Software · head to head
Node-RED vs Losant
Node-RED
Software
Flow-based programming tool for IoT and home automation
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Losant
Software
Cloud-based IoT platform with visualization and workflow automation
- 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; Losant no pricing is published at any tier, and the pricing page is a survey form rather than a rate card
- They diverge on capability: Node-RED covers Visual Editor, Losant covers Device Connectivity.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Node-RED and Losant 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 Node-RED
- Visual Editor
- Flow-Based Programming
- Extensible
- HTTP Integration
- MQTT
- WebSocket
- Database
- Social services
Only in Losant
- Device Connectivity
- Data Visualization
- Workflow Engine
- Mobile app
- Dashboard builder
- Alert system
- Data export
- Mobile app support
Both cover
- REST API
- Cloud 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 Losant
- Building home and industrial automation logic on a local servernot Losant
- Prototyping MQTT and HTTP integrations without writing full applicationsnot Losant
Losant
- Building IoT applications with device management and visual workflowsnot Node-RED
- Collecting and acting on telemetry from connected equipmentnot 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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Node-RED
Free- Community EditionFree
- Visual editor
- Extensible
- REST API
Losant
Free- SandboxFree
- Limited devices
- Basic features
- Community support
- Enterprise$500/month
- Unlimited devices
- Advanced analytics
- Premium support
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 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.
Questions people ask
- Is Node-RED or Losant better?
- Neither clearly leads. Node-RED starts at Free and Losant at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Node-RED or Losant?
- Node-RED starts at Free and Losant at Free.
- Does Node-RED or Losant run on more platforms?
- Node-RED runs on Node.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devices. Losant runs on Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard, Device integration.
- 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 Losant is typically brought in for.
- What can Node-RED do that Losant cannot?
- Node-RED covers Visual Editor, Flow-Based Programming, Extensible, HTTP Integration. Losant covers Device Connectivity, Data Visualization, Workflow Engine, Mobile app. Both handle REST API, Cloud support.