12 Jan 2026 • 07:14
3 min read
If you want to remove repetitive steps from your day, pick one tool and test one workflow first. Each tool below can move data, trigger actions, or run scripts without heavy setup.
This article focuses on what the tools do, who they suit, and when they make sense in everyday work. Links point to official plan or quota pages so you can check free limits before you start.
Zapier connects hundreds of web apps with a simple trigger-and-action model. It is a good fit if you want a no-code interface to move data between email, spreadsheets, CRM, and task apps.
The free plan includes basic two-step automations and a monthly task allowance, which is enough for lightweight personal workflows. See details on Zapier’s free plan.
IFTTT excels at quick single-trigger automations such as saving attachments, posting to social channels, or connecting smart home devices. It is best for straightforward rules that don’t need complex branching.
The service still offers a free tier with limits on the number of custom applets, making it suitable for personal automations and home setups. The plans page shows what the free tier permits on this page.
Make uses a visual canvas to build multi-step workflows and conditional logic. Use it when you need more control than basic two-step automations but want to avoid writing code.
The free tier provides a modest monthly operation allowance and access to many integrations, which is useful for testing automations before scaling. Pricing and the free plan summary are available on Make’s pricing page.
Google Apps Script runs small JavaScript programs that automate Gmail, Sheets, Drive, and Calendar tasks. It suits people who are comfortable with light scripting and want tight integration with Google Workspace.
Scripts run within free quota limits that reset daily, so this is a low-cost way to automate reporting, email parsing, or scheduled exports. See current quotas and limits on Google’s quotas page.
GitHub Actions runs workflows in response to repository events. It is useful beyond code: you can automate document builds, data exports, and scheduled jobs tied to a repo.
Actions are free for public repositories and include monthly minutes and storage for private accounts, which makes it a practical choice if you already store assets in GitHub. Billing and free-use details are documented in GitHub’s Actions billing guide.
Choose by integration needs, technical comfort, and volume. For quick device or personal automations, try IFTTT. For many app-to-app flows, Zapier is simplest. For richer logic without code, use Make.
Use Google Apps Script when you need deep Google Workspace control and the budget is constrained. Choose GitHub Actions when your workflows live next to files in a repository or when public-runner free use fits your needs.
