When it comes to the Industrial Internet of Things, people often ask: Whether the Node-RED Edge Gateway is too expensive?
As we all know, Node-RED is a simple visual programming solution—easy, intuitive, and user-friendly. By dragging nodes and connecting them with wires, you can effortlessly achieve protocol parsing, data collection, logical judgments, and cloud data uploads. You connect data through dragging instead of writing tons of code, which is indeed appealing to industrial control professionals.
Prices for Node-RED edge gateways on the market vary significantly. Entry-level models range from $80 to $200, mid-range options from $150 to $300, and high-end units from $200 to $800. Upon seeing these prices, many exclaim: “Node-RED edge gateways are a bit pricey!” But Node-RED is an open-source project—how can it be ‘expensive’?”
Free and open-source, yet still considered expensive?
Strictly speaking, Node-RED is open-source and free to use by anyone. However, deploying it in an enterprise environment incurs non-zero costs.
1. Setting up servers and configuring environments incurs expenses;
2. Ensuring stable operation requires a maintenance team, and labor costs are substantial;
3. Certain scenarios necessitate commercial solutions. Opting for Node-RED plans naturally increases costs.
Therefore, what many perceive as “expensive” isn’t the software itself, but the overall cost of implementation.
To use the Node-RED gateway, there are two common industry choices:
One is to bite the bullet and buy a ready-made package solution: expensive, but hassle-free;
The other is to cobble something together yourself: it might work, but the risks and follow-up costs often exceed expectations.
This is a real dilemma, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises: limited funds, yet still wanting to embrace digitalization.
Is there a third way?
In fact, some manufacturers focus on creating products that meet “low-cost + practicality” needs. Simply put, they combine the flexibility of Node-RED with industrial hardware, helping users save significant additional investment.
IOTRouter’s newly launched EG8200Lite, positioned for market demand, is a prime example. Priced at $58, it offers exceptional value!
Interfaces: 1× WAN/LAN multiplexed / 2× RS485 / 4× LED indicators
Supported Protocols: MQTT, HTTP, TCP, UDP, WebSocket, Modbus, DLT645, CJ188, HJ212, OPC UA, BACnet, MES, SCADA, and more
Tipo de rede: 4G
Node-RED Edge Gateway: EG8200Lite
Key Features
Cost-Effective Design: Full functionality at a low cost, helping integrators and suppliers reduce project expenses.
Remote Management: Configure, debug, diagnose, and update firmware remotely, reducing operational costs.
Virtual Serial & Network Ports: Enables remote PLC debugging and program upload/download.
Offline Data Continuity: Built-in local storage ensures millisecond-level data recovery, preventing data loss during network interruptions.
Visual Programming (Node-RED): Drag-and-drop workflow creation for fast data acquisition, protocol conversion, and cloud integration.
Custom Development Support: JavaScript-based business logic customization, supporting OEM/ODM flexible expansion.
High Reliability: Industrial-grade operation (-20℃ ~ 85℃), wide voltage (9~36V), anti-static, surge protection, dual watchdog for long-term stable operation.
Cenários de aplicação
EG8200Lite is suitable for industrial automation, smart factories, energy monitoring, PLC integration, and other industrial IoT applications requiring a reliable, cost-effective edge computing gateway.
Benefits for Integrators and Suppliers
Fast Deployment: Compact form factor and versatile interfaces simplify integration.
Lower Operational Costs: Remote management and offline continuity reduce maintenance and downtime.
Flexible Integration: Supports multiple industrial protocols and secondary development.
Resumo
So when we say “Node-RED is expensive,” we’re actually complaining about a reality: Node-RED is open-source and easy to use, but costly to implement. The real cost driver isn’t Node-RED itself, but the supporting infrastructure and operational expenses behind it. Node-RED Edge Gateway like the EG8200Lite bring pricing down to a level affordable for typical projects. For many enterprises, this precisely meets the demand for a solution that’s both effective and economical.
