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When it comes to home automation, especially IFTTT, abode takes the top spot with 27 actions, triggers, and queries.
Updated April 6, 2025
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If you use If This Then That (IFTTT) to automate tasks, you’ll be glad to know three security systems work with the platform. Our top pick, abode, uses applets to disarm the system when you arrive home and flash Hue light bulbs if the alarm is triggered.
Ring and Arlo also support triggers, queries, and actions for their equipment. As veteran IFTTT users, we tested all three security systems to see how they use home automation to better secure homes.
FYI: While many home security systems offer home automation, not all work with the IFTTT platform.
We believe the best way to make unbiased and trustworthy recommendations is by testing home security systems ourselves. We buy the equipment using our own money, install the systems in our homes, and test them for weeks or months. We get a feel for what it’s like to live with the devices and learn about the response times, apps, and features. These experiences help us rank and recommend the best security systems.
There are many factors to consider when testing home security systems, which means we need to find ways to even the playing field. One solution is testing all the equipment in the same home – a two-story, 2,200-square-foot house owned by one of our security experts. Using a real home instead of a lab allows us to simulate real-life scenarios and make better recommendations.
We also buy the same equipment for every test system and place them in identical locations. You can see where we typically install equipment below.
We took into account multiple factors when ranking the best home security systems that work with IFTTT. Using our knowledge and experience in the industry, these are the criteria we think are most important for IFTTT compatible systems.
Using these criteria, here is how our top five picks scored:
Rating The Best Security Systems That Work With IFTTT
We’re not like other websites that cover everything from printers to travel pillows. Our team of experts exclusively covers safety and security equipment. They are trained to thoroughly assess security systems and give our readers extensive and trustworthy recommendations. The experts who contributed to this review were:
Our team has over 75 years of combined experience, making us the most accomplished home security team on the internet. Since beginning in 2016, our work has been covered in multiple major outlets, including The Washington Post and The New York Times. As a team, we have achieved:
All of our recommendations are based on first-hand product experience and a deep understanding of the home security industry. Now, let’s learn more about our top picks for IFTTT security systems.
| System | abode | Ring Alarm | Arlo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| Rating | 8.0/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| Contract length | Monthly or yearly | Monthly or yearly | Monthly or yearly |
| Installation type | Professional or DIY | DIY | DIY |
| Smart capabilities cost | Free | Starting at $4.99 per month | Free |
| Equipment cost | Packages starting at $159.99 | Packages starting at $244.95 | Packages starting at $199.99 |
| Smart platform integrations | Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit | Alexa and Google Home | Alexa and Google Home |
| Review | abode review | Ring Alarm Security Kit review | Arlo review |
How did we decide on the best IFTTT-compatible home security systems? First, we had to find which security systems offered IFTTT support. Security systems like to advertise that they support IFTTT, so finding them was pretty easy.
Once we identified the systems that supported IFTTT from top brands in the industry, we ordered each company’s security system. Then, we installed them and tested the systems ourselves. We looked at the smart home capabilities, features, and how they performed day to day. And we’re sharing our experience with you here.
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
abode not only supports IFTTT automation but also has its own platform, CUE, which integrates Zigbee and Z-Wave smart home devices and lets you set up automations. You can also use abode’s Iota Hub as the central interface to manage everything in one place.
abode’s equipment is budget-friendly, with bundles starting from $159.99. For that price, you’ll get a security hub, mini entry sensor, and key fob. You can also add an abode cam 2, starting at $59.99 and a motion sensor for $39.99.
Abode has sleek, budget-friendly equipment, but not everything is compatible with its home automation system.
For home automation, you’ll need an abode package with the Smart Security Hub. These bundles start from $279.99, which is more than what Ring and Arlo charge for starter equipment packages.
There isn’t any specific component we can point to that really excels, aside from the Iota Hub with an integrated camera. We struggled to put the camera to much use, though. We wanted the hub to sit in the corner of the living, next to our router, and the camera doesn’t get a good vantage point from there. Still, a hub with a camera is a first for us.
The $59.99 abode Cam 2 was also solid for its price, but when comparing abode and Arlo, there’s no wireless option, which is restrictive. It still makes abode one of the most affordable home security systems.
The abode All-In-One Gateway has an HD camera and 93-decibel siren built-in.
