IoT & Smart Home · head to head
Node-RED vs August Smart Lock
Node-RED
IoT & Smart Home
Flow-based programming tool for IoT and home automation
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
August Smart Lock
IoT & Smart Home
Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Node-RED has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: 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; August Smart Lock entry-level August Smart Lock ($149.99) has no built-in Wi-Fi and requires a separate Connect Wi-Fi Bridge for remote functionality
- They diverge on capability: Node-RED covers Visual Editor, August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Node-RED and August Smart Lock actually diverge.
| Attribute | Node-RED | August Smart Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | open-source | one-time |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Node.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devices | IOS, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2013 | 2012 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home).
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 Node-RED
- Visual Editor
- Flow-Based Programming
- Extensible
- HTTP Integration
- MQTT
- REST API
- WebSocket
- Database
Only in August Smart Lock
- Retrofit Design
- Auto-Unlock
- Guest Access
- Activity Log
- Alexa
- Google Home
- HomeKit
- SmartThings
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Node-RED
- Wiring together devices, APIs and online services with a visual flow editornot August Smart Lock
- Building home and industrial automation logic on a local servernot August Smart Lock
- Prototyping MQTT and HTTP integrations without writing full applicationsnot August Smart Lock
August Smart Lock
- Keyless entrynot Node-RED
- Guest accessnot Node-RED
- Remote unlocknot Node-RED
- Activity monitoringnot Node-RED
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
August Smart Lock
- Entry-level August Smart Lock ($149.99) has no built-in Wi-Fi and requires a separate Connect Wi-Fi Bridge for remote functionality
Pricing, plan by plan
Node-RED
Free- Community EditionFree
- Visual editor
- Extensible
- REST API
August Smart Lock
On request- Smart Lock$149/month
- Auto-lock
- Auto-unlock
- Guest access
- WiFi Smart Lock$249/month
- Built-in WiFi
- Remote access
- DoorSense
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose August Smart Lock if
- You need retrofit design.
- You work on IOS, Android, Web.
- You also want auto-unlock.
Questions people ask
- Is Node-RED or August Smart Lock better?
- Neither clearly leads. Node-RED starts at Free and August Smart Lock at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Node-RED or August Smart Lock?
- Node-RED has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Node-RED and On request for August Smart Lock.
- Does Node-RED or August Smart Lock run on more platforms?
- Node-RED runs on Node.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devices. August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web.
- Can I use Node-RED for free?
- Yes. Node-RED has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. August Smart Lock starts at On request.
- What is Node-RED best used for?
- Node-RED is most often used for wiring together devices, apis and online services with a visual flow editor, building home and industrial automation logic on a local server, prototyping mqtt and http integrations without writing full applications. Of those, wiring together devices, apis and online services with a visual flow editor and building home and industrial automation logic on a local server are not what August Smart Lock is typically brought in for.
- What can Node-RED do that August Smart Lock cannot?
- Node-RED covers Visual Editor, Flow-Based Programming, Extensible, HTTP Integration. August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log.