n8n vs Node-RED

n8n8.8Visit Node-RED8.4Visit

Higher score n8n #4 in Task Automation Software 8.8/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit n8n

vs

Node-RED #6 in Task Automation Software 8.4/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Node-RED

• n8n fits best

  Technical teams wanting flexible self-hosted automation

• Node-RED fits best

  Open-source flows for technical and IoT projects

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Side by side

Feature	n8n 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Node-RED 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.4
Ranking	#4 in Task Automation Software	#6 in Task Automation Software
Best for	Technical teams wanting flexible self-hosted automation	Open-source flows for technical and IoT projects
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	€20/mo	Open source
Free plan	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Free trial	14 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Web	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support	Community, Email	Community, Docs
Integrations	2,192+ integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features n8n 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	Community Edition supports standard self-hosted deployment 2,192 native connectors plus custom API requests Branching, code steps, webhooks, logging, and AI workflows	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	Hosted Starter and Pro plans require annual billing Business starts at €667 per month Advanced capabilities may suit technical teams more than nontechnical users	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	n8n is a node-based workflow automation platform for connecting applications, APIs, databases, and internal tools. It is designed for solo builders, small teams, technical teams, and organizations that need self-hosting, governance, or… 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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• n8n — where it wins

  • Community Edition supports standard self-hosted deployment
  • 2,192 native connectors plus custom API requests
  • Branching, code steps, webhooks, logging, and AI workflows

  Where it doesn't

  • Hosted Starter and Pro plans require annual billing
  • Business starts at €667 per month
  • Advanced capabilities may suit technical teams more than nontechnical users

• 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

• n8n8.8/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

  Flexible automation with self-hosting, code steps, and broad connector coverage.

  Visit n8nFull verdict →
• Node-RED8.4/10 · Open source

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

  Visit Node-REDFull verdict →