FlowForge

Self-Hosted

Open-source platform for managing Node-RED instances at scale for IoT

Overview

FlowForge is an open-source platform designed to simplify managing Node-RED instances for IoT applications. It enables teams to deploy, monitor, and scale Node-RED flows centrally, with collaboration tools for shared development, version control for flow changes, and real-time monitoring of instance health. Deployment options include Docker Compose, Kubernetes, or bare metal, making it flexible for small IoT projects or enterprise-scale deployments. It supports multi-tenant setups, allowing organizations to host multiple Node-RED environments while maintaining security and control.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  flowforge:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: flowforge
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Centralized management of Node-RED instances
Collaboration tools for flow development teams
Scalable deployment via Docker, Kubernetes, or bare metal
Version control and rollback for IoT flows
Real-time monitoring and alerting for instance health

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is FlowForge hard to install?

FlowForge offers easy deployment via Docker Compose for small setups, or Kubernetes for scaling. The Community Edition has detailed documentation, so users with basic Docker knowledge can get it running quickly. For enterprise setups, additional technical expertise may be needed.

? Is FlowForge a good alternative to Node-RED Cloud?

Yes—FlowForge provides managed Node-RED features like instance scaling and collaboration but allows self-hosting, giving full control over data and infrastructure. Unlike Node-RED Cloud (proprietary), it avoids vendor lock-in and supports custom deployments.

? Is FlowForge completely free?

The Community Edition is free and open-source (MIT license) for self-hosting. Paid tiers (Pro, Enterprise) offer advanced features like priority support, multi-tenant management, and SLA guarantees for mission-critical IoT deployments.

Top Alternatives

Node-RED Cloud (IBM, proprietary) Search Google

Losant (Proprietary IoT platform) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source (with Paid Enterprise Tiers)

Category Internet of Things (IoT)

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused self-hosted deployment
⊕ No vendor lock-in (open-source core)
⊕ Seamless integration with Node-RED (IoT flow standard)
⊕ Supports multi-tenant setups for enterprise use

Cons

⊖ Requires basic Node-RED knowledge to use effectively
⊖ Advanced features (enterprise support) require paid tiers
⊖ Initial setup may need technical expertise (Docker/Kubernetes)
⊖ Limited pre-built integrations compared to proprietary alternatives