Its time to compare these three powerful options to see which is the best, and for whom.

Want to save every photo youre tagged in on Facebook to your Dropbox account for safe keeping?

Automation makes that happen behind the scenes, without you lifting a finger.

Lets take a look at each of them:

IFTTT: IFTTT is super easy to use.

As the name suggests, you set up a trigger: thats the if.

On Android,IFTTT and Taskerwork very similarly.

Zapier: Zapier works just like IFTTT, but instead of recipes the service calls your actions zaps.

Zapier is also more customizable.

That said, Zapier doesnt have mobile apps.

Its also not free.

Microsoft Flow:Flow is the newest automation tool on the blockand its the most limited.

As youd expect, Flows strength is its integration with Microsoft apps and services.

Flow works like IFTTT, with two-step automation recipes called templates.

Also like IFTTT, you’ve got the option to browse other peoples templates or share your own.

But hey, at least theres also aniPhone version.

For now, Flow is free as long as its in preview.

Which works best for you depends entirely on your needs.

The main obvious distinction between Zapier and IFTTT is the bang out of app.

Flow does support a handful of third-party apps, including Slack, Facebook, and Instagram.

IFTTT supports mostly consumer-facing software.

Pretty much all of IFTTTs recipes come from apps common users need, fromFacebooktoSpotify.

For example, youll likely experience a bit of a delay with some recipes.

Its rarely a long delay, but its definitely not as instantaneous as Zapier tends to be.

Where IFTTT focuses on connected devices and common web apps, Zapier taps into the business world.

Which isnt to say Zapier doesnt have plenty of consumer-friendly app integrations.

It certainly works with apps like Wunderlist, Evernote, or Dropbox.

This is most obvious if you take a look atZapiers explore page.

Otherwise, you end up wasting more time setting it up then youll save.

This is where things start to break down.

IFTTT and Flow are definitely the easiest to use, but you could dotonsmore with Zapier.

IFTTT and Flow both work under a simple idea: a single trigger leads to an action.

This makes IFTTT and Flow easy to set up and start using right away.

Dont know why or how youd use IFTTT?

Just look at all the recipes other people have created and use the ones you like.

Creating your own template works just like it does in IFTTT.

Pick your trigger, then your action, and youre done.

However, all of these services arealsosupported by IFTTT.

Because of the amount of customization Zapier affords, its a little more overwhelming than IFTTT at the start.

It can be as simple as IFTTT, with just one trigger leading to one action.

Or it’s possible for you to make it so one trigger leads to several actions.

IFTTT is clearly the winner here.

More importantly though, the IF app is fully-featured.

Microsoft Flow is only available on iPhone right now and is just a wrapper for the web version.

In fact, when you give a shot to create a template, youre taken to the web site.

If youre a casual user looking to automate a few basic things, go with IFTTT.

Implementing the popular zaps you find isnt as easy either.

At a glance, it works exactly like IFTTT, but in an extremely limited capacity.

Right now, theres no reason to use it other than pure curiosity.