Zapier vs Node-RED

Fit:

Migration notes

Rebuild triggers/actions as Node-RED flows; JSON flow import/export is native, but no Zap/Make importer verified. Connector availability, OAuth setup and runtime operations need checking. Best for technical operators.

Sources: nodered.org, zapier.com · checked 2026-10-21

ZapierPaid incumbent

Entry priceUSD 19.99 / account / month

Pricing modelusage, billed annual

OwnerZapier, Inc.

Professional advertised from USD19.99/month; yearly toggle, usage tiers apply. Free plan is 100 tasks and two-step Zaps. Source

Zapier plans reviewed
Professional	entry	USD 29.99 / account / mo
Team	business	USD 103.50 / team account, up to 25 users / mo
Enterprise	enterprise	Quote only

Node-REDOpen-source alternative

Fit for Zapier

License

Apache License 2.0 A permissive license whose main conditions require preservation of copyright and license notices. Contributors provide an express grant of patent rights. Licensed works, modifications, and larger works may be distributed under different terms and without source code. May Commercial useModificationDistributionPatent usePrivate use Must License and copyright noticeState changes No Trademark useLiabilityWarranty Summary from GitHub's choosealicense.com

Paid-feature tier A

Self-host

Paid-feature limitsNone established

Node-RED plans reviewed
Node-RED core	free self-hosted core	Free

What you may give up

No paid-feature limits established for this edition.

Tier A: Node-RED editor/runtime are Apache-2.0, self-hostable and commercially hostable. No paid core edition identified in official product documentation. FlowFuse hosting and enterprise fleet management are a separate platform, outside this record. Third-party nodes have independent licenses. License source

What running it takes

Persistent local user directory

Hover or focus an icon for its name. Dashed means not established; struck through means no; grouped icons are alternatives.

Core is a Node.js event-driven server with browser editor; not a central SQL-backed SaaS clone. Secure editor/HTTP endpoints for production. No generic external Redis, SQL or SMTP service is required by core. Infrastructure and staff time are not priced here; this page does not compare total cost.