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Head-to-head · Task Automation Software

Make vs Node-RED

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Make #2 in Task Automation Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Make
Node-RED #6 in Task Automation Software 8.4/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Node-RED

Make leads on 0 checks, Node-RED on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMake · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly Make

Make scores higher on our rubric for task automation software: 9.2 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

Make is the better fit for broad, low-cost business workflow automation. Node-RED is the better fit for open-source flows for technical and IoT projects.

  • Make fits best

    Broad, low-cost business workflow automation

  • Node-RED fits best

    Open-source flows for technical and IoT projects

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Make 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Node-RED 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.4
Ranking #2 in Task Automation Software #6 in Task Automation Software
Best for Broad, low-cost business workflow automation Open-source flows for technical and IoT projects
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support Community, Docs · 24/7 Community, Docs
Integrations 3,000+ integrations 5 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Make 0/4 · Node-RED 0/4
Scheduled runs Not checked yet Not checked yet
App triggers Not checked yet Not checked yet
Browser automation Not checked yet Not checked yet
Desktop recorder Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Desktop support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Monthly run limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Workflow step limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Connects workflows to 3,000+ apps, APIs, and HTTP
  • Supports routers, filters, fallback routes, and data transformation
  • Includes webhooks, data stores, scheduling, and AI features
  • Browser-based visual editor with deployable flow nodes
  • JavaScript functions and JSONata support data processing
  • Runs across web, desktop, devices, Docker, cloud, and self-hosted environments
Cons
  • Free runs have a 15-minute minimum interval
  • Usage is measured through monthly credits
  • Advanced collaboration and security features require higher tiers
  • More technical than typical no-code SaaS automation tools
  • Verified integrations center on MQTT, HTTP, TCP, GPIO, and Arduino
  • No paid SaaS tiers with packaged plan-based features
Our verdict

Make is a visual workflow automation platform for businesses and teams that need to connect applications and APIs without coding. Its no-code builder supports automated scenarios, multi-step processes, data transformation, conditional…

Read the review →

Node-RED is an open-source, flow-based programming tool for building event-driven applications. Its browser-based editor lets developers connect nodes into deployable flows that process messages from services, devices, protocols, and APIs.…

Read the review →
  1. MakeTask Automation Software 9.2Free plan
  2. Node-REDTask Automation Software 8.4Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Make — where it wins

    • Connects workflows to 3,000+ apps, APIs, and HTTP
    • Supports routers, filters, fallback routes, and data transformation
    • Includes webhooks, data stores, scheduling, and AI features

    Where it doesn't

    • Free runs have a 15-minute minimum interval
    • Usage is measured through monthly credits
    • Advanced collaboration and security features require higher tiers

  • Node-RED — where it wins

    • Browser-based visual editor with deployable flow nodes
    • JavaScript functions and JSONata support data processing
    • Runs across web, desktop, devices, Docker, cloud, and self-hosted environments

    Where it doesn't

    • More technical than typical no-code SaaS automation tools
    • Verified integrations center on MQTT, HTTP, TCP, GPIO, and Arduino
    • No paid SaaS tiers with packaged plan-based features
  • Make9.2/10 · Free plan

    A flexible no-code automation platform with multi-step workflows and a free entry plan.

    Visit MakeFull verdict →
  • Node-RED8.4/10 · Open source

    A flexible open-source automation canvas for developers, IoT builders, and industrial teams.

    Visit Node-REDFull verdict →

More comparisons

All task automation software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update