In today’s world technology is the cornerstone of every industry. Each day comes with technology modification. Figure out this, turning your phone into your personal assistant? To start with, I’m talking about IFTTT. It is a web-based service that allows you to create a chain of simple statements known as applets.These applets get generated basing on other changes of other web services like Pinterest, Instagram, and Gmail. In other words, IFTTT will make your life simple and better. Even so, not everyone is happy with this software. As a result, some have led in seeking free IFTTT alternatives. But, before we can dig deep into IFTTT alternatives, let’s look at how you can use IFTTT.
Send Items to Google Reader
If you have installed Google reader, not all updates are useful. Instead, using IFTTT, your client will save lots of time browsing through unwanted articles. For this reason, this tool will help you send valuable items to their inbox as you move them into Google reader.
Retweets
Using IFTTT, you can set up automatic tweet. It helps because responding to every tweet when you get mentioned in #FF is tiresome.
Follow a User
Let it be the aim to make money on Instagram or any other goal of a person on any social network, followers are the backbone. So whatever your target is, following Twitter users is one way of growing your audience.
But, instead of doing this manually, you can design a recipe that adds new users to your list. For this reason, you can see all new followers at once. Besides, you can follow those whom you want without trawling through your member list.
IFTT is helpful in scheduling posts and receiving updates when a particular person tweets. Also, it can update you on changes in weather. These are some of the benefits of this tool. Even so, not all these benefits are great news to all. Developers have been busy designing apps similar to IFTT. Some of these alternatives provide integration on several platforms.
Now, without any further delay – the following are IFTTT alternatives open to everyone.
Zapier
First, if used well, this IFTTT alternative will increase productivity. Second, you can use it to automate many functions. As a matter of fact, you can automate more than 200 web services.
It covers Slack, Google Calendar, Google Drive, LinkedIn, Dropbox, Twitter, Evernote and more. Still, you can use it to automate complex web services like Amazon S3 and MySQL too. These two are popular apps used by businesses!
How to Automate Tasks using Zapier
To Start with, you need to download this app after signing up. Then, click Create a Zap to start. In this segment, we’ll look at how to design a custom Zap. So, you need to choose both action and a reaction. From all services available, the select an email to send in the event of a new RSS feed item.
For this reason, select RSS when a new issue gets detected in the feed. Also, choose Email to send an outbound email upon detection. Subsequently, choose Email to send an outbound email upon detection.
Hit Continue all through the wizard until you get asked for an RSS URL. But, beware that the available custom filter for selecting a single feed is taxing. Once you enter the Feed URL, choose from a series of discovered fields to limit how your screen should work. For instance, if you want to have feeds with the text Zapier; select title with the word Zapier.
From here on, focus on the system you will use to send emails in the event of work. At this point, the relevant fields are the subject, recipient, and the content body. So, fields like attachments and CC/BCC are discretional.
The last step of this app similar to IFTTT is to try it out and ensure it presents all the data. If you filled out custom fields to define a new RSS item, double-check to be sure the service is working.
Now, name the feed for reference in your account. Once you do that, an optional prompt will show up as you finish the Zap for division reasons in Zapier app index. If you share the new created Zap wit Zapier community, you get 50 free tasks a month. But, you need to fill out the details about the problems that Zap solves then click Share.
IFTTT vs Zapier: Comparison Between Zapier and IFTTT
- At present, Zapier runs on 224 web services. IFTTT has 68 channels for making connection amidst of different channels
- IFTTT doesn’t have great filtering options. On the other hand, Zapier options for custom filtering like the RSS feed makes Zap much more custom. Still, it makes Zapier more functional for any need
- IFTTT gallery has a whopping 71, 000 recipes. Zapier has more than 14,000 shared Zaps
- IFTTT is completely free but, Zapier has paid packages for higher usage
Hooks
If you would like to enjoy your client’s work, make good use of this free software. No doubt, this IFTTT alternative open source will keep the fine profit for you. Still, it will offer immediate gratification to your clients.
What you can do with Hooks
- Discover topics
- Follow topics you love
- Chat with people
- Watch TV and Movies
- Follow events
- Get weather updates and much more.
Never miss anything. Click on the link below to install this tool.
WappwolfAutomator
WappwolfAutomator is a free IFTTT alternative that works well on the net. Also, it is an alternative to Cloud HQ. Now, this app works on cloud base alone. But, it’s available for free. Using this tool, you’ll give your clients perfect integrals ever. And since it’s free, you can save more bucks at the same time make more profit.
