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Google Home vs IFTTT

Google Home logo

Google Home

Software

Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
IFTTT logo

IFTTT

Software

Automate almost anything with IFTTT

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app; IFTTT free plan limited to only 2 applets total
  • They diverge on capability: Google Home covers Google Assistant, IFTTT covers If-then applets.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Home and IFTTT actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Home and IFTTT differ
AttributeGoogle HomeIFTTT
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOSWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20162011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Google Home

  • Google Assistant
  • Voice Control
  • Routines
  • Multi-Room Audio
  • 10,000+ devices
  • Nest products
  • Chromecast
  • Third-party apps

Only in IFTTT

  • If-then applets
  • Webhooks
  • Smart home integration
  • Social media
  • Email notifications
  • Data logging
  • 650+ services
  • Smart home devices

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Google Home

  • Controlling and automating smart home devicesnot IFTTT
  • Viewing Nest camera feedsnot IFTTT
  • Creating automation routinesnot IFTTT
  • Managing household device settingsnot IFTTT
  • Voice control via Google Assistantnot IFTTT

IFTTT

  • Casual automation with up to 2 simple applets via free plannot Google Home
  • Power users requiring 20 applets and multi-action capabilities via Pro plannot Google Home
  • Advanced automation with unlimited applets and AI services via Pro+ plannot Google Home

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Google Home

  • Web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • Battery-camera live streams on the web app auto-stop after 5 minutes
  • Requires compatible Google/Nest or third-party smart-home hardware - it is a control app, not a standalone product

IFTTT

  • Free plan limited to only 2 applets total
  • Free plan applets run at standard speed; fastest speeds require Pro tier
  • Free plan excludes webhooks, multi-action applets, and Twitter integrations
  • Free plan limited to 30-day onboarding support; paid plans offer ongoing customer support

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

IFTTT

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the IFTTT review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Home if

  • You need google assistant.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
  • You also want voice control.
Google Home review

Choose IFTTT if

  • You need if-then applets.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want webhooks.
IFTTT review

Questions people ask

Is Google Home or IFTTT better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Home starts at Free and IFTTT at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Home or IFTTT?
Google Home starts at Free and IFTTT at Free.
Does Google Home or IFTTT run on more platforms?
Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS. IFTTT runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Google Home for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Google Home best used for?
Google Home is most often used for controlling and automating smart home devices, viewing nest camera feeds, creating automation routines, managing household device settings. Of those, controlling and automating smart home devices and viewing nest camera feeds are not what IFTTT is typically brought in for.
What can Google Home do that IFTTT cannot?
Google Home covers Google Assistant, Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio. IFTTT covers If-then applets, Webhooks, Smart home integration, Social media. Both handle Web support.
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Related pages

More on Google Home

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