Table of Contents
Introduction
Workflow automation tools have become essential for businesses looking to streamline processes and increase productivity. Among the many options available, n8n and Node-RED stand out as popular choices for developers and technical teams, each with its own strengths and limitations.
This comprehensive comparison will help you understand the key differences between n8n and Node-RED, enabling you to make an informed decision about which tool better suits your specific automation needs.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | n8n | Node-RED |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Business automation | IoT and event-driven applications |
| Deployment | Self-hosted or cloud | Self-hosted only |
| Pricing Model | Open-source core, paid cloud | Fully open-source |
| Runtime | Node.js | Node.js |
| Community Size | Growing | Large and established |
The table above highlights some of the fundamental differences between n8n and Node-RED. While n8n focuses on business automation with a mix of cloud and self-hosted options, Node-RED excels in IoT and event-driven applications with its fully open-source approach and established community.
Pricing Comparison
n8n Pricing
- Self-hosted (open-source): Free, with limitations on commercial use
- n8n Cloud: Starts at $20/month for 10,000 executions
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Node-RED Pricing
- Open-source: Completely free and open-source under the Apache 2.0 license
- IBM Cloud: Available as part of IBM Cloud services with various pricing tiers
- Third-party hosting: Various providers offer Node-RED hosting with different pricing models
From a pricing perspective, Node-RED offers a more straightforward approach with its fully open-source model, making it cost-effective for organizations with the technical resources to self-host. n8n provides a balance between open-source self-hosting and managed cloud options, which may be preferable for organizations seeking a more hands-off approach.
Feature Comparison
n8n Features
- Visual Workflow Editor: Flowchart-style editor for complex workflows
- Code Nodes: JavaScript functions for custom logic
- Data Mapping: Advanced data transformation capabilities
- Error Handling: Sophisticated error workflows and retry mechanisms
- Webhooks: Create and manage webhooks easily
- Self-hosting: Complete control over your data and infrastructure
Node-RED Features
- Flow-based Programming: Visual editor for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services
- Node.js Based: Lightweight runtime ideal for edge devices and IoT applications
- Extensive Node Library: Large collection of community-contributed nodes
- Dashboard: Built-in dashboard for creating user interfaces
- Context Store: Persistent storage for flow data
- IoT Protocols: Native support for MQTT, TCP, UDP, and other IoT protocols
n8n excels in business process automation with its focus on API integrations and data transformations. Node-RED, on the other hand, shines in IoT and event-driven applications with its lightweight runtime and extensive support for hardware and protocol-specific nodes.
Ease of Use
n8n User Experience
n8n's interface is designed with a focus on business automation workflows. Its node-based editor provides a visual representation of data flow between different services and actions. The platform offers a clean, modern interface with helpful documentation and tooltips, though it still requires some technical understanding to use effectively.
Node-RED User Experience
Node-RED features a flow-based programming environment that's highly visual and intuitive for developers. Its interface is designed with a focus on connecting hardware devices, APIs, and online services. The platform has been refined over many years, resulting in a stable and well-documented user experience that's particularly suited to IoT applications.
Both tools require some technical knowledge, but they cater to slightly different audiences. n8n's interface is more oriented toward business automation and API integrations, while Node-RED's interface is optimized for IoT and event-driven applications. Developers familiar with JavaScript will feel comfortable with both platforms.
Integration Capabilities
n8n offers around 200+ pre-built integrations focused on business applications, SaaS platforms, and API services. Its strength lies in connecting cloud services and business tools, with a growing library of integrations. Additionally, n8n's HTTP Request nodes and JavaScript functions allow you to connect to virtually any API.
Node-RED has a vast library of over 3,000 community-contributed nodes, with particular strength in IoT protocols, hardware integrations, and industrial systems. Its ecosystem includes nodes for MQTT, TCP/UDP, serial ports, Modbus, and many other protocols and devices commonly used in IoT and industrial automation.
The integration capabilities of these platforms reflect their different focus areas. n8n is stronger for business automation and API integrations, while Node-RED excels in IoT, hardware integration, and protocol support. For organizations working at the intersection of these domains, using both tools for their respective strengths might be the optimal approach.
Best Use Cases
When to Choose n8n
- For business process automation and workflow orchestration
- When integrating multiple SaaS platforms and business applications
- For teams that need both self-hosted and cloud deployment options
- When advanced data transformation and mapping capabilities are required
- For organizations that prefer a more modern, business-oriented interface
When to Choose Node-RED
- For IoT applications and hardware integration
- When working with industrial protocols and systems
- For edge computing and local processing of data
- When a large community and extensive node library are important
- For organizations that prefer a fully open-source solution with no licensing restrictions
Conclusion
Both n8n and Node-RED are powerful workflow automation platforms with distinct advantages. Your choice between them should be guided by your specific use cases, technical requirements, and organizational needs.
n8n offers a more business-oriented approach to automation, with a focus on API integrations, data transformations, and workflow orchestration. Its mix of self-hosted and cloud options provides flexibility for different deployment scenarios.
Node-RED excels in IoT and event-driven applications, with its lightweight runtime, extensive protocol support, and large community of contributors. Its fully open-source nature makes it an attractive option for organizations that prioritize openness and community support.
For many organizations, especially those working across business automation and IoT domains, using both tools for their respective strengths might be the optimal approach. n8n can handle business process automation and SaaS integration, while Node-RED can manage IoT devices, protocols, and edge computing scenarios.
AI Work Portal Team
Experts in automation tools and AI workflow solutions