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Remote Work · head to head

IFTTT vs MQTT

IFTTT logo

IFTTT

Remote Work

Automate almost anything with IFTTT

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MQTT logo

MQTT

Smart Home

Lightweight messaging protocol for IoT devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: IFTTT free plan limited to only 2 applets total; MQTT mQTT is an open-source protocol standard with no commercial pricing; not a commercial product
  • They diverge on capability: IFTTT covers If-then applets, MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which IFTTT and MQTT actually diverge.

Attributes where IFTTT and MQTT differ
AttributeIFTTTMQTT
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidAny platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing
CategoryRemote WorkSmart Home
Founded20111999

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

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 MQTT

  • Publish-Subscribe
  • Lightweight
  • QoS Levels
  • Retained Messages
  • IoT platforms
  • Home automation
  • Cloud services
  • Edge devices

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 MQTT
  • Power users requiring 20 applets and multi-action capabilities via Pro plannot MQTT
  • Advanced automation with unlimited applets and AI services via Pro+ plannot MQTT

MQTT

  • IoT messagingnot IFTTT
  • Sensor datanot IFTTT
  • Real-time updatesnot IFTTT
  • Device telemetrynot 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

MQTT

  • MQTT is an open-source protocol standard with no commercial pricing; not a commercial product

Pricing, plan by plan

IFTTT

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 Applets maximum
    • Standard Applet speeds
    • DIY or published Applets access
  • Pro$2.99/month
    • 20 Applets maximum
    • Fastest Applet speeds
    • Multi-action Applets
  • Pro+ (Annual)$35.88/year
    • Equivalent to $2.99/month with 40% annual discount
  • Pro+$8.99/month
    • Unlimited Applets
    • All Pro features included
    • Fastest Applet speeds

MQTT

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • Publish-subscribe
    • Lightweight
    • QoS levels

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 MQTT if

  • You need publish-subscribe.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Any platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing.
  • You also want lightweight.
MQTT review

Questions people ask

Is IFTTT or MQTT better?
Neither clearly leads. IFTTT starts at Free and MQTT at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, IFTTT or MQTT?
IFTTT starts at Free and MQTT at Free.
Does IFTTT or MQTT run on more platforms?
IFTTT runs on Web, iOS, Android. MQTT runs on Any platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing.
Can I use IFTTT for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 MQTT is typically brought in for.
What can IFTTT do that MQTT cannot?
IFTTT covers If-then applets, Webhooks, Smart home integration, Social media. MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe, Lightweight, QoS Levels, Retained Messages.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

IFTTT: Is there a free version of IFTTT?

Yes, IFTTT offers a free tier that allows users to create up to 2 Applets with standard speeds and unlimited runs. The free plan includes DIY or published Applets access, a mobile app, and 30 days of onboarding support.

Source
MQTT: Does MQTT have a commercial license cost?

MQTT is an open-source communication protocol and standard. No pricing is published because MQTT itself is not a commercial product for sale.

Source
IFTTT: How much does IFTTT Pro cost?

IFTTT Pro costs $2.99/month (or $35.88/year with 40% annual savings). Pro users get up to 20 Applets with fastest speeds, multi-action Applets, Webhooks access, Twitter Applets, and customer support.

Source
IFTTT: What does the IFTTT Pro+ tier include?

IFTTT Pro+ costs $8.99/month ($107.88/year with 40% annual discount). It includes unlimited Applets, all Pro features, AI services access, multiple account connections per service, query and filter code capabilities, and prioritized customer support.

Source
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