Automate apps and devices across platforms for reliable workflows
IFTTT is a web-based automation service that connects apps, smart devices, and web services via trigger-and-action Applets; it’s ideal for individuals and small teams who want no-code integrations and routine automation, and it offers a usable free tier plus paid subscriptions for higher quota and developer features.
IFTTT is an Automation & Workflow platform that links apps, smart home devices, and web services to perform actions automatically when triggers occur. It enables users to build simple trigger→action Applets or use ready-made ones across services like Gmail, Twitter, Philips Hue, and smart plugs. The platform’s key differentiator is broad consumer and IoT reach combined with a low-code Applet editor that non-developers can use. IFTTT serves homeowners automating smart devices, marketers syncing content, and small teams automating repetitive tasks. Pricing includes a free tier with limits and paid Pro/Pro+ plans that unlock more Applets and faster execution.
IFTTT (If This Then That) launched as a consumer-focused automation service to connect disparate web apps and IoT devices into simple, conditional workflows called Applets. Founded to simplify integrations without coding, it positions itself between consumer smart-home control and lightweight business automation. Its core value proposition is enabling event-driven automation across thousands of service integrations so users can react to emails, social posts, weather changes, or device states without writing code. IFTTT emphasizes accessibility: a visual editor, discoverable public Applets, and wide hardware compatibility with smart home brands and cloud services.
Key features include the Applet builder, which lets you assemble a trigger (the “If This”) and one or more actions (the “Then That”) using over 800 services; users can chain multiple actions and use filter code (JavaScript snippets) on Pro tiers to customize logic. Another feature is Service API access for developers and brands: companies can build and publish their IFTTT integration (service) to reach consumers and provide direct device control. IFTTT also supports query parameters and ingredient substitution so triggers pass structured data (like email subject, tweet text, or sensor readings) into actions. For smart homes, IFTTT offers direct device controls—turn lights on/off, set thermostat modes, or post status updates—across major vendors that expose APIs.
IFTTT’s pricing starts with a Free tier that lets users run a limited number of Applets (historically limited to a handful of Applets and basic features). Paid options are Pro and Pro+ subscriptions which increase concurrent Applet counts, add multi-action Applets, faster polling/execution, and Filter Code (custom JavaScript) capabilities; IFTTT also offers business/developer plans for companies wanting service integrations or SSO/enterprise features. The Free tier is suitable for casual users with a few automations. Pro targets power users who need multiple multi-action Applets and faster response; Pro+ further expands runs and priority. Enterprise/developer pricing is custom and varies based on API calls and service publishing needs.
IFTTT’s user base spans hobbyists automating lights and notifications, social managers cross-posting content, and operations teams tying SaaS tools into alerts. Example users include a Facilities Manager using IFTTT to automatically turn on lights and send occupancy reports when motion sensors trigger, and a Social Media Specialist using it to post approved RSS content to multiple platforms to save two hours weekly. For organizations requiring advanced branching, enterprise-grade security, or deeper app-to-app data mapping, competitors like Zapier or Make (Integromat) may be preferable, but IFTTT retains an edge in consumer IoT breadth and brand integrations.
Three capabilities that set IFTTT apart from its nearest competitors.
Current tiers and what you get at each price point. Verified against the vendor's pricing page.
| Plan | Price | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Limited number of personal Applets and basic features | Casual users with a few automations |
| Pro | $3.99/month (billed annually) | Multi-action Applets, Filter Code, faster execution quotas | Power users needing custom logic and more Applets |
| Pro+ | $5.99/month (billed annually) | Higher run volumes, priority execution, advanced features | Heavy users with many multi-step automations |
| Enterprise / Developer | Custom | Custom API, service publishing, SSO and enterprise controls | Brands and businesses publishing integrations |
Copy these into IFTTT as-is. Each targets a different high-value workflow.
You are an IFTTT Applet author. Create a single Applet that posts new RSS feed items to a connected Twitter account. Constraints: use only the RSS Feed and Twitter services, avoid duplicate tweets for the same URL within 24 hours, keep each tweet <=280 characters and include title + shortlink, optionally append one hashtag. Output format: return a JSON object with fields: name, trigger_service, trigger_field(feed_url), filter_logic (dedupe rule), action_service, action_message_template. Example: input RSS item {"title":"Post A","link":"https://ex.com/a"} -> tweet: "Post A https://ex.com/a #news".
You are an IFTTT Applet maker. Build one-shot logic that turns off one or more smart plugs when an occupancy (motion) sensor reports no motion for 15 continuous minutes. Constraints: use only the motion sensor trigger and smart plug action, include a 15-minute inactivity timer, allow selecting multiple plug devices, and ensure action runs only once per inactivity event. Output format: return a concise JSON with: name, trigger_service, trigger_condition (no_motion_duration: 15m), target_devices (list), action_service, safety_check (confirm device online). Example: sensor 'LobbyMotion' -> turn off ['Plug-1','Plug-2'].
You are an automation engineer producing a resilient Applet. Create a flow that takes incoming monitoring alerts (webhook/PagerDuty) and routes only high-priority incidents to Slack and as a Trello card. Constraints: filter alerts where priority == 'critical' or severity >= 8, deduplicate identical alerts within 30 minutes, include incident title, source, timestamp, and a deep link in both Slack and Trello. Output format: produce structured JSON with keys: name, trigger (example payload fields), filters (conditions), dedupe_window_minutes, actions: [{service:'Slack',channel, message_template},{service:'Trello',board,list,card_fields}]. Example trigger: {"title":"DB down","priority":"critical","id":"abc123"}.
You are a facilities automation specialist designing a scheduled Applet. Collect power usage readings from smart plugs into Google Sheets and send a weekly email summary listing top 3 energy-consuming devices. Constraints: aggregate readings by device_id, store rows with columns [timestamp, device_id, watts], schedule the digest every Monday at 08:00 local timezone, compute weekly totals and top 3 devices. Output format: JSON describing: name, trigger (power_reading schema), storage_sheet(sheet_id,columns), schedule(cron), aggregation_logic(weekly_total,top3), email_template(subject,body_with_top3_table). Example sheet row: {"2026-04-20T12:00Z","Plug-1",23.5}.
You are an enterprise automation architect. Design a multi-step onboarding Applet triggered by a new Google Workspace user creation that: 1) posts a Slack welcome and creates a Slack invitation; 2) adds the user to Okta groups based on department; 3) creates a Trello board named "Onboard - {last_name}" with checklist templates; 4) schedules a 60-minute orientation event in Google Calendar with the hiring manager. Constraints: include error handling (retry/expose failures), map department->Okta group in a small table, and respect data privacy (do not include SSNs). Output format: return YAML or JSON sequence of steps with API endpoints, required fields, sample payloads, and rollback actions. Example input: {"email":"[email protected]","name":"Jane Doe","dept":"Sales"}.
You are an e-commerce automation specialist building a conditional Applet for Shopify orders. On order.created: 1) check inventory via Inventory API or Google Sheet; 2a) if any item stock < quantity, send restock webhook to supplier and notify warehouse via SMS; 2b) else call shipping API to create a shipping label, update Shopify order with tracking, and notify customer email. Constraints: include idempotency keys, retry on 5xx up to 3 attempts, log all decisions to a central webhook. Output format: provide JSON with: name, trigger_schema(example Shopify payload), inventory_check(endpoint/lookup_table), conditional_branches(with API request/response examples), idempotency_strategy, retry_policy, notification_templates. Example: include sample inventory check request and shipping label creation payload.
Choose IFTTT over Zapier if you prioritize consumer IoT and direct smart-home brand integrations rather than enterprise app-to-app data mapping.
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