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Smart Home · head to head

Hubitat Elevation vs Node-RED

Hubitat Elevation logo

Hubitat Elevation

Smart Home

Local home automation hub for advanced users

From
$189.95/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Node-RED logo

Node-RED

Smart Home

Flow-based programming tool for IoT and home automation

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Node-RED has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Hubitat Elevation limited app ecosystem compared to Amazon Alexa or Google Home platforms; 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: Hubitat Elevation covers Local Processing, Node-RED covers Visual Editor.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hubitat Elevation and Node-RED actually diverge.

Attributes where Hubitat Elevation and Node-RED differ
AttributeHubitat ElevationNode-RED
Starting price$189.95/one-timeFree
Pricing modelUnknownopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsLocal hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android)Node.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devices
Founded20162013

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (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 Hubitat Elevation

  • Local Processing
  • Rule Machine
  • Z-Wave Plus
  • Zigbee 3.0
  • Dashboard
  • Voice assistants
  • Custom apps
  • Physical hub support

Only in Node-RED

  • Visual Editor
  • Flow-Based Programming
  • Extensible
  • HTTP Integration
  • REST API
  • WebSocket
  • Database
  • Social services

Both cover

  • MQTT

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Hubitat Elevation

  • Advanced automationnot Node-RED
  • Local controlnot Node-RED
  • Complex rulesnot Node-RED
  • Multi-protocol integrationnot Node-RED

Node-RED

  • Low-code event-driven application developmentnot Hubitat Elevation
  • IoT and device integration workflowsnot Hubitat Elevation
  • Visual programming for server-side integrationsnot Hubitat Elevation

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Hubitat Elevation

  • Limited app ecosystem compared to Amazon Alexa or Google Home platforms
  • Requires purchase of hub hardware; no free tier

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

Hubitat Elevation

$189.95/one-time
  • Hub Hardware$189.95/one-time
    • Z-Wave Plus 800 and Zigbee 3.0
    • Matter 1.5 support
    • Local automation engine
  • Cloud Backup (optional)$30/year
    • Cloud backup of automations
    • Automatic backups
  • Remote Admin (optional)$36/year
    • Remote access via cloud
    • Mobile app remote control

Node-RED

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Visual editor
    • Extensible
    • REST API

Which should you pick?

Choose Hubitat Elevation if

  • You need local processing.
  • You work on Local hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android).
  • You also want rule machine.
Hubitat Elevation review

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.
Node-RED review

Questions people ask

Is Hubitat Elevation or Node-RED better?
Neither clearly leads. Hubitat Elevation starts at $189.95/one-time and Node-RED at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hubitat Elevation or Node-RED?
Node-RED has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $189.95/one-time for Hubitat Elevation and Free for Node-RED.
Does Hubitat Elevation or Node-RED run on more platforms?
Hubitat Elevation runs on Local hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android). Node-RED runs on Node.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devices.
Can I use Node-RED for free?
Yes. Node-RED has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Hubitat Elevation starts at $189.95/one-time.
What is Hubitat Elevation best used for?
Hubitat Elevation is most often used for advanced automation, local control, complex rules, multi-protocol integration. Of those, advanced automation and local control are not what Node-RED is typically brought in for.
What can Hubitat Elevation do that Node-RED cannot?
Hubitat Elevation covers Local Processing, Rule Machine, Z-Wave Plus, Zigbee 3.0. Node-RED covers Visual Editor, Flow-Based Programming, Extensible, HTTP Integration. Both handle MQTT.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Hubitat Elevation: Does Hubitat require a cloud connection or subscription?

No. All automations and device control run locally without cloud dependency. Hubitat does not require subscriptions for core features; optional cloud backup ($30/year) and remote admin ($36/year) are available.

Source
Node-RED: Is Node-RED free?

Yes, Node-RED is completely free and open source. It is available under the MIT License through GitHub and npm package manager. The project is maintained by the OpenJS Foundation.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: How many devices can Hubitat control?

The Hubitat Elevation Model C-8 supports 1,000+ devices across 100+ brands through Zigbee, Z-Wave 800 Long Range, Matter 1.5, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi protocols.

Source
Node-RED: Does Node-RED offer commercial support?

Node-RED itself is free and community-supported. FlowFuse, Inc. was founded in 2021 as a separate commercial entity offering enterprise support and a professional platform for Node-RED deployment, but FlowFuse is not Node-RED.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: Does Hubitat work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit?

Yes. Hubitat integrates with Alexa and Google Home for voice control, and also supports Apple HomeKit via direct integration for HomeKit devices.

Source
Node-RED: What is Node-RED pricing model?

Node-RED has no pricing model. It is completely free open source software. Commercial support and hosting options may be available separately through third-party providers like FlowFuse, but the core software is not sold.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: What is the difference between the C-7 and C-8 models?

The C-8 ($189.95) features Z-Wave Plus 800, Zigbee 3.0, and expanded memory for handling complex automation. The C-7 is an older model with fewer protocol options and lower performance.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: Can I access my hub remotely?

Yes. Local area network (LAN) access is always available. Remote access via the Hubitat mobile app and cloud services requires an optional subscription ($36/year for remote admin).

Source
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