IFTTT is a platform that is making the modern smart world even smarter. While the Internet of Things has created a network of interconnected smart devices, there is still a lack of interoperability among different platforms. Smart devices or services from one company may not work with those from another. For e.g., Apple’s Siri can’t communicate with devices through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa and vice versa. IFTTT is a service that is improving interoperability among smart devices.
What is IFTTT?
IFTTT or If This Then That is a platform that interconnects different apps or smart devices. Your apps and devices can work with each other even if they are not designed to by default. IFTTT can be accessed by either creating an account on the website or downloading the app on a smartphone. IFTTT facilitates the creation of Applets for interconnecting devices. An Applet is a series of conditional statements that are triggered when an event takes place. The Applets extend the functionalities of smart apps through services. You can combine multiple services to create Applets. For e.g., you can create an Applet so that your kitchen lights turn on whenever you open the door of your smart refrigerator. While your Philips Hue app may not be able to interact with your GE fridge directly, you can employ IFTTT Applets for accomplishing the same.
The functionality of IFTTT is not just limited to smart devices. It can be used to create Applets for software, web-based, and cloud platforms. You can save your new Instagram or Facebook photos automatically to cloud solutions like Dropbox and Google Drive or synchronize files stored across different cloud services. Applets can be created to save your MailChimp campaign stats to Google spreadsheets or automatically share posts from WordPress blogs to social media platforms (or vice versa). IFTTT supports cross-platform service functionality. You can create an Applet that synchronizes your Google Calendar with Amazon Alexa To-Do Lists. When you add an item to your To-Do lists, the same can be copied to your Google or iPhone Calendar.
There are existing Applets available on IFTTT that can be utilized by users or they can create custom ones as per their requirements. It is easy to use IFTTT as it allows the creation of Applets in a few clicks. You don’t have to be a developer or an engineer to create Applets with IFTTT. It is designed for users who want to personalize their smart devices easily. You can upload your favorite Applets to the library and share them with other users. It is great for professionals as well. If you are someone who deals with prospects and customers, you can create a log in Google SpreadSheet automatically every time you call someone. However, there are Pro and Business plans available for users who are familiar with coding and API integration.
The platform was initially released in September of 2011 and is available for web-based applications, and Android and iOS platforms. There are over 55-million IFTTT Applets available, and it supports over 650 smart devices, apps, and web platforms. IFTTT is compatible with popular brands like Alexa, Google, Facebook, Twitter, Philips, and many more.
How Does IFTTT Work?
IFTTT works on the principle of “if this, then that”. Applets employ a trigger and an action. A trigger refers to something that happens or a condition that must be met (if this). The action indicates the corresponding steps that must be executed whenever the trigger condition is met (then that). In the previous example, the trigger was the opening of the fridge door, and the action is switching on the kitchen lights. Similarly, posting an image on Instagram is the trigger and saving it into cloud storage is the action. Initially, there was only one trigger and one action allowed per Applet. However, IFTTT has extended its feature set over the years, especially with the launch of the IFTTT Pro plan.
Here are the basic steps involved in creating a custom IFTTT Applet.
- Create an account and sign-in to the website or app.
- Select the Create option from the website or app.
- Choose a trigger service such as a website or smart app to generate a list of available trigger events for that particular service.
- Pick a trigger event from the generated list.
- Now, choose an action service to generate a list of available actions for that service.
- Select the appropriate action from the list.
- Enter information in the action fields if required.
- Review the Applet and turn on the notifications as per your needs.
The Downsides of IFTTT
While IFTTT is a great platform, there are a few areas where it is relatively limited. These downsides are acceptable, considering that IFTTT is a free platform.
Lack of Multiple Triggers/Actions – IFTTT cannot group multiple triggers and actions. The free plan of IFTTT allows only one trigger and one action for each Applet. You can’t set multiple actions for a single trigger or chain two or more triggers for a single action. While the new IFTTT Pro has introduced the ability to chain multiple triggers and actions, it does require a monthly subscription.
Applets can be Sluggish – As the Applets available on IFTTT are free, some of them are not as well polished as others. A few of them can be sluggish and may not work smoothly. However, you will find multiple Applets for performing a particular trigger or action. There will be something that works better than others.
Limited Triggers and Actions – The library of triggers and actions available in IFTTT is limited. If you know how to code, then you have more customization options. But for regular users, whom the platform primarily targets, there are only so many triggers and actions available.
Lacks Enterprise Features – A significant drawback of IFTTT is that it is consumer-oriented and lacks enterprise-level functionality. It is designed to work with voice assistants and smart devices. All the software and applications that it supports are intended for consumers. IFTTT is not designed for enterprise users, unlike some of its competitors such as Zapier.
Introducing IFTTT Pro
IFTTT Pro is a subscription-based model for the platform that extends its feature set. It covers the few downsides of the IFTTT and adds functionalities that its users have been requesting for several years.
Multiple Queries – IFTTT Pro adds chained triggers and multiple actions in a single Applet. Users can combine multiple queries to create a chained condition as well as trigger several actions in a single Applet.
Faster Execution – IFTTT Pro will improve the execution time of Applets as the revenue generated on the platform will be used for enhancing the user experience.
API Integration – The business plans of IFTTT Pro come with API integration. Organizations can integrate the platform into their own tools.
With IFTTT Pro, Applets can now be created to execute multiple actions for each trigger or vice versa. You can switch on lights, draw window blinds, turn on air conditioning, and play your favorite music playlist on a smart speaker when your smart lock detects that you have reached home. Applets can also be created to only trigger when multiple conditions are met. For e.g., you can create an Applet to trigger lights only when you are home and it is evening or nighttime. IFTTT now also allows actions to be triggered manually through widgets and not just when a specific condition is met. Users do have to pay for accessing these advanced features.
While IFTTT has been free for most of its existence, it has changed recently. IFTTT Pro is a new service plan that will charge users every month from September 10th, 2020. The platform will still allow users to create up to three custom Applets for free using the Standard plan. There is no restriction on the number of Applets that you can download from the public user library.
However, you will need to purchase a subscription if you want to create more than three Applets. It is currently set at $9.99 per month. IFTTT is introducing a discounted introductory “Set your price!” subscription for one year. Users can choose to pay $3.99 or $5.99 as per their choice for the first year. They will have to pay $9.99 from the following year. IFTTT Pro has also introduced a couple of plans for the enterprise sector. However, the pricing for them has not been specified publicly, and organizations will have to get in touch with the sales department.