FYI: It’s minor, but we learned that abode’s motion sensor has a 110-degree field-of-view (FOV), whereas most motion sensors have a 90-degree FOV. That extra 20 degrees isn’t going to make much of a difference, but we like to give credit where credit is due.
abode seamlessly integrates with IFTTT, with 27 actions, triggers, and queries available through the abode channel. One IFTTT applet we have triggers our Philips Hue bulbs in the backyard to turn on whenever someone (or something) moves past our abode camera positioned outside.
We found that it’s also possible to create automations using both CUE – abode’s IFTTT-like automation engine – and IFTTT. We have a CUE automation that turns on our entry light when someone opens the garage door. Separately, we have an IFTTT applet that unlocks the front door when we enter a zone right outside our house. Lastly, we used another applet to turn off the entry light once when we lock the door.
Pro Tip: While mixing the two automation engines works, I would suggest picking one or the other. It’s not easy to manage multiple automation platforms, especially when they have rules that depend on one another.
abode doesn’t charge a monthly fee to access IFTTT and smart home integrations. However, the trade-off is that you’ll need to self-monitor your system. If an alarm triggers, you’ll need to call 911; abode’s monitoring centers won’t do it for you. If you’re ok with that, we recommend the Standard Plan at $7.99 per month. It’s still a self-monitoring plan, but you’ll get access to the CUE platform as well.
For professional monitoring, you’ll need the Pro plan, which is $25.99 per month. It also includes cellular backup, which keeps your system online, even if the internet drops. Abode is one of the best contract-free security systems, so you can upgrade and downgrade whenever you want.
Pro Tip: Like Ring, you can get a discount if you pay your abode plan yearly. The Standard Plan is $21 cheaper and the Pro plan is $72 cheaper.
| Monitoring options | Professional and DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit |
| Equipment cost | From $159.99 |
| Monthly monitoring cost | From $7.99 |
| Contract length | Month-to-month |
Full disclosure, not all Ring Alarm products work with IFTTT. In fact, the only compatible Ring products are the Ring video doorbells and security cameras. But it’s here because Ring plays really well with smart home platforms. It’s also a part of the Amazon family, so it works great with Alexa. Alexa has stopped working with IFTTT since 2023, but it’s still a great smart home platform if you want to integrate voice control. With Ring working with both, you should have plenty of options to make your home smarter.
As we mentioned earlier, only Ring video doorbells and security cameras work with IFTTT. However, that’s where Ring’s equipment shines. While Ring’s products aren’t as affordable as abode’s Cam 2, they offer a better range. Ring cameras even have different power options including wired, battery-powered, and solar-powered. You can also choose outdoor cameras with spotlights or floodlights.
>> Compare: Ring Floodlight vs Spotlight
We bought multiple Ring cameras with different power sources to test their effectiveness.
Outside of cameras, Ring Alarm leaves a bit to be desired. First of all, it doesn’t have an actual smoke detector. It sells only a monitor that listens for the siren in your smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector. We also had a tough time connecting all of the equipment to our Wi-Fi when installing our system. But we loved the motion detector because it only sends relevant notifications, like when a package is delivered, and ignores minor movements, such as our dog walking by.
Pro Tip: Don’t overpay for your Ring Alarm security cameras and video doorbells! Follow our guide to getting the best deals on Ring security cameras and video doorbells for expert tips and tricks.
Although Ring integrates really well with Amazon Alexa, it’s a bit lacking in terms of its home automation capabilities. Using IFTTT, you can set only two triggers for your Ring Alarm security system. In comparison, abode lets you use 10 triggers to automate your home, and our next pick, Arlo, has five.
>> Check Out: Best Home Security Systems That Work With Alexa
With just two triggers, you can automate your home with Ring only based on someone ringing your video doorbell and someone walking in front of your video doorbell. But you can use Alexa’s home automation capabilities to make up for it. We created a series of routines, such as turning off all the lights when we go to bed and disarming the system when we arrive home.
We set up an IFTTT automation to blink our Hue light when the Ring video doorbell rings.
Ring plans start at $4.99 per month for one home doorbell or camera. You’ll also get up to 180 days of video event history, which is generous. During our ADT testing, we found they only offer up to 90 days of history in the ADT+ app.
If you have multiple cameras or want professional monitoring, you’ll need to upgrade to the Standard ($9.99 per month) or Premium plan ($19.99 per month). Professional monitoring costs an extra $10 on top of Ring’s subscription prices.
