# (Sorry: off topic) Question about this n8n thing
**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/sorry-off-topic-question-about-this-n8n-thing/99384
**Category:** General
**Created:** [14 October 2025 09:30 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/sorry-off-topic-question-about-this-n8n-thing/99384 "2025-10-14T09:30:07Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)
#### Post date: [14 October 2025 09:30 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/sorry-off-topic-question-about-this-n8n-thing/99384/1 "2025-10-14T09:30:07Z")
Ok, yes, a bit of searching would help but......
From what I've read, it is ..... _similar_ to Node-red.
I know I'll get biased answers here, but I just wanted to ask where it stacks up to NR?
Similar, worse, better, alternative?
Compatible?
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### Author:  [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)
#### Post date: [14 October 2025 10:44 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/sorry-off-topic-question-about-this-n8n-thing/99384/2 "2025-10-14T10:44:44Z")
It isn't _that_ similar to Node-RED, more like the flow based low-code tools built into other apps such as Unreal Engine. It doesn't really work on quite the same principals as Node-RED.
Also, it runs on a freemium model, only some things are available for free, many of the integrations are not (as I remember anyway, been a while since I looked at it in detail).
I've long looked at Node-RED alternatives. But there isn't anything quite like Node-RED. And no, that isn't a biased view, that is my Enterprise Architects view. N8N, at least the commercial version, does have some good integrations with other services and may suit some people looking for a more traditional compute model. But if you want a true open source, totally free to use, low-code, message-style flow compute tool, there is, I don't believe anything like Node-RED.
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### Author:  [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)
#### Post date: [14 October 2025 10:47 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/sorry-off-topic-question-about-this-n8n-thing/99384/3 "2025-10-14T10:47:14Z")
Thanks.
Appreciate the info.
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### Author:  [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [28 October 2025 10:47 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/sorry-off-topic-question-about-this-n8n-thing/99384/4 "2025-10-28T10:47:49Z")
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