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Remote Work · head to head

IFTTT vs OpenHAB

IFTTT logo

IFTTT

Remote Work

Automate almost anything with IFTTT

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenHAB logo

OpenHAB

Smart Home

Open source automation software for your home

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: IFTTT free plan limited to only 2 applets total; OpenHAB requires a 64-bit Java 21 JVM to be installed and maintained separately
  • They diverge on capability: IFTTT covers If-then applets, OpenHAB covers Vendor Agnostic.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which IFTTT and OpenHAB actually diverge.

Attributes where IFTTT and OpenHAB differ
AttributeIFTTTOpenHAB
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidLinux, Windows, MacOS, Docker, Raspberry Pi
CategoryRemote WorkSmart Home
Founded20112010

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 OpenHAB

  • Vendor Agnostic
  • Rule Engine
  • 200+ Bindings
  • Local Processing
  • Z-Wave
  • Zigbee
  • MQTT
  • REST API

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

OpenHAB

  • Self-hosted vendor neutral home automation hubnot IFTTT
  • Bridging smart home devices from different manufacturers under one set of rulesnot 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

OpenHAB

  • Requires a 64-bit Java 21 JVM to be installed and maintained separately
  • Oracle Java is explicitly not recommended by the project because of potential licensing restrictions
  • The recommended hardware is a dedicated Raspberry Pi 4 or newer rather than shared hardware
  • Some version upgrades require additional manual steps run through a separate upgrade tool

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

OpenHAB

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Unlimited devices
    • 200+ bindings
    • Local control

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 OpenHAB if

  • You need vendor agnostic.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, MacOS, Docker, Raspberry Pi.
  • You also want rule engine.
OpenHAB review

Questions people ask

Is IFTTT or OpenHAB better?
Neither clearly leads. IFTTT starts at Free and OpenHAB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, IFTTT or OpenHAB?
IFTTT starts at Free and OpenHAB at Free.
Does IFTTT or OpenHAB run on more platforms?
IFTTT runs on Web, iOS, Android. OpenHAB runs on Linux, Windows, MacOS, Docker, Raspberry Pi.
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 OpenHAB is typically brought in for.
What can IFTTT do that OpenHAB cannot?
IFTTT covers If-then applets, Webhooks, Smart home integration, Social media. OpenHAB covers Vendor Agnostic, Rule Engine, 200+ Bindings, Local Processing.

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
OpenHAB: How much does openHAB cost?

openHAB is 100% open source and completely free to download, install, and use across all supported platforms.

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
OpenHAB: Are there any subscription fees for openHAB?

No, openHAB has no subscription fees. The software is free and released under an open source license for unlimited use.

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
OpenHAB: How can I support openHAB?

While openHAB is free to use, the project accepts voluntary donations through the openHAB Foundation to support development and maintenance.

Source
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