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IFTTT vs Nest

IFTTT logo

IFTTT

Software

Automate almost anything with IFTTT

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Nest logo

Nest

Software

Google's smart home hardware and software ecosystem

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; Nest pricing not published in support documentation; individual product prices vary significantly
  • They diverge on capability: IFTTT covers If-then applets, Nest covers Learning Thermostat.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which IFTTT and Nest actually diverge.

Attributes where IFTTT and Nest differ
AttributeIFTTTNest
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidHardware, Mobile, Web
Founded20112010

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 Nest

  • Learning Thermostat
  • HD Cameras
  • Smart Alerts
  • Energy Savings
  • Google Home
  • Google Assistant
  • Third-party apps
  • Works with Nest

Both cover

  • Web support

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

Nest

  • Households already invested in Google Home ecosystem seeking integrated smart thermostat, camera, and door locknot IFTTT
  • Users wanting unified control of temperature, security, and entertainment across multiple devicesnot IFTTT
  • Organisations deploying Google-based smart building solutions with Nest hardwarenot 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

Nest

  • Pricing not published in support documentation; individual product prices vary significantly
  • All Nest products require Google Home ecosystem integration for full functionality
  • Smart home devices operate only within the Google Nest ecosystem; limited third-party interoperability
  • Support and product documentation dispersed across Google support rather than centralised Nest site

Pricing, plan by plan

IFTTT

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the IFTTT review.

Nest

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nest review.

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 Nest if

  • You need learning thermostat.
  • You work on Hardware, Mobile, Web.
  • You also want hd cameras.
Nest review

Questions people ask

Is IFTTT or Nest better?
Neither clearly leads. IFTTT starts at Free and Nest at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, IFTTT or Nest?
IFTTT has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for IFTTT and On request for Nest.
Does IFTTT or Nest run on more platforms?
IFTTT runs on Web, iOS, Android. Nest runs on Hardware, Mobile, Web.
Can I use IFTTT for free?
Yes. IFTTT has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Nest 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 Nest is typically brought in for.
What can IFTTT do that Nest cannot?
IFTTT covers If-then applets, Webhooks, Smart home integration, Social media. Nest covers Learning Thermostat, HD Cameras, Smart Alerts, Energy Savings. Both handle Web support.
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