IoT & Smart Home · head to head
Node-RED vs Google Home
Node-RED
IoT & Smart Home
Flow-based programming tool for IoT and home automation
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Google Home
IoT & Smart Home
Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- 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; Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
- They diverge on capability: Node-RED covers Visual Editor, Google Home covers Google Assistant.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Node-RED and Google Home actually diverge.
| Attribute | Node-RED | Google Home |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | Unknown |
| Platforms | Node.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devices | iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS |
| Founded | 2013 | 2016 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Google Home
- Google Assistant
- Voice Control
- Routines
- Multi-Room Audio
- 10,000+ devices
- Nest products
- Chromecast
- Third-party apps
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 Google Home
- Building home and industrial automation logic on a local servernot Google Home
- Prototyping MQTT and HTTP integrations without writing full applicationsnot Google Home
Google Home
- Controlling and automating smart home devicesnot Node-RED
- Viewing Nest camera feedsnot Node-RED
- Creating automation routinesnot Node-RED
- Managing household device settingsnot Node-RED
- Voice control via Google Assistantnot 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
Google Home
- Web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
- Battery-camera live streams on the web app auto-stop after 5 minutes
- Requires compatible Google/Nest or third-party smart-home hardware - it is a control app, not a standalone product
Pricing, plan by plan
Node-RED
Free- Community EditionFree
- Visual editor
- Extensible
- REST API
Google Home
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.
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 Google Home if
- You need google assistant.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
- You also want voice control.
Questions people ask
- Is Node-RED or Google Home better?
- Neither clearly leads. Node-RED starts at Free and Google Home at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Node-RED or Google Home?
- Node-RED starts at Free and Google Home at Free.
- Does Node-RED or Google Home run on more platforms?
- Node-RED runs on Node.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devices. Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
- Can I use Node-RED for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- 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 Google Home is typically brought in for.
- What can Node-RED do that Google Home cannot?
- Node-RED covers Visual Editor, Flow-Based Programming, Extensible, HTTP Integration. Google Home covers Google Assistant, Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio.