Apache NiFi vs Node-RED
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted automation & workflows options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Apache NiFi
Visual dataflow automation and routing system
VS
Node-RED
Flow-based programming for event-driven apps
| Feature | Apache NiFi | Node-RED |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Automation & Workflows | Automation & Workflows |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Java | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, kubernetes, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 6,188 | ★ 23,501 |
| First released | 2014 | 2013 |
| Replaces | Azure Data Factory, Zapier | Zapier |
Why pick each one
Frequently asked questions
Is Apache NiFi or Node-RED better?
Node-RED is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Apache NiFi if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Apache NiFi and Node-RED free and open-source?
Yes. Apache NiFi is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Node-RED under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Apache NiFi and Node-RED with Docker?
Apache NiFi: yes. Node-RED: yes.