Software Alternatives & Startups

Node-RED VS Apache Struts

Compare Node-RED VS Apache Struts and see what are their differences

Node-RED

Node-RED is a programming tool for wiring together hardware devices, APIs and online services in new and interesting ways.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Apache Struts

Apache Struts is an open-source web application framework for developing Java EE web applications.

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Node-RED seems to be a lot more popular than Apache Struts. While we know about 128 links to Node-RED, we've tracked only 3 mentions of Apache Struts.

social mentions
128 vs 3
Automation popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
160 vs 113

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Node-RED
Apache Struts
Website nodered.org struts.apache.org
Pricing
Open source Official pricing
—
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Node-RED 5 features
Apache Struts 5 features
  • Visual Programming
    Node-RED offers a flow-based development interface which allows users to create applications by wiring together pre-built nodes, making it intuitive and easier to understand, especially for non-programmers.
  • Extensibility
    The platform is highly extensible with a large library of pre-built nodes available and support for creating custom nodes. This makes it adaptable to a wide range of use cases.
  • Event-Driven
    Node-RED is designed around an event-driven architecture, which is beneficial for handling asynchronous events and real-time data.
  • Cross-Platform
    Node-RED is based on Node.js and runs on various platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, and even low-resource devices like Raspberry Pi.
  • Integrations
    It offers extensive integration capabilities with various protocols (like MQTT, HTTP, and WebSockets) and a wide variety of services (like databases, cloud services, and IoT platforms).

Possible disadvantages

  • Performance
    Being a higher-level tool built on Node.js, it may not match the performance of systems built directly using lower-level languages and tools, particularly for very resource-intensive applications.
  • Complexity with Large Flows
    As the number of nodes and flows increases, the visual representation can become cluttered and harder to manage. This might make debugging and maintenance more difficult.
  • Scalability
    While suitable for small to medium-sized projects, Node-RED may face challenges in scaling to very large, enterprise-level applications without significant architectural adjustments.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    Although it simplifies basic tasks, there can be a steep learning curve to unlock its full potential, particularly when dealing with sophisticated integrations or custom node development.
  • Security
    The out-of-the-box security features may not be sufficient for all applications. Additional measures such as authentication, encryption, and network security must be implemented for deployment in sensitive environments.
  • Robust Framework
    Apache Struts is a mature and well-established framework for Java web applications, providing stable and reliable tools for enterprise-level applications.
  • MVC Architecture
    Struts adheres to the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern, which separates business logic, presentation, and navigation, making code maintenance and development easier.
  • Extensive Documentation
    Struts has comprehensive documentation and a wealth of online resources, including tutorials, community forums, and user guides, which can support developers throughout their projects.
  • Rich Tag Library
    It comes with a rich set of custom tags that enhance the JSP (JavaServer Pages) to create dynamic web content easily.
  • Plugin Support
    Apache Struts supports various plugins that can extend its functionality, allowing developers to integrate additional features without much effort.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New developers might find Struts challenging to learn due to its complexity and the need for a good understanding of the MVC architecture and Java web application development.
  • Configuration Overhead
    The framework requires extensive XML configuration, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming compared to convention-over-configuration frameworks.
  • Performance
    Struts can be slower than some newer, lighter frameworks due to its broader feature set and the overhead associated with its extensive configuration.
  • Security Vulnerabilities
    Struts has had notable security vulnerabilities in the past. Although patches and updates are available, it necessitates proactive monitoring and maintenance.
  • Outdated Compared to Modern Frameworks
    With the advent of modern frameworks like Spring MVC and JavaServer Faces, some developers consider Struts to be less up-to-date with the latest web development standards and practices.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Node-RED
Apache Struts

Overall verdict

  • Node-RED is generally considered a good tool, particularly for non-programmers and those looking to quickly prototype and deploy IoT solutions. Its visual interface simplifies the development process and can handle a wide variety of integration tasks.

Why this product is good

  • Node-RED is an open-source flow-based programming tool primarily intended for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services as part of the Internet of Things (IoT). It is visually driven, allowing users to create and deploy complex workflows and automation processes with minimal programming knowledge. Its extensive library of pre-built nodes and its active community contribute to its flexibility and ease of use.

Recommended for

  • IoT enthusiasts
  • Quick prototyping of automation flows
  • Integrating various APIs and services
  • Users who prefer a visual programming interface
  • Educational purposes for teaching programming and IoT concepts

Overall verdict

  • Apache Struts is a robust framework, suitable for building Java-based web applications, but it's crucial to stay vigilant regarding security updates.

Why this product is good

  • Apache Struts is known for its MVC framework, which is useful for creating well-structured and maintainable Java applications. It provides a range of comprehensive features like a flexible tag library, integration with other Java frameworks, and a strong support community. However, it has faced some high-profile security vulnerabilities in the past, underscoring the importance of keeping the framework timely updated.

Recommended for

  • Organizations developing enterprise-level Java applications
  • Developers familiar with Java and looking for a robust MVC framework
  • Teams interested in integrating their web applications with other Java technologies

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Node-RED 1 video + Add
Apache Struts 3 videos + Add

Intro to Node-RED: Part 1 Fundamentals

Finding and Fixing Apache Struts CVE-2017-5638 with Black Duck Hub

More videos

  • - Apache Struts 2 - remote command execution
  • - Dark ambient drone music | Vulnerable Apache Struts installation under attack (Java, Jakarta)

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Node-RED
Apache Struts
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Node-RED and Apache Struts. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Node-RED no reviews yet
Apache Struts no reviews yet

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Node-RED 128 mentions
Apache Struts 3 mentions
  • Building for an audience of one: starting and finishing side projects with AI
    HomeAssistant is probably doing too much for what you need. Imo it's not a good piece of software. https://nodered.org/ is maybe a better fit. Or just some plain old scripts. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Erlang-Red: Node-Red with an Erlang Back End
    Ahh, you didn't create Node-RED editor. That's an external project. https://nodered.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Hardware Metrics Collection with IOT Devices
    Node Red is a unique application that provides a graphical programming environment. With this, you can define input to output transformation with any level of complexity, including reading, parsing, formatting, and output with optional... - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago

View more

  • Struts body strings appear 984,485 times while its page title appears 519
    Apache Struts project site, for the framework's role as a component of applications: https://struts.apache.org/. - Source: dev.to / 17 days ago
  • 1 an experienta intr-un domeniu irelevant, now what?
    The Apache Struts website (https://struts.apache.org/) offers tutorials and other resources for learning about the Apache Struts framework. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Most Popular Web Application Frameworks
    3) Struts 2 - Also a popular java based framework. Backed by the Apache Foundation and built to easily integrate with Spring. This is the easiest choice when converting from a Struts 1 framework to a more modern and secure framework. - Source: dev.to / almost 5 years ago

Alternatives to Node-RED and Apache Struts

When comparing Node-RED and Apache Struts, you can also consider the following products.