Node-RED
Visual wiring for events, APIs, and devices; friendly until the payload turns into JavaScript.
Technical Profile & Specs
verified 2026-08-10
- Cost
- $0 / forever (Open Source)
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Hosting Model
- Local or hosted (your machine or their cloud)
- Platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- Installation
- Install globally with npm, use a platform package, or run the official Docker image
- Operational Setup
- Installation is clean, but exposing the editor safely requires authentication and TLS, and many real automations eventually demand JavaScript, third-party nodes, API credentials, and debugging raw message payloads.
- Where Your Data Lives
- Flows are JSON files in the Node-RED user directory, credentials are stored separately in an encrypted credentials JSON file, settings and installed nodes live beside them, and context can be held in memory or configured file-system/custom stores.
- The Catch / Trade-off
- Node-RED's visual canvas still exposes messages, nodes, JavaScript, credentials, and hosting, while IFTTT hides those details behind maintained consumer connectors and mobile applets.
Replaces 1 paid app
up to $2.99/mo ($36/yr) in subscriptions
Node-RED FAQ
Common questions
Is Node-RED free and open source?+
Node-RED is an open-source tool licensed under Apache-2.0 that runs on local or hosted. Visual wiring for events, APIs, and devices; friendly until the payload turns into JavaScript.
What paid software does Node-RED replace?+
Node-RED serves as a free replacement for 1 paid SaaS application: IFTTT, saving up to $2.99/month ($36/year) in subscription bills.
How do you install and set up Node-RED?+
Installation: Install globally with npm, use a platform package, or run the official Docker image. Setup notes: Installation is clean, but exposing the editor safely requires authentication and TLS, and many real automations eventually demand JavaScript, third-party nodes, API credentials, and debugging raw message payloads.
What is the catch or trade-off with Node-RED?+
Node-RED's visual canvas still exposes messages, nodes, JavaScript, credentials, and hosting, while IFTTT hides those details behind maintained consumer connectors and mobile applets.