Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Node-RED VS NoFlo

Compare Node-RED VS NoFlo and see what are their differences

Node-RED logo Node-RED

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

NoFlo logo NoFlo

NoFlo is a JavaScript implementation of Flow-Based Programming (FBP).
  • Node-RED Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-23
  • NoFlo Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-09-17

Node-RED features and specs

  • 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 of Node-RED

  • 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.

NoFlo features and specs

  • Visual Programming
    NoFlo provides a visual interface that allows developers to design application logic using flow-based programming concepts, which can make the architecture easier to understand and manage, especially for complex applications.
  • Reusability
    Components in NoFlo are designed to be reusable and can be easily shared across different projects, improving modularity and reducing duplication of effort.
  • Flexibility
    NoFlo allows integration with various programming environments and supports multiple backends, offering flexibility in how applications are developed and deployed.
  • Concurrency
    Due to its flow-based nature, NoFlo can naturally support concurrent processes, which can lead to more efficient execution of tasks and better utilization of system resources.
  • Community and Ecosystem
    Being part of the Flowhub ecosystem, NoFlo benefits from a community and a set of tools that can help developers get support and improve their workflow.

Possible disadvantages of NoFlo

  • Learning Curve
    For developers unfamiliar with flow-based programming, NoFlo can have a steep learning curve, requiring time to adapt to its paradigms and tools.
  • Performance Overheads
    The abstraction layer introduced by NoFlo can lead to performance overhead, which might be a concern for performance-critical applications.
  • Debugging Complexity
    Debugging flow-based applications can be more challenging, especially for those used to traditional programming, as it requires tracking data flow across components in a visual manner.
  • Limited Resources
    Compared to more mainstream frameworks and libraries, NoFlo might have limited resources, such as third-party plugins or extensive documentation, which can hinder development.
  • Niche Usage
    Being a more specialized tool, NoFlo might not be suitable for all types of projects, particularly those that are simple or don't benefit from a flow-based approach.

Node-RED videos

Intro to Node-RED: Part 1 Fundamentals

NoFlo videos

NoFlo x Young Ramen - Shotta Flow Remix

More videos:

  • Review - Lil Noflo - Gucci Chain [Official Music Video] (Dir. by @Jboogie Visuals)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Node-RED and NoFlo)
Automation
92 92%
8% 8
DevOps Tools
96 96%
4% 4
Data Dashboard
0 0%
100% 100
Web Service Automation
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Node-RED and NoFlo

Node-RED Reviews

10 n8n.io Alternatives
Node-RED is a flow-based development and programming tool for visual programming presented in the market by IBM for wiring together online services and hardware devices as part of the internet of things. Web browser-based flow editor is available over this software to create JavaScript functions, and elements of apps can be saved or shared for using reprocess. Back in 2016,...
Open Source Internet of Things (IoT) Platforms
Node-RED is a visual tool for lining the Internet of Things, i.e., wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new ways. Built on Node.js, Node-RED describes itself as “a visual means for wiring the Internet of Things.”
9 Home Automation Open-Source Platforms for Your projects
If you would like to know how to build your own home automation system with Node-RED, Raspberry Pi, ESP8266 and Arduino, I’ve just released a new course on this subject: Build an Home Automation System for $100.

NoFlo Reviews

We have no reviews of NoFlo yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Node-RED seems to be a lot more popular than NoFlo. While we know about 126 links to Node-RED, we've tracked only 2 mentions of NoFlo. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Node-RED mentions (126)

  • 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 conditionals. For example, here is a flow definition that parses MQTT JSON messages that communicate if a node is alive, and then store this information in InfluxDB:. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Home Assistant and ESP Home: How to use MQTT Integration for Dynamic Device Configuration
    For a simple test, I created this Node Red flow that listens to homeassistant/status messages. HA itself will send messages that communicate when its started or when it is about to shutdown. These messages, and a custom message I send from within HA, could be seen:. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Data Visualization on the e-RT3 using Node-RED, InfluxDB Cloud, and Grafana
    Node-RED (e-RT3) Flow-based, low code development tool. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • Top 15 Open-Source Low-Code Projects with the Most GitHub Stars
    GitHub Https://github.com/node-red/node-red GitHub Stars 19.1k Most Recent Update on GitHub 2 weeks ago Open Source License Apache 2.0 Number of Active Contributors This Year 13 Acceptance of External PRs Yes Official Website Https://nodered.org/ Documentation Https://nodered.org/docs/. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
  • Major updates from the open source community: Release Radar · June 2024
    Want a low code application for event-driven applications? Then Node-RED is your go to. The new update brings a breaking change, with Node-RED now requiring Node 18.x or later. The team have added new features and updated dependencies to the editor, and there are lots of fixes within the editor. Check out the release notes for all the details. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
View more

NoFlo mentions (2)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Node-RED and NoFlo, you can also consider the following products

n8n.io - Free and open fair-code licensed node based Workflow Automation Tool. Easily automate tasks across different services.

ioBroker - flexible and modular application for the IoT and Smarthome

Zapier - Connect the apps you use everyday to automate your work and be more productive. 1000+ apps and easy integrations - get started in minutes.

OPC Router - The OPC Router is one of the leading data hubs and OPC gateways in the Industry 4.0.

ifttt - IFTTT puts the internet to work for you. Create simple connections between the products you use every day.

Microsoft Power Automate - Microsoft Power Automate is an automation platform that integrates DPA, RPA, and process mining. It lets you automate your organization at scale using low-code and AI.