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IFTTT is a hosted app-to-app automation service: applets connect supported services without requiring you to run an automation server. It can suit simple smart-home links, but developers may outgrow reported free-plan limits, lose integrations or want a code-oriented API workflow. The alternatives below range from self-hosted n8n to hosted integration platforms. Treat starting prices as entry points, not estimates of what high-volume workflows will cost.
01Why people leave IFTTT
Free-plan limits prompted users to leave
A Reddit thread reported a three-custom-applet cap on free accounts. Treat that as a user report, not confirmation of today's plan limits.
Integrations can disappear or change
Reddit users describe losing integrations and features as providers restricted access or discontinued connections.
Cloud execution is not local control
Home Assistant users on Reddit cite local operation and more complex automations as reasons to move away from IFTTT.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Best for self-hosting
n8nn8nn8n is a strong fit if you want to replace IFTTT's hosted bridge with workflows you can inspect and self-host. It is open source and has a free plan; paid pricing starts at $20. IFTTT applets will not automatically become n8n workflows, so plan to rebuild and validate triggers and actions. Check the license and API details against your deployment needs.
Trade-off: You take on hosting and workflow migration.
7.4/10from
$20/mofree plan - Best for API workflows
PipedreamPipedreamChoose Pipedream when a service-to-service bridge needs to become an integration layer for an app connecting many third-party APIs. It is hosted and targets AI apps that need MCP tools. Pricing starts at $99, with a free plan. Check quotas and recovery behavior before routing production events; the entry price alone does not establish your cost at volume.
Trade-off: Hosted deployment and quotas need production review.
7.4/10from
$99/mofree plan - Best for visual workflows
MakeMakeMake suits teams that want a hosted visual workflow builder for app connections and AI models. It has a free plan, with pricing starting at $9. That gives you a lower listed entry price than IFTTT's $2.09 starting price only in neither case does the entry price predict cost at scale; check usage costs and operational limits before moving workflows.
Trade-off: Confirm usage costs and operational limits before scaling.
7.1/10from
$9/mofree plan - Best for common apps
ZapierZapierZapier fits teams that need accessible connections between common business apps and do not want to operate an automation server. It has a free plan and starts at $19.99. The tradeoff matters at production volume: task costs can rise as workflows run more often, so estimate usage before migrating a large set of IFTTT applets.
Trade-off: Task volume can push production costs higher.
7.1/10from
$19.99/mofree plan - Best for Microsoft stacks
Power AutomatePower AutomatePower Automate is the closest fit here for Microsoft 365 workflows, approvals and legacy UI automation with RPA. Its listed starting price is $15. Before moving IFTTT workflows, check licensing, limits and migration paths; this is a better match for Microsoft-centered operations than a general-purpose, low-cost replacement for simple applets.
Trade-off: Check licensing, limits and migration paths before scaling.
7.0/10from
$15/mo - Best for IT workflows
TinesTinesTines is aimed at governed automations, including security and IT workflows, and offers a free plan for evaluation. Paid pricing is not listed. It may suit teams whose replacement needs involve oversight rather than simple applets, but clarify paid costs and confirm API access and export options before making it a production dependency.
Trade-off: Paid pricing and integration details need confirmation.
7.3/10from
Freefree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 IFTTT IFTTT (current) | 6.3 | $2.09/mo | Yes | Simple app-to-app automations |
| n8n n8n | 7.4 | $20/mo | Yes | Teams orchestrating repeatable business workflows |
| Pipedream Pipedream | 7.4 | $99/mo | Yes | AI apps that need MCP tools |
| Make Make | 7.1 | $9/mo | Yes | Teams automating across many apps |
| Zapier Zapier | 7.1 | $19.99/mo | Yes | Teams connecting common business apps |
| Power Automate Power Automate | 7.0 | $15/mo | No | Microsoft 365 workflow automation |
| Tines Tines | 7.3 | Free | Yes | Teams building governed automations |
Questions people ask
Is IFTTT a workflow automation tool?
Yes. IFTTT is a hosted automation service that connects supported apps and services through applets. It is positioned for simple app-to-app and smart-home connections, rather than as a self-hosted or code-first workflow platform. If you need more control over deployment or API workflows, compare options such as n8n and Pipedream.
What is the best automation app for Android?
There is no single best choice for every Android task. Reddit users report that IFTTT can still be useful for smart-home connections, while some find it less useful for phones. Check whether the Android app or service you need exposes the specific trigger and action your workflow requires before choosing a replacement.
How do you get IFTTT for free?
IFTTT lists a free plan. A Reddit thread reported a limit of three custom applets on free accounts, but that report is not a current guarantee of the plan's limits. Check IFTTT's current plan details before relying on a particular number of applets or features.