Node-RED vs Make: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Node-RED and Make comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Node-RED
Flow-based programming for IoT
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need low-code backend features specifically
- • Node-RED is a flow-based programming tool for wiring IoT and APIs
- • It creates automation flows with a visual browser-based editor
Make
Visual automation platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You need automation features specifically
- • Advanced automation platform with visual workflow builder
- • Powerful data transformation and conditional logic
| At a Glance |  Node-RED |  Make |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Low-Code Backend | Automation |
Rating | 80/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Node-RED | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Low-Code BackendAutomation | AutomationWorkflow Automation |
How Node-RED and Make Compare
Node-RED
Flow-based programming for IoT
Free · 80/100 score
Make
Visual automation platform
Free tier available · 88/100 score
Node-RED is a low-code backend tool. Make is in automation.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Node-RED is free. Make is freemium.
Go with: Node-RED
Want the highest-rated option?
Node-RED: 80/100. Make: 88/100.
Go with: Make
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Make
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Node-RED is free. Make is freemium. Go with Node-RED if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Node-RED is a low-code backend tool. Make is in automation. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Make scores higher: 88/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Make
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 80
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Node-RED
- Completely free
- Better fit for low-code backend
The Bottom Line
Make (88/100) is our pick. That said, Node-RED is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Node-RED or Make better?
Make scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Node-RED is free and Make is freemium.
What are Node-RED and Make used for?
Node-RED: Flow-based programming for IoT. Make: Visual automation platform.
What does Node-RED cost vs Make?
Node-RED is completely free. Make is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.