Automator IFTTT, Zapier and Flow: what to choose to deal with the routine
Technologies / / December 19, 2019
Briefly about what Automator
Automator operate on the same principle: they create cause-and-effect relationships between tens and hundreds of Web services that you use on a daily basis. A few trivial examples for those who heard about them only from afar. Connect the appropriate web service to Automator:
- I turned off the sound on the Android-phone, when you get to work;
- sent notice that soon starts to rain;
- I set a new profile picture to Facebook, if you replaced it in Twitter;
- Pocket video sent in from Vimeo, you noted for future reference;
- I sent an email to the Telegram.
Of course, the conditions and the consequences may be more exotic and individual - it all depends on what tools you use and what can your imagination. The exact number of options to calculate problematic, and now you will understand why.
application Support
IFTTT It opened to the public in September 2011. Unique service with a good name quickly gained popularity, and in April of 2012 users have created million tasks according to the principle "if there was one, then do another." Initially, the task was called recipes, but after a recent rebranding renamed applets. Although the meaning is not changed: you select a trigger that automatically triggers action.
You can simplify the task and use ready-made applets are prepared IFTTT editors and other users. Offers thousands of ways to automate social networks, email and music services, online publications, as well as smart gadgets.
IFTTT supports about 320 services. Among them - Facebook, Evernote, YouTube, Spotify, Giphy, Wikipedia, as well as Android and iOS service. We can say that IFTTT specifics - casual services for a comfortable life. Get at least support the intelligent assistant Google Assistant WeMo and appliances.
Zapier It came on the market in August 2012. Newbie immediately joined in the game and quickly catch up with the sole opponent. Moreover, judging by the numbers, today Zapier takes precedence.
You can look at Zapier site and see for yourself. Finger gets tired flipping section with the channels on which you propose to create countless commandments - that is how they call the chain of triggers and actions.
By Zapier can connect more than 750 services, including highly specialized services for professional activities. For example, supports the MySQL database management system, Recurly payment platform and online tool to sign documents HelloSign.
Flow was taken out of beta testing at the end of 2016 under the slogan "Work less, Do more." As the name implies, here flows used by which user synchronizes files, receive notifications and collects data automatically.
Not surprisingly, Microsoft paid special attention to its own products, it does not forget about the most popular solutions to other companies.
Flow limited to 81 service, much of which is focused on the business environment. So, among the proposals have the cloud platform Azure, Office 365 and Microsoft software translator Translator.
Output. Zapier covers the maximum number of services. IFTTT enough for most ordinary cases. Flow is inferior and confuse in the Microsoft ecosystem, but rapidly growing strongly.
Capabilities
It seems that people are fighting for Automator regular addition of new services. In fact, the situation is somewhat more complex and must take into account the depth of integration. Again: Each chain consists of causes and effects, and their diversity is sometimes greatly differs from competitors.
For example, the Gmail channel on IFTTT six flip-flops provided and one action at Zapier range will be wider - seven triggers and three steps. And such cases, you can gather up enough. So, before you choose Automator for their own purposes, carefully read the features of each individual service. By the way, Gmail channel Flow at all.
You can not ignore the mechanics of services themselves. IFTTT most simple because creates short chains of one event and one investigation. In Zapier Flow and much more serious possibility: additional actions are provided and that it is imperative conditions.
For example, you can specify how many subscribers should be from your Twitter account to get the message to the post office of his subscription. Another scenario: how about glory through Facebook only those workouts that lasted longer than an hour? Powerful functionality, the reverse side of which is more loaded interface and the difficulty for beginners.
Output. Zapier and Flow IFTTT placed on the shoulder thanks to filters and more actions.
Convenience
Each Automator recommends templates for easy start - here parity. However, to understand what benefits they are the easiest to Flow, because Microsoft has translated into Russian service. Here got interface flows, partially help, and online training. There is no doubt that over time localize everything. But Zapier and IFTTT have to digest in English.
We give victory Flow? Wait a little until you mention the mobile versions of three Automator. More precisely, two of them who have got applications for Android and iOS. It IFTTT and Flow, but not Zapier.
Mobile IFTTT clients run on Android-gadgets, as well as the iPhone and iPad. They are bright, simple, understandable. The developers tried to personal applets were always at hand, and the creation of new will have no difficulty.
Price: Free
Price: Free
Flow customers look a little overloaded. Although they Russified that adds to their score. Of the features we should mention the widgets for quick action, which, however, also have IFTTT, where they are called Do Button.
Price: Free
Price: Free
Separately, we note that the Flow is not established in the sixth Android, large-format version for the iPad does not.
Output. Flow does not forget about the Russian-speaking customers, for which he had special thanks. By subjective impressions applications IFTTT outperform Flow. Zapier a stitch, moreover, there is no information on when the service will get a mobile version.
cost of
IFTTT users in wonder the idea that you need to pay for Automator. But do not give up on Zapier and Flow: services do not require money for limited functionality and the most popular channels. Nurse on the limits to see if there is enough free capacity for personal purposes.
So, for multishagi and a full set of channels in Zapier will have to give $ 20 a month. More expensive plans to increase the number of permitted commandments and auto-unlock.
Microsoft modest: 4500 accomplishments are $ 5 per month, and 15 000 - $ 15.
By the way, the price list should look into if important automation speed. Free IFTTT triggers checks every 10 minutes. In Zapier interval can be shortened to five minutes, while the Flow - to one.
Output. For domestic purposes it is better not to find free IFTTT. Business will decide himself, whether the services are Zapier Flow and value for money.
What better
Clear winner in the fight for the title of best Automator not. Much depends on what scenarios are interested in each individual. Therefore tezisno distinguish positive and negative features of each service.
IFTTT
Pros:
- A complete list of familiar applications we use every day.
- Support for such curious items as smart bulbs and remote control garage door.
- Simple clean design web interface and mobile clients.
- Low entry threshold.
- Free.
Minuses:
- Lack of support for the Russian language.
- No additional actions and conditions.
Zapier
Pros:
- The maximum range of applications, some of which attract corporate clients.
- These high flexibility thanks to filters and multideystviyam.
- Connecting multiple profiles for the same channel.
Minuses:
- The lack of Russian localization, and mobile applications.
- Limitations in the free plan.
Flow
Pros:
- Tight integration with Microsoft services.
- Addition of application steps and conditions in the streams.
- Russian translation of Web interface and mobile applications.
Minuses:
- Limits on the operation and inspection interval without having to purchase a subscription.
What Automator show you the most attractive?