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Node-RED vs Yale Smart Locks

Node-RED logo

Node-RED

Smart Home

Flow-based programming tool for IoT and home automation

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Yale Smart Locks logo

Yale Smart Locks

Smart Home

Trusted smart lock security for your home

From
On request
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: 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; Yale Smart Locks the Internet Archive's capture of Yale's US homepage on 22 December 2020 named six distinct smart lock and security product lines, Assure Lock, Assure Lever, Smart Delivery Box, Smart Cabinet Lock, Pro SL, and the Pivot Collection, each with a 'Buy Now' link but no price figure present on the page.
  • They diverge on capability: Node-RED covers Visual Editor, Yale Smart Locks covers Keypad entry.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Node-RED and Yale Smart Locks actually diverge.

Attributes where Node-RED and Yale Smart Locks differ
AttributeNode-REDYale Smart Locks
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourceone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsNode.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devicesIOS, Android
Founded20131840

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 Node-RED

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

Only in Yale Smart Locks

  • Keypad entry
  • App control
  • Guest codes
  • Auto-lock
  • Tamper alerts
  • Activity log
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Amazon Alexa

What people use each for

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

Node-RED

  • Low-code event-driven application developmentnot Yale Smart Locks
  • IoT and device integration workflowsnot Yale Smart Locks
  • Visual programming for server-side integrationsnot Yale Smart Locks

Yale Smart Locks

  • Keyless entrynot Node-RED
  • Guest accessnot Node-RED
  • Security monitoringnot Node-RED
  • Rental managementnot 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

Yale Smart Locks

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Yale's US homepage on 22 December 2020 named six distinct smart lock and security product lines, Assure Lock, Assure Lever, Smart Delivery Box, Smart Cabinet Lock, Pro SL, and the Pivot Collection, each with a 'Buy Now' link but no price figure present on the page.

Pricing, plan by plan

Node-RED

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

Yale Smart Locks

On request
  • Assure Lock 2$190/month
    • Keypad
    • Auto-lock
    • DoorSense
  • Assure Lock SL$260/month
    • Touchscreen
    • No key
    • Modern design

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.
Node-RED review

Choose Yale Smart Locks if

  • You need keypad entry.
  • You work on IOS, Android.
  • You also want app control.
Yale Smart Locks review

Questions people ask

Is Node-RED or Yale Smart Locks better?
Neither clearly leads. Node-RED starts at Free and Yale Smart Locks at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Node-RED or Yale Smart Locks?
Node-RED has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Node-RED and On request for Yale Smart Locks.
Does Node-RED or Yale Smart Locks run on more platforms?
Node-RED runs on Node.js, Docker, Cloud, Edge devices. Yale Smart Locks runs on IOS, Android.
Can I use Node-RED for free?
Yes. Node-RED has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Yale Smart Locks starts at On request.
What is Node-RED best used for?
Node-RED is most often used for low-code event-driven application development, iot and device integration workflows, visual programming for server-side integrations. Of those, low-code event-driven application development and iot and device integration workflows are not what Yale Smart Locks is typically brought in for.
What can Node-RED do that Yale Smart Locks cannot?
Node-RED covers Visual Editor, Flow-Based Programming, Extensible, HTTP Integration. Yale Smart Locks covers Keypad entry, App control, Guest codes, Auto-lock.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Yale Smart Locks: Where can I find Yale smart lock pricing on their website?

Yale does not publish pricing information on their main website or dedicated pricing page. Pricing details are not publicly listed online.

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
Yale Smart Locks: How do I get pricing for Yale smart locks?

Yale does not disclose standard pricing on their website. Customers must contact Yale directly through their support system to request pricing and product information.

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
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