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Node-RED hosting

Wire events, devices and APIs together on a canvas.

AutomationApache-2.0from $5.99/mo
In short

Node-RED hosting at AIHostBox means a dedicated, single-tenant Node-RED instance on our infrastructure: we install it, pin it to a reviewed release, put it behind TLS on your domain, back it up nightly and keep it patched. Plans start at $5.99 per month and the admin account, the data and any API keys are yours.

MQTTWebhooksHuge node libraryDashboardFunction nodes

Node-RED is a low-code programming tool for event-driven applications, started at IBM and now an OpenJS Foundation project. You build flows by wiring nodes in a browser editor: inputs such as MQTT, HTTP, WebSocket or timers, function nodes written in JavaScript, and outputs to databases, APIs and devices. The community library lists thousands of extra nodes, including ones that call OpenAI-compatible and Ollama endpoints. A function node can run arbitrary JavaScript when no ready-made node fits, and subflows package repeated logic for reuse.

Flows are saved as JSON, so they are easy to version, share and import. Because Node-RED often listens for webhooks and MQTT messages around the clock, it wants a server that stays online with a public address and TLS rather than a Raspberry Pi behind a home router. Hosting it also keeps the editor and credentials protected by a login. Node-RED also ships its own admin API, so deployments can be scripted from CI.

Node-RED hosting plans

StarterPersonal use & small teams
2 GB RAM · 1 vCPU · NVMe
$5.99/mo
Order
PlusBusy workflows & communities
4 GB RAM · 2 vCPU · NVMe
$9.99/mo
Order
ProHeavy pipelines & many users
8 GB RAM · 3 vCPU · NVMe
$16.99/mo
Order

Every plan is a dedicated single-tenant instance with NVMe storage, nightly off-box backups, TLS and managed patching. Quarterly, semi-annual and annual terms are discounted at checkout. Model tokens are not included — you bring your own key.

How we run Node-RED

The official nodered/node-red container with the /data volume holding flows.json, flows_cred.json, settings.js and installed nodes; there is no external database unless your flows add one.

What we configure for you

  • adminAuth with a bcrypt password in settings.js
  • NODE_RED_CREDENTIAL_SECRET set so stored credentials stay encrypted and portable
  • TZ set to your timezone for inject and cron-style schedules
  • httpNodeAuth on request, for HTTP endpoints you expose
  • NODE_RED_ENABLE_PROJECTS for Git-backed flows if you want it
  • TLS on your hostname for the editor, webhooks and WebSocket nodes

Which plan fits

Starter (2 GB) runs dozens of ordinary flows handling webhooks, MQTT and API calls. Plus (4 GB) suits busy message rates, the dashboard with several users or heavier function nodes; Pro (8 GB) is for large payloads such as images or file processing inside flows.

The honest limits

Node-RED runs in a single Node.js process, so one badly written flow can slow the rest. Nodes that expect local hardware such as GPIO, Bluetooth or serial devices cannot work on a hosted server.

What people run Node-RED for

IoT and home automation

A hub that is not on your kitchen shelf.

Protocol glue

Translate between systems that do not speak to each other.

Webhook processing

Receive, transform and forward without writing a service.

Licence and version policy

ItemPosition
Upstream licenceApache-2.0
Sold as managed hostingYes
TenancySingle tenant — one customer per instance
PatchingCritical advisories within 24 hours, high severity within 72

Our full position on licences, including the applications we decline to sell, is on the licensing page.

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Questions

Node-RED hosting: your questions

How is the editor protected?
adminAuth is configured in settings.js with a bcrypt-hashed password, so the editor and admin API require a login. Endpoints you build with HTTP In nodes can be protected separately with httpNodeAuth, and the dashboard or static files with httpStaticAuth.
Can I install extra nodes from the palette?
Yes. The Manage Palette menu installs any node from the Node-RED library, and the packages persist in the /data volume across restarts and upgrades. Nodes that need native hardware, such as GPIO or serial ports, will install but have nothing to talk to on a server.
How do I move flows from my own Node-RED?
Export flows from your existing editor as JSON and import them, or copy flows.json, flows_cred.json and settings.js over SFTP. Credentials are encrypted with credentialSecret, so bring the same secret across or re-enter the passwords after import.
Can I keep flows in Git?
Yes. With NODE_RED_ENABLE_PROJECTS turned on, the editor manages each project as a Git repository, with commit history and push to a remote such as GitHub or GitLab. It is the tidiest way to review changes and roll back a broken deploy.
Can Node-RED call language models?
Through community nodes for OpenAI and Ollama, or with a plain HTTP request node against any OpenAI-compatible endpoint. Point it at your own model key, an Ollama plan or a LiteLLM gateway to classify, summarise or route messages inside a flow.

Run Node-RED without running a server

A dedicated Node-RED instance, deployed and maintained by us. Month to month, cancel whenever.

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