If you’ve spent any time on our website, you may have already come across our breakdown of Zapier, an integration platform that offers users the power to set up ‘Zaps’ and automate tasks that involve two or more applications by setting them up to communicate with each other.
A ‘Zap’ is an action that’s defined by the parameters or events of your choice, allowing you to link an event (ie. receiving an email from a client) up with an action (ie. automatically forwarding that client email directly into your CRM platform to be added to their record, all without any input from you). Zapier’s a powerful player on the market, offering customisable automation abilities through the ability to connect actions across more than 500 web and mobile applications.
However, there’s another market player in this space that’s worth paying attention to: IFTTT. Where Zapier is a strong provider of business automation, IFTTT focuses more on personal automation. Whilst their scales are different and their ideal client base differs, there is crossover in the functionality of the two. Let’s take a look at a breakdown of their similarities and differences.
INTEGRATIONS WITH THIRD PARTY APPS
From a surface-level perspective, Zapier takes the cake in the area of third party app integration, as it currently integrates with over 500 apps in comparison to IFTTT’s 320. However, there’s a reason for this variance, and one that’s important to consider when you’re evaluating the service that would be best for your needs.
IFTTT mainly works with consumer-facing software and integrations, such as social media platforms and home connectivity apps. Their ‘recipes’ (the term IFTTT uses like Zapier’s ‘Zaps’) are mainly focused on integrations the average home user would be interested in, such as linking smart home objects like lights or thermostats up.
Zapier takes a different approach, with more focus on the business world. It’s not interested in real-world connectivity and instead is focused on specific business software integrations. Whilst IFTTT might be the perfect integration partner to get your smart home in perfect working order, Zapier wins out when it comes to overall business functionality and the integration power it offers in this area.
PRICING
IFTTT is free to a point – great! However, this can reflect at times in its accuracy and speed, with some of the third-party integrations running a little behind schedule and with some kinks in the mix. Zapier, on the other hand, does offer a free base service, but this only extends to two-step Zaps. The really interesting functionality comes when you move into the paid plans that offer Zaps with three or more steps, as well as other additional features. Zapier’s business plans begin at $20 USD a month.
TEAM USE
It’s in this comparison that the difference in Zapier and IFTTT’s user bases further reveals itself. Whilst Zapier offers Team Accounts, IFTTT only offers single-account capabilities.
VERDICT
IFTTT and Zapier both offer great solutions for life and business workflow automation, but there’s a clear distinction in their focuses. For those looking for personal automation and connectivity, IFTTT is a great solution with a rich database of app integrations. For businesses looking for functionality and effectivity, Zapier is the clear champion.