With WappwolfAutomator
- You’ll deconstruct the barriers of the cloud
- Sync files to Amazon and Cloud Drive
- You’ll automate your Dropbox by connecting Facebook, Evernote, Flickr and other web services. Also, apps
- Drag and drop documents into an established folder on Dropbox. Still, the files will get converted and synced to your preferred places automatic
Sign up to use this app via the link provided below.
http://wappwolf.com/dropboxautomator
Skyvia
In my opinion, Skyvia is the best and most innovative IFTTT alternative. This software can integrate apps and web tool on almost all platforms. IFTTT is not compatible with Windows phones, but this app is.
Still, you can use it on Mac and Android. So, the feature support which is not in IFTTT is available in this software. Above all, this app is unique. It does not need coding.
What you can do with Skyvia
- You’ll connect to various data sources through its cloud. Besides, you’ll access all data sources via fused interface
- You do not need to study any native web API of each cloud source. You just select, insert, update and delete directions against your data. You do all this from your browser
- You get daily automatic backup plus manual backups
- Using Skyvia, you integrate your data fast. Besides, no coding required. Also, you don’t need to have relevant skills. In other words, this app can help you with any task
It has free and paid version, follow the link below to sign up for free.
Tasker
First, Tasker is an IFTTT alternative Android. Second, it is a rule-based automation app. With it, you can design your profile basing on things like what a day it is. Also, applications running and where you are. Once you set your tool, this software takes control to meet all the instructions.
Be it as it may, when Tasker meets conditions, it set off tasks to do things like change the settings on your phone. For instance, you can ask Tasker to switch on airplane mode when you enter a GPS spot of a movie theatre. Tasker has a vast catalogue of recipes you can browse.
But, even though Tasker is the best app to explore your Android smartphone, it’s not natural. So, it takes a while before you get used to this app UI. The majority have given up along the way while trying to configure it.
A small mistake will result in unexpected results. The worst of all, Tasker official site isn’t of help. It hasn’t highlighted any initial training on how to use this app.
Even so, in this segment, you’ll get a step guide about what each component does. Let’s begin splitting this IFTTT alternative into six parts.
Profiles – This is a list of tasks that the system work depending on the setting
Tasks – In other words, this is a list of actions that your device will effect at some point in time.
Recipes – These are automation tweaks or profiles that you can share with other Tasker users.
Contexts – Context provides the time, location and connectivity (data). All this helps to lead to a particular profile.
Plugins – They are pre-built solutions designed to enhance the functionality of this app. Still, you can connect them with your profiles.
Scenes – These are custom UI elements you can create to connect with a profile.
How to Create your Tasker profile
In this segment, we’ve listed all aspects you need to create your profile.
- First, you need to install Tasker. If you haven’t, get the link below this section.
- Second, Navigate to Profiles and click on the + button.
- Next, click on State
At this point, you now want to define the context which will operate your profile
- Now, click on Hardware and tap on the USB Connected
- From here on, click on the back button and go back to the App’s Home screen
You now need to define your task
- You’ll get induced to create a new work. Create one and name it. For instance, you can call it Daydream.
- Next, click the + tab and add Actions
- Tap on App to start an app then, click Launch App
- Select Daydream app (the task you named). Then, leave other options unchanged
- Head to your profile and confirm if it’s active. From here on, every –time you connect USB your phone will go to Daydream mode. At this point, you will be ready, and it will go to Daydream mode when you put it to charge/dock it.
Note: Daydream mode lets you set screensaver display photos, bight backgrounds, and much more when your gadget is charging.
What Tasker Profile does and What happens in the Background
- Immediately you connect your USB to your phone, a Context system gets generated. The context is a sign that the hardware is alerting the Android OS to start performing actions.
- After that, Tasker picks the background. At this point, Tasker is aware your phone is in the connected mode. For this reason, it will search for the profile matching the context. When it finds it, it then looks for the task that has been directed to do in that state. As a result, it leads to Daydream function.
- Tasker scrutinises through the list of actions displayed under the task. It then hits the App Launch action. From here on, it’s supposed to start the App user which it was asked to launch when the USB was connected.
- It now digs deep into the action to get the app that was due to get launched.
- As per the configuration, it will start Daydream (the app you named).
At this point, the IFTTT alternative picks up the system context and checks it with its context list. So, if the context matches, Tasker accomplishes the specified task together with the setting. In this case, it was launching an app.
Are there times when Tasker Fails to Work?
Of course, yes. Even if you did everything right, there are times this app fails. Below are some reasons to why.
On Samsung gadgets, for instance, Tasker gets killed in the background due to little memory. It is because of the intensity of the Touch Whiz Launcher of Samsung.
Even if your profile is correct, improper plugin configuration will trigger tasker to fail.
Android has different versions. Although Tasker is an IFTTT alternative Android each version comes with new features. Also, it comes with new security flaws. Because of this, one profile works differently on a separate release.
In some cases, some actions need root benefit. As a result, Tasker fails to work without them.
