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IFTTT vs LIFX

IFTTT logo

IFTTT

Software

Automate almost anything with IFTTT

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
LIFX logo

LIFX

Software

WiFi-enabled smart lights with no hub required

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only IFTTT has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: IFTTT free plan limited to only 2 applets total; LIFX the Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.
  • They diverge on capability: IFTTT covers If-then applets, LIFX covers No Hub Required.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which IFTTT and LIFX actually diverge.

Attributes where IFTTT and LIFX differ
AttributeIFTTTLIFX
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidIOS, Android, Windows, MacOS
Founded20112012

Identical on both: 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 IFTTT

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

Only in LIFX

  • No Hub Required
  • 16 Million Colors
  • WiFi Direct
  • High Brightness
  • HomeKit
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings

What people use each for

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

IFTTT

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

LIFX

  • Ambient lightingnot IFTTT
  • Gaming setupnot IFTTT
  • Photography lightingnot IFTTT
  • Smart homenot IFTTT

Where each one falls short

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

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

LIFX

  • The Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.

Pricing, plan by plan

IFTTT

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the IFTTT review.

LIFX

On request
  • LIFX Bulb$40/month
    • 16M colors
    • WiFi direct
    • No hub required

Which should you pick?

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

Choose LIFX if

  • You need no hub required.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want 16 million colors.
LIFX review

Questions people ask

Is IFTTT or LIFX better?
Neither clearly leads. IFTTT starts at Free and LIFX at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, IFTTT or LIFX?
IFTTT has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for IFTTT and On request for LIFX.
Does IFTTT or LIFX run on more platforms?
IFTTT runs on Web, iOS, Android. LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
Can I use IFTTT for free?
Yes. IFTTT has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LIFX starts at On request.
What is IFTTT best used for?
IFTTT is most often used for casual automation with up to 2 simple applets via free plan, power users requiring 20 applets and multi-action capabilities via pro plan, advanced automation with unlimited applets and ai services via pro+ plan. Of those, casual automation with up to 2 simple applets via free plan and power users requiring 20 applets and multi-action capabilities via pro plan are not what LIFX is typically brought in for.
What can IFTTT do that LIFX cannot?
IFTTT covers If-then applets, Webhooks, Smart home integration, Social media. LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness.
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