Software · head to head
Home Assistant vs Node-RED
Home Assistant
Software
Open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first
- 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: Home Assistant add-ons run only on Home Assistant Operating System installations, and Container installations have no access to them; 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: Home Assistant covers Local Control, Node-RED covers Visual Editor.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Home Assistant and Node-RED actually diverge.
| Attribute | Home Assistant | Node-RED |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows | Node.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devices |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2013).
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 Home Assistant
- Local Control
- Privacy First
- Automation Engine
- Custom Integrations
- 150+ integrations
- Voice Control
- Mobile App
- Linux support
Only in Node-RED
- Visual Editor
- Flow-Based Programming
- Extensible
- HTTP Integration
- MQTT
- WebSocket
- Database
- Social services
Both cover
- REST API
- Docker support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Home Assistant
- Home automationnot Node-RED
- Energy monitoringnot Node-RED
- Security systemsnot Node-RED
- Device integrationnot Node-RED
Node-RED
- Wiring together devices, APIs and online services with a visual flow editornot Home Assistant
- Building home and industrial automation logic on a local servernot Home Assistant
- Prototyping MQTT and HTTP integrations without writing full applicationsnot Home Assistant
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Home Assistant
- Add-ons run only on Home Assistant Operating System installations, and Container installations have no access to them
- Thread and Z-Wave are controlled by add-ons, so a Container install has no out-of-the-box support for either
- A Container installation means bringing your own Linux host with Docker and handling updates by hand
- The recommended install path expects dedicated hardware such as a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with at least 2 GB of RAM, an Odroid, or an x86-64 machine
- Every documented hardware option requires a wired Ethernet connection
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
Home Assistant
Free- Community EditionFree
- Unlimited devices
- Full automation
- Local control
Node-RED
Free- Community EditionFree
- Visual editor
- Extensible
- REST API
Which should you pick?
Choose Home Assistant if
- You need local control.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows.
- You also want privacy first.
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 Home Assistant or Node-RED better?
- Neither clearly leads. Home Assistant 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, Home Assistant or Node-RED?
- Home Assistant starts at Free and Node-RED at Free.
- Does Home Assistant or Node-RED run on more platforms?
- Home Assistant runs on Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows. Node-RED runs on Node.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devices.
- Can I use Home Assistant for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Home Assistant best used for?
- Home Assistant is most often used for home automation, energy monitoring, security systems, device integration. Of those, home automation and energy monitoring are not what Node-RED is typically brought in for.
- What can Home Assistant do that Node-RED cannot?
- Home Assistant covers Local Control, Privacy First, Automation Engine, Custom Integrations. Node-RED covers Visual Editor, Flow-Based Programming, Extensible, HTTP Integration. Both handle REST API, Docker support.