Tasker also fails to work whenever there is a conflict between a system task and it. Android permission model does not allow a secondary service to have more priority. So, any time Android need to pick on what it should rank, it won’t choose Tasker.
Comparison between Tasker and IFTTT
These two tools can get extended. But, each functions in different ways. For instance, Tasker supports third-party plugins. As a result, it adds a new role. IFTTT links with the third-party online services to broaden its features. Take a look at the following Tasker plugins.
AutoVoice – With this, you can create custom voice commands that will set off Tasker actions.
AutoRemote – This plugin pairs with AutoVoice. Once it does, you can run voice commands with Cortana in Windows 10. For example, instead of taking your phone, you can run I’m driving power. AutoRemote will take power to your device. From here on, Tasker will do the rest.
AutoNotification – Create constant notifications on your device using AutoNotification. For instance, you can create an action that disables GPS. At the same time, enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. To achieve this, just add buttons to activate Tasker actions.
In summary, third-party plugins help Tasker get more skills to work. And, adding voice commands makes this app superb. If you need more plugins click on the link. https://joaoapps.com/
Now, we already seen IFTTT doesn’t have plugins. IFTTT has many channels but, here are few worth checking out.
Connected Home – IFTTT has a collection of connected home chains. If you have Nest, Harmony or D-Link, you can connect fast to this app. Still, with Android channels, you can switch off lights. Or, change thermostat using your phone.
Amazon Alexa Channel – This channel starts actions on Android device using Alexa. But, this will be possible only if you have an Amazon Echo. Moreover, you can locate your phone if you unmuted it. Also, you can create commands to switch on your GPS.
Pushbullet – The service allows you to push files and texts from one gadget to another. With it, you can close the gap between your laptop, tablet and phone. Still, this IFTTT channel can help you get notifications on your desktop. For instance, you get notified if your phone’s battery gets low or if you miss a call.
What can we conclude?
In my opinion, this app has more to offer. But, it’s rigid to get past the learning curve. A little misconfiguration leads to an entirely different behaviour. So, you need to be patient to get around. Moreover, it’s a hit and test technique.
Above all, all services are excellent, and you can use each to do amazing stuff.
Cloud HQ
If you’re an expert this app similar to IFTTT is for you. First, it is paid software. Second, integrate exceptional web-based storage like Dropbox by a single click. Third, it is available for a web solution. Fourth, it works on cloud base. Finally, you’ll present your clients with a possible support.
What you can do with Cloud HQ
- Increase productivity and collaboration
- Integrate with other cloud storage platforms
- Back up your cloud apps to a central Google Drive and much more.
Sign up today and learn more via the link below.
https://www.cloudhq.net/google_apps
Huggin
If you are a novice and wants to try integration, Huggins is the best app. First, it is an IFTTT alternative Microsoft. Second, you can use it on Linux and the web browser too. Third, you’ll achieve more with this open source program.
Finally, using this tool, you will get a meaningful solution to every turn. To see what you can do with Huggin and start using it, just click on the link below.
https://github.com/cantino/huginn
WeWiredWeb
Use this IFTTT alternative to iPhone to connect and automate your apps. You can create integrations in three ways using this tool as follows.
1: Automate your tasks using Automation Editor
Save a lot of time with automation editor. Building it takes few minutes, and your app will talk to each other. So, once your apps get connected, and gets one or more criteria, the automation automates your work.
2: Using Assemble Editor, Customise your Integrations
Assembly editor allows you to view scenes of your automation. Besides, you can create new endpoints from scratch or customise them. Still, no coding needed.
3: Build your Integration in time
With the help of its developers, identify which apps will optimise your business.
What you can do with this IFTTT Alternative
- Reformat numbers, texts and dates within your automation
- Use folders to organise your automation
- Share automation, so other can use them as templates
- Run your automation on schedule and much more.
This app is available for free! Still, it has paid packages available on their official website below.
Microsoft Flow
It is a useful IFTTT alternative Microsoft tool to connect your cloud services. You can connect Office 365, Dynamics 365, Twitter, and G Suite to create the flow of work. What I like about Microsoft flow, it performs several actions in a single Flow.
If you compare it with IFTTT, Microsoft supports less third-party apps. But, IFTTT was designed to target internet users while Flow is to use at the enterprise level. With Flow, you can restrict which apps and services to use.
Still, this tool lets you set button which sets off actions on the go. For instance, you can email your colleague if you delay attending a meeting.
Microsoft Flow app is available for free. But, if you plan to run it more often, go for the paid version. It starts at $5. For more information about Flow, follow the link provided.
http://www.theverge.com/2016/11/1/13491500/microsoft-flow-ifttt-available-now
Final Thoughts
That’s it. Which IFTTT alternatives have you used or are using? Which one would you like us to update? Above all, these choices are worth trying out. Let us know what you think in the comments section.