FastGPT: Open Source Alternative to Dify

FastGPT is an AI knowledge base platform with 28k+ GitHub stars — a Dify alternative for building chatbots with visual workflows and RAG.

Explore more open-source options in Developer Tools.

Key features

Visual workflow

• Drag and drop workflow builder
• Plugin system for custom nodes
• Sandbox for code execution
• Multi-turn conversation support

Knowledge base

• Document ingestion (PDF, Word, Markdown)
• Automatic chunking and QA splitting
• Multiple vector databases
• Hybrid search with reranking

Deployment

• One-click API deployment
• Share links and embed widgets
• WeChat and Feishu integration
• Team collaboration

FastGPT vs Dify

	FastGPT	Dify
License	Apache-2.0 (open source)	Proprietary
Models	Bring your own keys / local models	Vendor-locked models
Deployment	Self-hosted or cloud	SaaS only
Privacy	Data stays on your infrastructure	Processed by vendor
Cost	Free software + API usage	Subscription pricing

Choose FastGPT if you want open-source code, self-hosting options, and full control over your data and deployment.

Choose Dify if you prefer a managed proprietary product with vendor support and minimal setup.

Browse more open-source alternatives to Dify, or explore other tools in Developer Tools.

At a glance

License	Apache 2.0
Stack	TypeScript, Next.js
Self-hosted	Yes
Cloud	fastgpt.in
Database	MongoDB, PostgreSQL

Self-hosting

git clone https://github.com/labring/FastGPT.git
cd FastGPT/projects/app
docker compose up -d

Includes MongoDB, PostgreSQL, and pgvector.

FAQ

Is FastGPT a free alternative to Dify?

Yes. FastGPT is open source under Apache-2.0. You can self-host it at no software cost — you only pay for infrastructure or optional managed services.

How does FastGPT compare to Dify?

FastGPT gives you source code access, self-hosting, and data ownership. Dify is a proprietary product focused on managed convenience. See the comparison table above for a side-by-side breakdown.

Can I self-host FastGPT?

Yes. FastGPT supports self-hosted deployment, which is a core reason teams choose it over Dify. Check the Getting started or Self-hosting section for install commands.

Is FastGPT suitable for production?

FastGPT is actively maintained with a strong open-source community. Many teams run it in production as a Developer Tools alternative to Dify. Review the At a glance table for license and stack details.

What are alternatives to FastGPT and Dify?

Browse alternatives to Dify for more open-source options. Explore the full Developer Tools category for related projects.