IFTTT has developed a reputation for itself as the leading automation app. Using a series of conditional statements, you can make certain events trigger specific actions.

There are two primary reasons why IFTTT has grown in popularity. First, it's free to use. Second, it integrates with a vast number of services.

But just because IFTTT is so popular, it doesn't mean you shouldn't check out some IFTTT alternatives. Some are aimed at businesses, some are for individuals. Which one is right for you depends on your needs.

1. Zapier

Zapier is arguably the most well-known IFTTT alternative---indeed, it is one of the leading IFTTT competitors. It works in a broadly similar way to its rival: you can connect apps and devices together so that particular events trigger precise outcomes.

The app uses "Zaps" to connect apps and services. It's aimed at users who want to create complex sequences, hence the support for lots of niche services as well as the ability to add multiple steps of actions into single Zaps.

Zapier offers three price points. The free tier restricts you to creating Zaps with two steps and limits the selection of apps you can link. The $20-per-month tier allows unlimited steps and introduces filters and formatters. There's also a business tier for $600 per month.

2. Microsoft Flow

Microsoft Flow went live in mid-2016. If you lean heavily on Microsoft's suite of productivity tools, it's hard to beat; the level of integration with those services is second-to-none. For example, you can automatically save Office 365 email attachments into OneDrive or send an approval email when something is added to SharePoint.

Pricing, which is aimed at businesses, runs at $15 per user or $500 for every five flows.

3. Tasker

Tasker is the best automation app on the Android operating system. Rather than automating external web apps, Tasker focuses on automating your phone.

Do you want Spotify to automatically launch when you plug in your headphones? Would you like your phone to read out messages while you're driving? It's all possible.

The app is confusing for first-time users---it lacks the friendly GUI offered by IFTTT and Zapier. However, if you spend a bit of time learning the ropes, it's incredible.

Tasker is not free. You'll need to make a one-time payment of $3.50 after the seven-day trial period expires.

Remember, there are some IFTTT applets to automate your phone.

4. Integromat

Another app like IFTTT that's primarily designed for businesses is Integromat.

The main strength of Integromat is the volume of apps it supports. It can even transfer and transform data as it moves between the different locations in your workflow.

Most automations on the platform can be done without programming. However, if you're a coding specialist, you can create highly complex integrations.

Integromat offers a free tier. It will support up to 1,000 operations, 100MB of data transfer, and 15-minute intervals.

The paid plans start at $9 per month and run to $299. The top plan supports more than 220GB of data transfer and 800,000 operations. It is ideal for large enterprises.

5. Automate.io

Automate.io is an IFTTT replacement that's similar to Zapier; you can create multi-step workflows across numerous apps and services.

It's aimed at professionals and businesses rather than home users. It only supports more than 100 apps, but most of them are unlikely to excite regular consumers.

Yes, some common productivity tools such as Google Calendar and Trello are present, but it's the app's focus on support for services like MailChimp, Salesforce, Eventbrite, and Slack that place it in the enterprise category.

If you want to check it out, the free tier offers 300 monthly actions, access to all the generic apps, five bots, and five-minute run intervals. The $49/month Startup plan boosts these restrictions considerably. The top plan will set you back $400/month.

6. Workflow

workflow

The locked-down nature of Apple's iOS means there's no like-for-like replacement for Tasker in the App Store. The Workflow app is as good as it gets.

But that's not to say it's not powerful. The Apple Design Award winner lets you connect almost any app on your device. Unlike Tasker, the tasks won't be automatic. You'll need to manually activate any workflow you've created in order to run it.

Nonetheless, there are plenty of cool concoctions. You can use of one the pre-made workflows if you're not sure where to start. Once you get more familiar with how the app functions, you can make your own.

Interestingly, the app is entirely free to use. It used to cost $2.99, but Apple made it free after acquiring the company in early 2017 and has since integrated Siri into the service.

7. Huginn

huginn app

We'll leave you with something a bit different. Huginn, named after a raven from Norse mythology, is an open-source app that's designed to run on your own server. It's best described as a combination of Yahoo Pipes and IFTTT.

If you're not a skilled coder, steer clear. Huginn is complicated for beginners. Creating and setting up agents is a difficult process.

If you can get to grips with setting up the app, you're in for a treat. Huginn can read the web, watch for events, and take actions, all without ever sending your data to an external third-party app.

The app is completely compatible with the increasingly popular Docker, and because it's open-source, it's entirely free to use.

Your Favorite IFTTT Alternatives

If you're looking for something different, we hope this article has given you some inspiration.

Let's take a quick recap:

  • If you want a like-for-like IFTTT replacement, use Zapier.
  • For smartphone-based automation, turn to Tasker or Workflow.
  • If you need a business-orientated app, sign up for Microsoft Flow or Automate.io.
  • And if you want an open-source app, check out Huginn.

If you like to learn more about IFTTT and how it can work for you, check out our guide to IFTTT applets and filters below.