Software · head to head
Losant vs Node-RED
Losant
Software
Cloud-based IoT platform with visualization and workflow automation
- 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: Losant no pricing is published at any tier, and the pricing page is a survey form rather than a rate card; 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: Losant covers Device Connectivity, Node-RED covers Visual Editor.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Losant and Node-RED actually diverge.
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 Losant
- Device Connectivity
- Data Visualization
- Workflow Engine
- Mobile app
- Dashboard builder
- Alert system
- Data export
- Mobile app 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.
Losant
- Building IoT applications with device management and visual workflowsnot Node-RED
- Collecting and acting on telemetry from connected equipmentnot Node-RED
Node-RED
- Wiring together devices, APIs and online services with a visual flow editornot Losant
- Building home and industrial automation logic on a local servernot Losant
- Prototyping MQTT and HTTP integrations without writing full applicationsnot Losant
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Losant
- No pricing is published at any tier, and the pricing page is a survey form rather than a rate card
- Device counts, data retention and payload allowances are all quoted rather than listed
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
Losant
Free- SandboxFree
- Limited devices
- Basic features
- Community support
- Enterprise$500/month
- Unlimited devices
- Advanced analytics
- Premium support
Node-RED
Free- Community EditionFree
- Visual editor
- Extensible
- REST API
Which should you pick?
Choose Losant if
- You need device connectivity.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard, Device integration.
- You also want data visualization.
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 Losant or Node-RED better?
- Neither clearly leads. Losant 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, Losant or Node-RED?
- Losant starts at Free and Node-RED at Free.
- Does Losant or Node-RED run on more platforms?
- Losant runs on Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard, Device integration. Node-RED runs on Node.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devices.
- Can I use Losant for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Losant best used for?
- Losant is most often used for building iot applications with device management and visual workflows, collecting and acting on telemetry from connected equipment. Of those, building iot applications with device management and visual workflows and collecting and acting on telemetry from connected equipment are not what Node-RED is typically brought in for.
- What can Losant do that Node-RED cannot?
- Losant covers Device Connectivity, Data Visualization, Workflow Engine, Mobile app. Node-RED covers Visual Editor, Flow-Based Programming, Extensible, HTTP Integration. Both handle REST API, Cloud support.