Alternatives · Automation
Node-RED alternatives
Node-RED compared with 4 alternatives: n8n, Huginn, Activepieces and Windmill.
Node-RED is free to use. All 4 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
4 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Node-REDThis tool | Free | Free | Web, Windows, Linux |
| n8n | Free plan · from €20/mo | Yes | Web |
| Huginn | Free | Free | Web, Linux |
| Activepieces | Free plan · from $16/mo | Yes | Web |
| Windmill | Free plan · from $10/mo | Yes | Web |
How each one differs from Node-RED
- Free plan · from €20/mo
n8n
Workflow automation and AI agents you can self-host
- n8n starts at €20 / month, billed annually, for 2,500 executions (n8n Cloud Starter). Node-RED is free.
- Only Node-RED lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Node-RED is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Technical teams that want to host their automation on their own servers
- Free
Huginn
Open-source agents that watch the web and act, on your own server
- Huginn is free. Node-RED is free.
- Only Node-RED lists a Windows app.
Suits: Developers who want their automation data kept on a server they control
- Free plan · from $16/mo
Activepieces
Open-source automation with flows, AI agents and tables
- Activepieces starts at $16 / month flat, billed yearly ($20 billed monthly), for up to 5 users. Node-RED is free.
- Only Node-RED lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Activepieces also covers databases and AI agents.
Suits: Teams that want open-source automation they can host themselves
- Free plan · from $10/mo
Windmill
Open-source platform for scripts, workflows and internal apps
- Windmill starts at $10 per seat / month (Cloud Team); self-hosted Pro from $48 / month. Node-RED is free.
- Only Node-RED lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Windmill also covers AI agents and app builder.
Suits: Engineering teams that want internal tools and automations kept as code
Limits worth knowing in Node-RED
- Node-RED is software you install and run yourself; the project offers no hosted service of its own, though third parties such as FlowFuse do.
- The machine that runs it needs a supported version of Node.js, or Docker.
- The project calls it low-code: custom logic is written as JavaScript in function nodes.
- Running on Android through Termux is described in the docs as a bit experimental.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Node-RED?
The alternatives to Node-RED in this directory are n8n, Huginn, Activepieces and Windmill. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Node-RED.
Is there a free alternative to Node-RED?
Yes. Huginn is free to use. n8n, Activepieces and Windmill have a free plan alongside paid ones.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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