Pro Tip: Ring lets you save a few bucks by paying yearly instead of monthly. The savings are up to 20-percent on all plans. However, you’ll still need to pay full price for add-ons like professional monitoring and Virtual Security Guard.
| Monitoring Options | 24/7 professional and DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa |
| Equipment Cost | From $244.95 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | $4.99 |
| Contract Length | 1-12 months |
Arlo’s no stranger to the security industry, with 10 years of experience creating some of the best home security cameras on the market. Like abode, Arlo’s IFTTT integration doesn’t require a monthly subscription. It’s also customizable, easy to install, and offers discounts for paying for monitoring plans yearly instead of monthly.
Just like Ring Alarm, Arlo started out with just security cameras too. But, without the backing of Amazon, Arlo has taken a bit longer to roll out more security products. Currently, it offers a huge selection of security cameras, a single multipurpose sensor, and a keypad security hub. So, the system as a whole still emphasizes cameras, but at least you can set up a few entry sensors around your house.
Our Arlo Pro 5S 2K is one of the easiest outdoor security cameras we’ve set up.
FYI: While we think the idea of a multipurpose sensor is unnecessary, it does make installation a bit easier. See how Arlo stacks up against other camera-based security systems in our Blink vs. Arlo comparison.
Beyond the multipurpose sensor, Arlo has a huge selection of security cameras that range in price from $40 to $300. We particularly liked the integrated spotlight when we reviewed the Arlo Pro 4, as well as the long battery life with the option to purchase backup batteries. Arlo also makes one of the best 4K security cameras in the industry.
Even though we liked the equipment overall, we found the magnetic mounts to be a bit flimsy, and we always like the option for a glass-break sensor. That was one feature missing from the multipurpose sensor.
Pro Tip: Magnetic mounts are becoming more common with home security providers because they let you easily take the camera or sensor down anytime you want. But, to prevent a burglar from tampering with it, you need to install it correctly and seriously consider its location. Check out our guide on setting up Arlo security cameras for a step-by-step breakdown.
For using IFTTT to automate your home, Arlo lands between abode and Ring Alarm. It offers five triggers you can use to initiate other actions in your smart home. These triggers are:
We used the low-battery trigger to make sure we kept our cameras charged. Anytime a camera had a low battery level, we had IFTTT add “charge your cameras” to our calendar. It complements the app notifications we already get from Arlo.
We also set up IFTTT to flash our Philips Hue lights in the backyard when our Arlo camera sees something, but this time around, we made it so that the applet only triggers when a person is seen.
Lastly, we also set up an applet that would trigger the bedroom lamp to turn on when our Arlo camera in the living room picks up a loud noise – just in case we sleep through it.
There’s not a lot to unpack from Arlo boxes, which makes them easy to install.
Thankfully, you don’t need to pay any monthly fees with Arlo to use its IFTTT and other third-party integrations. In fact, you can use most of Arlo’s features without any subscription at all, including basic notifications.
However, we decided to subscribe to Arlo Secure, which has a generous free trial of three months that comes with all Arlo products. Once the free trial ends, you’ll pay $7.99 per month if you have one camera or $12.99 per month for as many cameras as you want to keep your 30 days of cloud storage in 4K resolution.
We recommend either Arlo Secure or Safe & Secure Pro, which includes 24/7 professional monitoring and cellular backup for $24.99 per month. That’s a bit more than Ring Alarm charges for monitoring but still nowhere near what companies like Vivint charge. When we tested Vivint, we paid only $29.99 per month, but its rates for professional monitoring can go well over $40 per month depending on your system.
Pro Tip: Arlo’s e911 feature is handy if there’s an emergency at home while you’re away on vacation. You can use the Arlo app to call 911 and it will connect you to emergency operators near your registered address, not your current location.
| Connectivity | Wi-fi, Ethernet |
|---|---|
| Power | Wired, battery, PoE |
| Field of View | Up to 180° |
| Resolution | Up to 2160p |
| Storage | Cloud |
| Smart Platform Compatibility | Alexa and Google Home |
When we reviewed Wyze, we discovered it has over 40 IFTTT triggers and actions. Unfortunately, these only apply to the cameras, not the security products.
Only Wyze Cams, like this one, work with IFTTT triggers and actions.
