alternatives
| Platform | Free Plan | Paid Plan |
| — | — | — |
| IFTTT | Unlimited applets, limited features | $1.67/month (billed annually) or $2.00/month (billed monthly) |
| Zapier | 5 zaps, limited features | $19.99/month (billed annually) or $24.99/month (billed monthly) |
| Automate.io | 250 tasks, limited features | $9.00/month (billed annually) or $12.00/month (billed monthly) |
| Microsoft Power Automate | 750 runs, limited features | $15.00/month (billed annually) or $20.00/month (billed monthly) |
Conclusion
While IFTTT is no longer entirely free, the platform still offers a robust free plan with many of the same features that made it popular in the first place. The introduction of IFTTT Pro has provided users with additional features and benefits, but it’s essential to consider whether the benefits outweigh the costs. With several alternatives available, users have more options than ever before to find the automation platform that best meets their needs.
Final Thoughts
IFTTT has come a long way since its inception, and the platform continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of its users. While the introduction of IFTTT Pro has added a new layer of complexity to the platform, it’s essential to remember that the free plan is still available and offers many of the same features that made IFTTT popular in the first place. As the automation landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how IFTTT and its alternatives adapt to meet the changing needs of users.
Is IFTTT still free to use?
IFTTT (If This Then That) is still free to use, but with some limitations. The platform offers a free plan that allows users to create and use a limited number of applets, which are custom recipes that automate tasks between different devices and services. However, the free plan has some restrictions, such as limited applet creation and usage, compared to the paid plans.
The free plan is suitable for casual users who want to automate simple tasks, such as turning on their lights when they enter a room or sending a notification when a specific event occurs. However, heavy users or those who require more advanced features and customization options may need to upgrade to a paid plan. IFTTT offers several paid plans, including the Pro and Pro+ plans, which offer more features, applet creation, and usage limits.
What are the main differences between IFTTT’s free and paid plans?
The main differences between IFTTT’s free and paid plans lie in the number of applets that can be created and used, as well as the features and customization options available. The free plan allows users to create and use a limited number of applets, while the paid plans offer more applet creation and usage limits. Additionally, the paid plans offer more advanced features, such as multi-step applets, conditional logic, and custom filters.
Another key difference is the level of support provided. Paid plan users get priority support, which means their queries and issues are addressed faster than those of free plan users. Furthermore, paid plan users can also access more integrations and services, including some premium services that are not available to free plan users. Overall, the paid plans offer more flexibility, customization options, and support, making them suitable for heavy users or those who require more advanced automation capabilities.
How has IFTTT’s pricing model evolved over time?
IFTTT’s pricing model has undergone significant changes over the years. Initially, the platform was completely free, with no limits on applet creation and usage. However, as the platform grew in popularity and the number of users increased, IFTTT introduced a freemium model, which offered a free plan with limited features and a paid plan with more features and customization options.
In 2020, IFTTT introduced a new pricing model, which included the Pro and Pro+ plans. These plans offered more features, applet creation, and usage limits, as well as priority support and access to more integrations and services. The pricing model has continued to evolve, with IFTTT introducing new features and plans to cater to different user needs and preferences. Today, IFTTT offers a range of plans, including the free plan, Pro plan, and Pro+ plan, each with its own set of features and limitations.
What are some alternatives to IFTTT?
There are several alternatives to IFTTT, including Zapier, Automator, and Microsoft Power Automate. These platforms offer similar automation capabilities, allowing users to create custom recipes that automate tasks between different devices and services. Zapier, for example, offers a wide range of integrations and a user-friendly interface, making it a popular alternative to IFTTT.
Another alternative is Automator, which offers a more visual interface and a wide range of customization options. Microsoft Power Automate, formerly known as Microsoft Flow, is another popular alternative that offers a wide range of integrations and a user-friendly interface. These alternatives offer similar features and capabilities to IFTTT, but with some differences in terms of pricing, integrations, and customization options.
Can I still use IFTTT’s old applets and recipes?
Yes, IFTTT still supports old applets and recipes, but with some limitations. Users who created applets and recipes before the introduction of the new pricing model can still use them, but they may not be compatible with the latest features and integrations. IFTTT has a legacy system in place that allows old applets and recipes to continue working, but users may need to update them to take advantage of the latest features and customization options.
However, it’s worth noting that IFTTT may eventually phase out support for old applets and recipes, so it’s recommended that users update them to the latest version to ensure compatibility and continued functionality. Additionally, users who want to create new applets and recipes will need to use the latest version of the platform, which offers more features and customization options.
How does IFTTT’s pricing model compare to its competitors?
IFTTT’s pricing model is competitive with its main competitors, including Zapier and Automator. IFTTT’s free plan is more limited than Zapier’s free plan, but its paid plans offer more features and customization options. Automator’s pricing model is more complex, with a wider range of plans and pricing options.
Microsoft Power Automate, on the other hand, offers a more enterprise-focused pricing model, with a wider range of plans and pricing options. Overall, IFTTT’s pricing model is competitive with its main competitors, but the best option for users will depend on their specific needs and preferences. Users should compare the features, pricing, and customization options of each platform to determine which one is best for them.
What’s the future of IFTTT’s pricing model?
The future of IFTTT’s pricing model is uncertain, but the company has indicated that it will continue to evolve and adapt to changing user needs and preferences. IFTTT has a history of introducing new features and plans, and it’s likely that the company will continue to do so in the future.
One possible direction for IFTTT’s pricing model is a more tiered approach, with more plans and pricing options available to users. This would allow users to choose the plan that best fits their needs and budget, and would give IFTTT more flexibility to offer different features and customization options. Additionally, IFTTT may introduce more premium features and services, which would be available to paid plan users only.