Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.
Lower starting price
IFTTT
From $2.99/mo against from $29/mo
Free plan
Tie
Both have one
Higher rating
Pipedream
4.2 against 4.6
Same job?
Yes
Both are Automation tools
Side by side
Compared on
IFTTT
Pipedream
Our rating
4.2
4.6Better
Starts at
$2.99/moBetter
$29/mo
Free plan
Yes
Yes
Category
Automation
Automation
Plans
Free$0
Pro$4.99/mo, or $2.99/mo billed yearly ($35.88/yr)
Pro+$14.99/mo, or $8.99/mo billed yearly ($107.88/yr)
Free$0
Basic$45/mo, or $29/mo billed yearly
Advanced$74/mo, or $49/mo billed yearly
Connect$150/mo, or $99/mo billed yearly
BusinessCustom pricing
Key features
Original trigger-action "applet" automation pattern
Strong focus on smart-home and personal device integration
AI-assisted applet creation from plain-language descriptions
Operating since 2010, longer than most category competitors
Free tier with a limited number of active applets
Inline Node.js, Python, Go, and Bash code in any workflow step
No-code options available alongside full code access
Built specifically with developers as the primary audience
Free plan with unlimited workflow testing
Wide API and app trigger support
Pros
Pioneered the trigger-action pattern most later automation tools still use
Strong, mature smart-home and IoT device support
Simple enough for non-technical personal use
Genuine first-class code access, not a limited escape hatch
Appeals directly to developers frustrated by purely visual tools
Free plan allows unlimited workflow testing before paying
Cons
Less suited to complex, multi-step business workflows
Business software integration is thinner than dedicated competitors
Free tier's applet limit is restrictive for heavier personal use
Less approachable for non-technical users than pure no-code platforms
Full value requires comfort writing real code
Production usage costs scale with actual execution volume
Company
IFTTT, founded 2010
Pipedream, Inc., founded 2019
Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 2026-09-24. Check the vendor before you buy.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is IFTTT better than Pipedream?
In our reviews IFTTT scores 4.2 and Pipedream scores 4.6. The better pick depends on the job. IFTTT: The original trigger-action automation, running since 2010. Pipedream: Real code inline, built by and for developers.
Which is cheaper, IFTTT or Pipedream?
IFTTT has the lower starting price: from $2.99/mo for IFTTT and from $29/mo for Pipedream.
IFTTT
Pipedream
