Node-RED on a server that is always on
Wire together APIs, MQTT devices, databases and online services in a browser-based flow editor, and keep the flows running around the clock. Node-RED is an OpenJS Foundation project; run it on a HyperDC server with the editor secured and HTTPS in front, preinstalled as an app option or set up with our guide.
- Browser-based flow editor with a large node library
- MQTT, HTTP, WebSocket and database nodes built in
- Node-RED 5 on Node.js 22 or later
- Editor protected with adminAuth and HTTPS
- StackNode-RED 5 is the active release; version 4 is in maintenance until the end of 2026.
- Node.js 22+, Node-RED 5
- Default portThe editor is open to anyone who can reach this port until you set adminAuth: secure it before you publish it.
- 1880
- MinimumNode-RED publishes no hardware figures; it runs on devices as small as a Raspberry Pi.
- Light; depends on your flows
- Your data
- Flows and credentials in ~/.node-red
- Official docs
- nodered.org/docs
Works with
- MQTT
- HTTP
- WebSocket
- Modbus
- InfluxDB
- Home Assistant
- Dashboard 2.0
- Docker
Facts from the project’s official website, documentation and repository, checked in October 2026.
Plans are being prepared
We are preparing ready-to-use plans for Node-RED. Tell us how you will use it and how many users you expect, and we will reply with a server that fits. You can also start today on a Linux VPS and install it with our guide.
Which server size fits?
Starting points for vCPU, memory and disk. Grow the server when your data and users grow.
| Feature |
Hobby
Home automation and a few flows
|
Recommended Team
Integrations and dashboards for a team
|
Industrial
Many devices, MQTT broker and history
|
|---|---|---|---|
| vCPUVirtual processor cores of the server. | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| MemoryMemory for the app, its database and the operating system. | 1–2 GB | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| DiskNVMe or SSD storage for the app, its data and local backups. | 20 GB | 40 GB | 100 GB+ |
| Alongside | Node-RED only | Node-RED and a database | MQTT broker and a time-series database |
| Server type | Linux VPS | Linux VPS | VPS or VDS |
-
Hobby
Home automation and a few flows
- vCPUVirtual processor cores of the server.
- 1
- MemoryMemory for the app, its database and the operating system.
- 1–2 GB
- DiskNVMe or SSD storage for the app, its data and local backups.
- 20 GB
- Alongside
- Node-RED only
- Server type
- Linux VPS
-
Recommended
Team
Integrations and dashboards for a team
- vCPUVirtual processor cores of the server.
- 2
- MemoryMemory for the app, its database and the operating system.
- 4 GB
- DiskNVMe or SSD storage for the app, its data and local backups.
- 40 GB
- Alongside
- Node-RED and a database
- Server type
- Linux VPS
-
Industrial
Many devices, MQTT broker and history
- vCPUVirtual processor cores of the server.
- 4
- MemoryMemory for the app, its database and the operating system.
- 8 GB
- DiskNVMe or SSD storage for the app, its data and local backups.
- 100 GB+
- Alongside
- MQTT broker and a time-series database
- Server type
- VPS or VDS
Node-RED publishes no hardware requirements. These are conservative starting points; an MQTT broker, a time-series database or many devices need more.
What people build with Node-RED
Low-code wiring for the internet of things, APIs and everyday automations.
IoT and MQTT
Collect data from sensors and machines over MQTT, Modbus or HTTP, transform it and store it in a database.
APIs and webhooks
Build small HTTP endpoints, receive webhooks and call online services from your flows.
Dashboards
Add the community dashboard nodes to show live values and controls in the browser.
Full root access
Install what the app needs, change any setting and run more services next to it. Nothing is locked behind a panel.
App option or step-by-step guide
Order the server with the app installed as an option, or set it up yourself on a clean Linux server with our guide.
Near your users
Choose a data center in the United States, Europe or Asia. The order form estimates the latency from where you are to each location.
Backups on VPS and VDS
Free weekly and monthly backups come with VPS and VDS plans. Keep your own copies of databases and app data as well.
Grow without starting over
Start on a VPS, then move to a bigger plan, a VDS with NVMe storage or a dedicated server when the workload grows.
From order to first login
Order the app preinstalled on your server, or install it yourself with our guide.
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Pick the server
Choose a size from the table above and the data center closest to the people who will use the app.
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Add Node-RED
Select Node-RED as an app option when you order, or install it on a clean Ubuntu or Debian server with our guide.
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Point a domain and enable HTTPS
Create a DNS record such as app.example.com for the server and put a reverse proxy with a free Let’s Encrypt certificate in front of the app.
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Secure the editor
Set adminAuth with a bcrypt password and your own credentialSecret in settings.js, restart, then sign in.
Step-by-step setup guides
Install, secure and update the app with our guides, written for current Ubuntu and Debian releases.
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How to install Node-RED with Docker and a secured editor
Install Node-RED from the official Docker image, protect the editor and HTTP endpoints with hashed passwords, serve it over HTTPS with Caddy, install extra nodes and back up the data folder.
30 min Beginner
Related solutions
Frequently asked questions
Is the Node-RED editor protected by default?
No. Until you configure adminAuth, anyone who can reach port 1880 can open the editor and change your flows. Set a user with a bcrypt-hashed password, enable HTTPS through a reverse proxy, and protect HTTP endpoints with httpNodeAuth if they should not be public.
Which Node.js version do I need?
Node-RED 5 needs Node.js 22 or later. Node-RED 4 still runs on Node.js 18 and later but reaches end of life on 31 December 2026, so start new installations on version 5.
Why should I set credentialSecret?
Node-RED encrypts the credentials of your flows. If you leave the key to Node-RED and it is lost, for example when a container is recreated, the credentials file cannot be recovered. Set your own credentialSecret and keep a copy of it.
Where are my flows stored?
In the user directory, ~/.node-red or /data in the Docker image: the flows file, the encrypted credentials file, settings.js and the installed nodes. Back up that folder, or export your flows as JSON from the editor.
Can I run an MQTT broker on the same server?
Yes. A broker such as Eclipse Mosquitto runs well next to Node-RED. Require usernames and passwords or client certificates, and use TLS on port 8883 if devices connect over the internet.
Does Node-RED have a paid edition?
No. Node-RED is a single open-source project of the OpenJS Foundation. Hosted and team offerings exist from other companies, but the Node-RED you run on your server is the complete project.
How do I add more nodes?
Open Manage palette in the editor and install community nodes from the Node-RED library, or install them with npm in the user directory. Review a node’s source and maintenance before you rely on it.
Keep your flows running
Tell us the app, how many people will use it and where they are, and we will suggest a server for it.