Make vs Node-RED: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Make and Node-RED side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Make
Build complex automations with a drag-and-drop visual builder
Best for you if:
- • You want to build complex automations with a drag-and-drop visual builder
Node-RED
Flow-based programming for IoT
| At a Glance | Make | Node-RED |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $16/mo flat, billed monthly Core plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Workflow Automation Automation | IoT Platforms Developer Tools |
Rating | 4.0/5 PeerSpot 4.0 18 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.5 · SourceForge 5.0 26 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Every module counts as 1 credit -- triggers, filters, routers, and actions all consume credits (only error handlers and Router modules are free) | n/a |
Choose Make or Node-RED?
Choose Make if
- You want to build complex automations with a drag-and-drop visual builder
Choose Node-RED if
- You need IoT platforms features specifically.
In-Depth Analysis
Make
Build complex automations with a drag-and-drop visual builder
Make is the best value in workflow automation for most teams.
Watch out
Every module counts as 1 credit -- triggers, filters, routers, and actions all consume credits (only error handlers and Router modules are free)
Strengths
- Pro: Visual builder
- Pro: More powerful than Zapier
- Pro: Better value
Weaknesses
- Con: Steeper learning curve
- Con: Complex for simple tasks
Key features
Node-RED
Flow-based programming for IoT
Node-RED's pricing is exceptionally generous, being entirely open-source and free.
Strengths
- Pro: Visual flow programming
- Pro: IoT friendly
- Pro: Good for automation
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: Active community
Weaknesses
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Performance limits
- Con: Not for complex apps
- Con: UI dated
- Con: Debugging harder
Key features
Plans and prices: Make vs Node-RED
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Make |
| make.com/pricing read Nov 7, 2026 |
| Node-RED |
| nodered.org read Sep 29, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Make pricing and Node-RED pricing.
Key Takeaways
Make
- Choose Make if you want to build complex automations with a drag-and-drop visual builder
Node-RED
- Worth considering for IoT platforms
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.0/5 from 18 reviews for Make, 4.6/5 from 26 reviews for Node-RED; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Make starts at $16/mo flat, billed monthly; Node-RED has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Make and Node-RED compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.0/5 from 18 reviews for Make, 4.6/5 from 26 reviews for Node-RED; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Make starts at $16/mo flat, billed monthly; Node-RED has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Make and Node-RED used for?
Make: Build complex automations with a drag-and-drop visual builder. Node-RED: Flow-based programming for IoT.
What does Make cost vs Node-RED?
Make's cheapest paid plan is Core at $16/mo flat, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Node-RED is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 7, 2026.
What's the main difference between Make and Node-RED?
Make's main strength: visual builder. Node-RED's main strength: visual flow programming.
Spotted an outdated price or a wrong fact? Suggest a correction: we check it against the vendor's own page. Work for one of these vendors? Claim your listing to update it yourself.