Differences between Automate.io, Zapier, IFTTT and Integromat
If you read my article “I want to automate processes, where do I start?” you will have discovered that there is more than one tool with which you can automate processes in different difficulties. And also, for sure, you will have discovered that each of these tools “specializes” in some category, have more or less integrations, are more or less complex and, above all, have VERY different free plans.
And it is this last point that we will focus on so that you can have a tool that gives you more options in its free version and you can save a few dollars.
This does not mean that it is the best tool for you. It all depends on what you want to use it for or what you are looking to automate.
That said, let’s get started!
Automate.io
Automate.io, recently acquired by Notion in September 2021, is one of the fastest growing automation tools in recent years, and not for nothing:
It lets you connect more than 200 apps, share or collaborate with your team, and your data is encrypted.
It’s so intuitive that you just connect your apps together and then fill in the blank fields with the information you want and, depending on the app, you can customize messages.
Their free plan allows you to have up to 300 actions per month (that is, every time your automation is executed) and create up to 5 bots (these are the automations/connections you will create between apps).
Check in detail the differences between their plans here.
Spoiler Alert: Automate.io is officially shutting down in October 2022 to become part of the Notion “team”/system. But they have made an alliance with Zapier so that their users will not lose their integrations.
You can read the full story here.
Zapier
Zapier is probably the most popular automation tool, and with good reason: you can work with more than 4000 apps natively and is used by companies like Spotify, Meta, Shopify, among others.
And here I share with you its main benefits:
It gives you recommendations based on the category you want to use.
It works based on conditionals (this may be intuitive at first, but it depends on how far you want to go or how many apps you involve).
Yes, getting started in the world of automations can be very complex, but rest assured: there is Zapier University and you have a guide with everything you need to be a master of automations.
Their free plan allows you up to 100 tasks per month (that is, every time your automation runs) and create up to 5 zaps (these are the automations/connections you will create between apps).
Check in detail the differences between their plans here.
IFTTT
IFTTT (acronym for If This Then That) is, for some reason I still don’t know, one of the most popular automation tools among geeks. Just by logging into its platform, it takes you through a unique UX (unlike its main competitors). And maybe therein lies the reason why.
These are its main benefits:
In addition to its web version, you find a mobile version (app) that certainly makes you want to never close it. And what message does this leave us with? The simplicity, speed and power that this tool has.
It has more than 700 integrations between products and apps. Yes, you read that right: products. This means you can connect devices like Alexa or smart bulbs and create automations.
Their free plan gives you unlimited Applets per month (that is, every time your automation runs) and create up to 5 Applets (these are the automations/connections you’ll create between apps).
Check in detail the difference between their plans here.
Integromat / Make
Integromat is last on the list because it is also, in my opinion, the most complex/complete automation tool. But this doesn’t have to mean that it’s a problem or that you need any kind of advanced technical knowledge.
Before we go any further, it is important to mention that Integromat is going through a transition and converting to “Make”. A much more UX-friendly brand with renewed plans.
I think I’m not lying when I say that this tool is a favorite among developers and professional automation experts. Here I show you its benefits:
It offers you more than 1000 integrations between apps, mainly “technical”. This is the reason why it is most used by professionals.
When integrating applications you can take it from a single action or do actions simultaneously (here is the “complicated” part, given the variety of options you will have to deal with).
Allows you to see a report of your automations. This is very important in case of failures or if you made a mistake when creating the integration.
If you are a programmer, or you are in the process of becoming one, you should know that Integromat/Make allows you endless options for you and your code.
In fact, Integromat/Make has so many features that I’ll leave you the link to their website so you can check it out.
Their free plan gives you unlimited Ops per month (that is, every time your automation runs).
Check in detail the difference between their plans here.
Yes, automations are a world equidistant from us, but once we understand them, we start to develop a superpower that will accompany us for the rest of our lives.
And this is just the beginning.
Download my Notion templates for free!
From my Gumroad profile you can have a virtual office, an interactive CV, manage your Podcast, your finances and more. ;)
