Dify is itself an open-source LLM app platform (Apache 2.0 with additional conditions), offering visual workflow building, RAG, and agent tooling with a free self-hosted edition. Someone on this page is likely comparing it against other open-source LLM app builders rather than looking for an open-source option in general.
Langflow is the main alternative to compare — it's MIT licensed and built specifically around LangChain, which matters if your team is already standardized on that ecosystem, whereas Dify ships its own workflow engine independent of LangChain.
FAQ
Is there a free, open-source alternative to Dify?
Yes. Langflow is MIT licensed and free to self-host, similar to Dify's own free self-hosted edition.
What's the best open-source alternative to Dify?
Langflow is the better pick if your team is already building on LangChain; Dify remains a strong choice if you want an all-in-one platform with its own workflow engine, RAG, and model management built in.
What are the top open-source alternatives to Dify?
Browse all open-source alternatives to Dify above, or explore the full Developer Tools category for more options.