7.5× less RAM,
2.4× less CPU
than Node-RED.
Same Modbus-to-PostgreSQL scenario. Same hardware (MacBook Pro M1 Pro, 32GB). RustRED uses 17.2MB RAM at 0.39% CPU — Node-RED needs 129MB at 0.94% CPU. Powered by RustRED. Managed by Voltrus.
Node-RED
129 MB RAM · 0.94% CPU · Node.js
RustRED
17.2 MB RAM · 0.39% CPU · Rust (Tokio)
01 — The Problem
Your flow automation shouldn't need
a full server to run.
Node-RED brought visual flow programming to everyone. But in production, teams hit the same walls: bloated memory, npm supply-chain risks, no multi-user support, and a runtime never designed for the edge.
200 MB+ Memory
Node-RED needs 200MB+ RAM just to idle. On Raspberry Pi or industrial gateways with 512MB, that's a non-starter. RustRED idles at ~4.7MB.
Supply-Chain Risk
Every npm install is a risk. Node-RED plugins have unrestricted filesystem and network access. One compromised package takes down your production flows.
Slow Cold Starts
Node.js V8 startup adds 1-3 seconds before your first message. On edge devices that power-cycle daily, that's lost data. RustRED starts in milliseconds.
02 — Features
Built for production.
Engineered for reliability.
RustRED runs your Node-RED flows with less memory, faster cold starts, and sandboxed plugins. Voltrus adds the management layer your team needs.
High-Throughput Processing
Native async runtime handles 10x more messages per second with deterministic latency. No garbage collection pauses, no runtime jitter.
Supply-Chain Attack Prevention
Custom nodes run in sandboxed WebAssembly. No unrestricted filesystem or network access. One compromised plugin can't take down your production.
Zero-Dependency Deployment
Ship a single 9.2MB static binary to Raspberry Pi, industrial gateways, or cloud VMs. No Node.js, no Docker, no package installs. Copy and run.
Seamless Migration
Import your Node-RED flow JSON files directly. Compatible with the Node-RED editor and existing patterns. No rewrite, no downtime.
Minimal Attack Surface
Compile only what you need. Toggle Modbus, MQTT, PostgreSQL, or AI with feature flags. Smaller binary, fewer vulnerabilities, faster audits.
Protocol-Native Integration
Built-in Modbus TCP/RTU, MQTT broker, and PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB. No adapter middleware, no extra licensing. Connect directly to your equipment.
03 — Compare
How it compares to what you're using now
See how RustRED stacks up against the tools you're already using. Built for the same workflows, engineered for production.
Self-hosted vs Voltrus
Managed Hosting
RustRED is the engine.
Voltrus is the platform.
Self-host RustRED for free, or let Voltrus handle infrastructure, team management, and fleet deployment so you can focus on your flows.
Managed Hosting
No server provisioning, no updates, no backups. Voltrus Cloud runs your RustRED instances with automatic scaling, failover, and 99.9% uptime SLA.
Team Management & RBAC
Add team members with role-based access control. Admins, editors, viewers — each with scoped permissions. Audit every action.
Fleet Management
Deploy flows to hundreds of edge devices from a single dashboard. Monitor health, push updates over-the-air, and rollback if needed.
Centralized Monitoring
Real-time dashboards for all your RustRED instances. Alerts for high memory, disconnected devices, or failed flows. Logs aggregated in one place.
Enterprise SSO
Integrate with your identity provider. SAML, OIDC, and LDAP support for Enterprise plans. No separate accounts to manage.
Professional Migration
Our team migrates your Node-RED flows to RustRED, audits your architecture, and trains your engineers. Get to production faster.
04 — Use Cases
Built for edge, IoT, and industrial automation.
From factory floors to solar farms to smart buildings — anywhere you need lightweight, reliable flow automation that runs on constrained hardware.
Industrial IoT Gateways
Run flow automation on Raspberry Pi or industrial gateways with 512MB RAM. Collect data from Modbus devices, transform, and publish to MQTT.
PLC Data Collection
Poll PLCs over Modbus TCP/RTU, aggregate data, and push to PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB for dashboarding. One binary, no middleware stack.
Solar & Energy Monitoring
Collect inverter data, meter readings, and weather station values. Transform and forward to cloud platforms via MQTT. Runs on a $35 Pi.
Building Automation
Connect HVAC controllers, lighting systems, and sensors. Route data between BACnet, Modbus, and MQTT protocols with visual flows.
Node-RED Migration
Import your existing Node-RED flows and run them on a faster, safer runtime. Same editor, same patterns, better performance. No rewrite needed.
Edge Computing
Deploy to thousands of edge devices with a single 9.2MB binary. OTA updates, fleet management, and centralized monitoring via Voltrus Cloud.
05 — FAQ
Common questions
cargo install rustred. Run rustred to start the runtime and editor. Import a Node-RED flow JSON file and you're running.Pricing
Start free.
Scale with Voltrus.
RustRED is free and open source (AGPL-3.0). Voltrus adds managed hosting, RBAC, fleet management, and enterprise support.
Self-Hosted
Free
AGPL-3.0 · Forever
- ✓ Full RustRED runtime
- ✓ WASM plugin system
- ✓ All protocols (Modbus, MQTT)
- ✓ Node-RED flow import
- ✓ Community support
Voltrus Cloud
$249/mo
Per instance · Billed annually
- ✓ Everything in Self-Hosted
- ✓ Managed hosting & updates
- ✓ Multi-user & RBAC
- ✓ Fleet management (up to 50)
- ✓ Centralized monitoring
- ✓ Priority email support
Enterprise
Custom
On-premise or cloud · SLA
- ✓ Everything in Cloud
- ✓ Unlimited fleet
- ✓ SSO (SAML, OIDC, LDAP)
- ✓ Audit logs & compliance
- ✓ Dedicated SLA
- ✓ Migration & training
Get Started
Run RustRED free.
Scale with Voltrus.
RustRED is free and open source (AGPL-3.0). When you need managed hosting, team management, or fleet deployment, Voltrus is ready.
Trusted by engineers
Built for teams that
can't afford downtime.
Professional Migration
Our engineers migrate your Node-RED flows to RustRED. We audit your architecture, optimize node configurations, and validate every flow before going live.
Team Training
Hands-on workshops for your engineers. Cover RustRED internals, WASM plugin development, fleet management, and production best practices.
Ongoing Support
Dedicated support channel with guaranteed response times. Architecture reviews, performance tuning, and upgrade assistance included.
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