Software · head to head
Arduino Cloud vs Node-RED
Arduino Cloud
Software
Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Node-RED
Software
Flow-based programming tool for IoT and home automation
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Arduino Cloud the free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention; Node-RED the Node-RED editor ships unsecured: anyone who can reach its IP address can open the editor and deploy changes until adminAuth is configured
- They diverge on capability: Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Node-RED covers Visual Editor.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Arduino Cloud and Node-RED actually diverge.
| Attribute | Arduino Cloud | Node-RED |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | open-source |
| Platforms | Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard | Node.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devices |
| Founded | 2005 | 2013 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Arduino Cloud
- Device Connectivity
- Cloud Storage
- Real-Time Sync
- Security
- Arduino IDE
- Mobile app
- Integration services
- Arduino devices support
Only in Node-RED
- Visual Editor
- Flow-Based Programming
- Extensible
- HTTP Integration
- MQTT
- WebSocket
- Database
- Social services
Both cover
- REST API
- Cloud support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Arduino Cloud
- Connecting Arduino boards to a cloud dashboardnot Node-RED
- Over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devicesnot Node-RED
- Logging sensor data and charting it over timenot Node-RED
- Triggering notifications from device thresholdsnot Node-RED
- Classroom IoT projects on the School plannot Node-RED
Node-RED
- Wiring together devices, APIs and online services with a visual flow editornot Arduino Cloud
- Building home and industrial automation logic on a local servernot Arduino Cloud
- Prototyping MQTT and HTTP integrations without writing full applicationsnot Arduino Cloud
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Arduino Cloud
- The free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention
- Free accounts are limited to 25 compilations a day and 10 trigger notifications a day
- The Maker plan at $72 a year lifts devices to 25 and retention to 3 months, still for a single user
- Team pricing jumps to $1,000 a year
- Two years of data retention and unlimited ingestion require Enterprise
Node-RED
- The Node-RED editor ships unsecured: anyone who can reach its IP address can open the editor and deploy changes until adminAuth is configured
- HTTPS is off by default and must be enabled through the https setting
- HTTP endpoints and dashboards exposed by flows are unauthenticated unless httpNodeAuth is configured separately
- All three security layers are optional additions the administrator must implement by editing the settings file
Pricing, plan by plan
Arduino Cloud
Free- MakerFree
- 2 devices
- Basic features
- Cloud access
- Maker Plus$7/month
- Up to 10 devices
- Advanced features
- Better storage
Node-RED
Free- Community EditionFree
- Visual editor
- Extensible
- REST API
Which should you pick?
Choose Arduino Cloud if
- You need device connectivity.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard.
- You also want cloud storage.
Choose Node-RED if
- You need visual editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Node.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devices.
- You also want flow-based programming.
Questions people ask
- Is Arduino Cloud or Node-RED better?
- Neither clearly leads. Arduino Cloud starts at Free and Node-RED at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Arduino Cloud or Node-RED?
- Arduino Cloud starts at Free and Node-RED at Free.
- Does Arduino Cloud or Node-RED run on more platforms?
- Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard. Node-RED runs on Node.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devices.
- Can I use Arduino Cloud for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Arduino Cloud best used for?
- Arduino Cloud is most often used for connecting arduino boards to a cloud dashboard, over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devices, logging sensor data and charting it over time, triggering notifications from device thresholds. Of those, connecting arduino boards to a cloud dashboard and over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devices are not what Node-RED is typically brought in for.
- What can Arduino Cloud do that Node-RED cannot?
- Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security. Node-RED covers Visual Editor, Flow-Based Programming, Extensible, HTTP Integration. Both handle REST API, Cloud support.