Wyze doesn’t just offer great security cameras, you can also get simple smart home equipment like motion sensors, keypads, and smart locks. The cameras are affordable – mostly less than $100 – but the features can go toe-to-toe with more expensive cameras on the market. Even the cheapest Wyze camera, the Wyze Cam v3 ($36), offers person detection and customizable activity zones. They also have free cloud storage plus a microSD card slot for local backup.
Our Vivint home security system, featuring the Vivint Smart Hub touch screen control panel.
Vivint technically isn’t IFTTT compatible, but it doesn’t need to be. The Vivint security system is already one of the most smart-home friendly security systems. It works with dozens of third-party smart home devices from smart lights to smart thermostats, and it’s able to automate them using rules – similar to how IFTTT applets are constructed.
Of course, as much as we love Vivint as a smart home security system, it wouldn’t be fair to include it in the top three of this list because it doesn’t work with IFTTT at all. But if you’re looking for an alternative – and a top-quality one at that – Vivint is a great choice.
If you want to automate your home’s smart devices, you’ll usually need a third-party application to connect all of your devices unless they’re all the same brand. That’s where IFTTT, which stands for If This Then That, comes in. It’s a free platform that lets apps and devices talk to each other. Basically, it lets you set up automation by creating rules that cause your smart devices to react to triggers. For example, you could create a rule that says when someone tags you in a photo on Facebook to save that photo to Dropbox.
abode’s CUE automation engine works a lot like IFTTT.
When it comes to home security, IFTTT lets your sensors and cameras trigger smart devices. This lets your house react to your movements; it’s cool watching your lights turn on as soon as you walk through the front door. You can also set more practical rules, like having your doors lock when an outdoor camera detects motion.
It does take a bit of time to get used to the IFTTT platform, but it will feel intuitive in no time once you get used to it, and the possibilities are endless.
Pro Tip: Explore the use of conditional logic and criteria to customize your IFTTT applets. Those are like programming codes that will let you customize in which conditions (i.e. time, weather, day) each applet should or should not run.
We set up IFTTT triggers and actions for both of these smart locks.
Automation takes the pressure off you to remember to arm your system, lock your doors, and secure your house. Here are a few specific ways you can use IFTTT to improve the security of your home:
>> Read More: The Best Smart Locks of 2025
IFTTT automations can also alert potential burglars that you have a working security system. And if we know anything about burglars, it’s that they generally avoid homes with a security system. According to our in-house home security research:
Unfortunately, IFTTT does not support every smart security device. Currently, it supports over 900 devices and apps, and that list keeps growing. A lot of companies try to lock you into their own ecosystem, which prevents some products from working with IFTTT.
You can check IFTTT’s website for a list of popular connections between devices, complete with premade rules you can use with your devices. This lets anyone easily start using IFTTT with their smart devices without any commitment or lengthy learning process.
Did You Know? Unlike Alexa that no longer supports IFTTT natively, Google’s voice assistant still works with IFTTT. If you have devices that don't work with Google Assistant but work with IFTTT, you can trigger them with your voice by creating an applet, naming it, and then having Google Assistant trigger the applet when you say, “Google, activate [applet name].”
Using IFTTT to automate your security system and other smart devices takes your home security up a notch. It can lock your doors when you leave, flash your lights if an intruder is detected, and alert you when doors or windows are left open. The possibilities really are endless when you use an IFTTT-compatible home security system.
Abode is the best option with its extensive range of triggers, queries, and actions. However, Ring and Arlo also work with IFTTT if you already have their equipment at home. With IFTTT supporting over 900 devices and counting, its capabilities continue to grow, making it even easier to secure your home.
No. The IFTTT platform was designed to be user-friendly. It gives you an easy interface to create your own automation, or you can use premade rules without ever needing to understand the “if this, then that” structure.
You do not need to know how to code or program to use IFTTT. It’s just an app you can download on your phone to connect smart devices and apps from different manufacturers.
To begin, we recommend creating a few simple rules. For example, turning on your lights when your morning alarm sounds. This will help you get familiar with the interface without the risk of disabling any parts of your security system.
Unfortunately, SimpliSafe does not offer support for IFTTT at this time.
Overall, we recommend abode for IFTTT-compatible security systems. It supports 10 triggers and 10 actions, which means you can automate with almost any aspect of your home security system.
