IoT & Smart Home · head to head
Node-RED vs Home Assistant
Node-RED
IoT & Smart Home
Flow-based programming tool for IoT and home automation
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Home Assistant
IoT & Smart Home
Open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first
- 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; Home Assistant add-ons run only on Home Assistant Operating System installations, and Container installations have no access to them
- They diverge on capability: Node-RED covers Visual Editor, Home Assistant covers Local Control.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Node-RED and Home Assistant actually diverge.
| Attribute | Node-RED | Home Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Node.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devices | Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home), 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 Node-RED
- Visual Editor
- Flow-Based Programming
- Extensible
- HTTP Integration
- MQTT
- WebSocket
- Database
- Social services
Only in Home Assistant
- Local Control
- Privacy First
- Automation Engine
- Custom Integrations
- 150+ integrations
- Voice Control
- Mobile App
- Linux support
Both cover
- REST API
- Docker support
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 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
Home Assistant
- Home automationnot Node-RED
- Energy monitoringnot Node-RED
- Security systemsnot Node-RED
- Device integrationnot 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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Node-RED
Free- Community EditionFree
- Visual editor
- Extensible
- REST API
Home Assistant
Free- Community EditionFree
- Unlimited devices
- Full automation
- Local control
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 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.
Questions people ask
- Is Node-RED or Home Assistant better?
- Neither clearly leads. Node-RED starts at Free and Home Assistant at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Node-RED or Home Assistant?
- Node-RED starts at Free and Home Assistant at Free.
- Does Node-RED or Home Assistant run on more platforms?
- Node-RED runs on Node.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devices. Home Assistant runs on Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows.
- 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 Home Assistant is typically brought in for.
- What can Node-RED do that Home Assistant cannot?
- Node-RED covers Visual Editor, Flow-Based Programming, Extensible, HTTP Integration. Home Assistant covers Local Control, Privacy First, Automation Engine, Custom Integrations. Both handle REST API, Docker support.