Make vs Node-RED: Features, Pricing and User Reviews 2026
Compare features, pricing, reviews, and more to make an informed decision
Make
Make is a visual workflow automation platform that connects apps and automates business processes without coding knowledge required.
Node-RED
Node-RED is a free open-source visual programming tool for connecting devices, APIs, and services using a browser-based flow editor.
Make
Make is a visual workflow automation platform that connects apps and automates business processes without coding knowledge required.
Node-RED
Node-RED is a free open-source visual programming tool for connecting devices, APIs, and services using a browser-based flow editor.
Make
Visual drag-and-drop automation builder
2,000+ app integrations and connections
AI-powered workflows with intelligent agents
Real-time execution and minute-level scheduling
Advanced conditional logic and data transformation
Team collaboration with role-based permissions
Error handling and debugging tools
Template library with pre-built automations
Enterprise security and compliance features
API access for custom integrations
Node-RED
Visual drag-and-drop programming interface
Over 4,000 community nodes available
Industrial protocol support (MQTT, Modbus, OPC-UA)
Built-in debugging and testing tools
Git integration for version control
Dashboard and UI building capabilities
Function nodes for custom JavaScript
Cloud and edge device compatible
Real-time data processing
Open source and completely free
Make
Make offers flexible pricing plans to accommodate different automation needs. The Free plan provides 1,000 operations monthly, perfect for testing and simple automations. Operations are individual actions your workflows perform, like adding a row to a spreadsheet or sending an email.
Paid plans include:
Core ($9/month): 10,000 operations with unlimited scenarios and API access
Pro ($16/month): 10,000 operations plus priority execution and advanced features
Teams ($29/month): 10,000 operations with team collaboration tools and shared templates
Enterprise (Custom pricing): Unlimited operations, dedicated support, and advanced security features
All plans include access to the visual builder and app integrations. You can purchase additional operations at $1 per 1,000 operations if you exceed your monthly limit. Make offers excellent value compared to competitors, especially for complex multi-step automations that would cost significantly more on other platforms.
Node-RED
Node-RED is completely free to use. As an open-source project under the Apache 2.0 license, there are no subscription fees, usage charges, or hidden costs. You can install it on as many devices as you need, use it for personal or commercial projects, and modify the source code if desired.
Installation Options:
Self-Hosted: Download and install on your own hardware or cloud servers for free.
Hosted Services: Some companies like FlowFuse offer managed Node-RED hosting with additional enterprise features like team management, remote device management, and automated deployments. FlowFuse pricing starts at around $15-40 per month for hosted solutions.
Pre-installed Devices: Many industrial gateways, PLCs, and IoT devices come with Node-RED pre-installed at no additional cost.
The core Node-RED platform remains free regardless of how you choose to run it.
