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Buffer

647
315
+ 1
101
IFTTT

298
287
+ 1
72
Zapier

1.6K
1.2K
+ 1
114

Buffer vs IFTTT vs Zapier: What are the differences?

Buffer, IFTTT, and Zapier are all popular automation tools that help streamline processes and tasks online. Each tool has its own unique features and functionalities. Here are key differences between Buffer, IFTTT, and Zapier:

  1. Integration Capabilities: Buffer focuses primarily on social media automation and scheduling, allowing users to manage multiple social accounts and schedule posts. IFTTT (If This Then That) offers a wide range of app integrations and allows users to create automated tasks (called applets) based on triggers and actions. Zapier, similar to IFTTT, offers integration with various apps, but it specializes in creating workflows (called Zaps) that enable multi-step integrations between different apps.

  2. Complexity of Automations: Buffer offers a straightforward user interface for scheduling and publishing social media content, making it easy to use even for beginners. IFTTT provides a simple way to create basic applets but lacks the complexity required for advanced workflows. Zapier, on the other hand, provides a more extensive range of customization options and integration possibilities, catering to users who require more advanced automations.

  3. Task Execution: Buffer primarily focuses on scheduling and publishing social media content, allowing users to curate and share posts. IFTTT operates on the principle of triggers and actions, where a trigger from one app can result in an action on another app. Zapier allows users to create complex workflows with multiple triggers and actions.

  4. Pricing Model: Buffer offers both a free plan and paid plans with additional features and social account support. IFTTT provides a free tier for basic users and a paid subscription for more advanced features and increased automation limits. Zapier, while also offering a free version with limited functionalities, primarily operates on a paid subscription model based on the number of Zaps and tasks required.

  5. Customization Options: Buffer provides basic customization options for post scheduling, but it may not cater to users looking for highly tailored automations. IFTTT offers a range of customization possibilities by allowing users to connect different apps and define triggers and actions. Zapier provides extensive customization options with its multi-step workflows, enabling users to create highly specific and customized automations.

In Summary, Buffer is focused on social media scheduling, IFTTT excels in connecting different apps through simple applets, and Zapier offers advanced integrations and complex workflows for those who require more robust automation capabilities.

Advice on Buffer, IFTTT, and Zapier
Needs advice
on
Tray.ioTray.io
and
ZapierZapier

Hey! We are Raisegiving, a payments platform geared towards helping nonprofits raise money and manage donors. We are looking to give our Users (Admins of nonprofits) the ability to integrate their Raisegiving account with other tools such as Mailchimp and QuickBooks.

Examples of desired use cases:

  • Users should be able to sync Raisegiving audience with their Mailchimp audience, trigger the creation of a new Mailchimp audience based on data from their Raisegiving account.
  • Donations made on our platform should sync with users Quickbooks account.

Does anyone have any helpful insights into the pros and cons of Tray.io vs Zapier?

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Replies (1)
Bob Bass
President & Full Stack Enginee at Narro, LLC · | 3 upvotes · 38.4K views
Recommends
on
ZapierZapier

Tray.io is expensive and only makes sense in a few rare occasions where you need 2-way constant data binding in a 'loop' where Zapier is more like an automation swiss army knife. Tray.io is aimed exclusively at enterprise while Zapier supports businesses of any size. Tray.io is very expensive and Zapier is much more reasonable especially early on before you have massive amounts of zaps.

You may also want to look at Integromat but Zapier would be my choice in this case. I almost don't see Tray.io as being something worth considering for your particular use case unless there's a massive scale behind your product that I'm unaware of (absurd amounts of tasks in the hundreds of thousands).

Zapier also has a great community and an "experts" program in the event that you want to outsource your automation.

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Pros of Buffer
Pros of IFTTT
Pros of Zapier
  • 50
    Super simple to schedule tweets
  • 24
    Buffer from my browser; integrates with my work flow
  • 9
    Awesome UI
  • 6
    Fair pricing
  • 4
    Weekly analytics report email
  • 3
    Re-buffer posts
  • 2
    Mobile App
  • 1
    Schedule tweets via API
  • 1
    Pablo for images
  • 1
    Easy to visualise time line
  • 21
    Lots of integrations
  • 17
    Free
  • 12
    Automates manual tasks
  • 11
    Life automation
  • 7
    Internet of things
  • 2
    Good User Experiance
  • 2
    Mobile Application
  • 45
    Sync cloud services
  • 34
    Easy setup
  • 15
    Scheduled tasks
  • 8
    Great customer support
  • 6
    Integrates with Trello
  • 6
    Gives me updates anytime, anywhere

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Cons of Buffer
Cons of IFTTT
Cons of Zapier
  • 1
    Re-buffering a lot of tweets is pretty painful
  • 1
    Mobile app could use some work
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      What is Buffer?

      Buffer helps you manage multiple social media accounts at once. Quickly schedule content from anywhere on the web, collaborate with team members, and analyze rich statistics on how your posts perform.

      What is IFTTT?

      It helps you connect all of your different apps and devices. You can enable your apps and devices to work together to do specific things they couldn't do otherwise.

      What is Zapier?

      Zapier is for busy people who know their time is better spent selling, marketing, or coding. Instead of wasting valuable time coming up with complicated systems - you can use Zapier to automate the web services you and your team are already using on a daily basis.

      Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

      What companies use Buffer?
      What companies use IFTTT?
      What companies use Zapier?

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      What tools integrate with Buffer?
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      Git is a free and open source distributed version control system designed to handle everything from small to very large projects with speed and efficiency.
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