Dify vs Langflow: AI Agent Builder Comparison
Dify and Langflow are open-source tools for building AI agents and LLM workflows.
- Verified 13 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this page
- 8 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- No winner declaredFit depends on your criteria
- Not tested by Stack18Editorial summary of documented facts
Dify vs Langflow: the short answer
Dify and Langflow are open-source tools for building AI agents and LLM workflows. Dify offers a managed cloud from $59 a month as well as self-hosting, while Langflow is self-hosted or desktop only.
Dify is a more complete app platform with built-in RAG and plugins; Langflow is a flexible Python canvas. We compare what documentation supports and mark everything else Unknown. We declare no overall winner, because the better choice depends on channels, integrations, oversight needs, pricing model and budget.
Choose Dify if you- Developers building RAG chatbots and agents
- Teams that want to self-host
- Enterprises standardising on one AI app platform
Choose Langflow if you- Developers prototyping agents visually
- Teams wanting MIT-licensed tooling
- Organisations on IBM or DataStax stacks
Dify and Langflow at a glance.
One card per product, drawn from each full profile. Open a profile for features, pricing plans, limits and sources.
Dify
LangGenius · AI Chatbot Builders
Dify is an open-source platform from LangGenius for building and running LLM applications: agents, agentic workflows, chatbots and RAG pipelines, designed on a visual canvas and published as web apps, APIs, embeds or MCP-compatible tools. It is available as free self-hosted software and as Dify Cloud.
Agentic tool- Pricing
- Free self-hosted; Cloud Professional $59 and Team $159 a month; Enterprise custom.
- Best for
- Developers building RAG chatbots and agents
Langflow
DataStax, an IBM company · AI Chatbot Builders
Langflow is an open-source, low-code visual framework for building AI agents, RAG pipelines and multi-agent workflows on a drag-and-drop canvas, with hundreds of components for models, vector stores and tools. Flows can be served as APIs or MCP servers. It is maintained by DataStax, which IBM acquired.
Agentic tool- Pricing
- Free (MIT open source and desktop app); enterprise support custom.
- Best for
- Developers prototyping agents visually
Dify vs Langflow: feature-by-feature comparison.
Every row is drawn from the sources listed below. Rows that differ are marked, and you can filter the table to show only those.
- YesDocumented
- PartialAvailable with limits or on some plans
- NoDocumented as unavailable
- UnknownNot documented in the sources reviewed
| Dimension |  Dify |  Langflow |
|---|---|---|
| Product | ||
| Channels and interface | YesWeb apps, embeds, API and MCP. | YesSelf-hosted canvas; API and MCP. |
| AI models | Yes100+ providers, including local. | YesAny provider or local models. |
| Open-source or self-hosting | YesOpen source under the Dify Open Source License (Apache 2.0 with conditions). | YesMIT open source. |
| Pricing | ||
| Free tier | YesYes (self-host; 200 Cloud credits). | YesYes (MIT open source). |
| Pricing model | YesFree self-host; Cloud from $59 a month. | YesFree; hosting and models extra. |
| Published plan prices reviewed | YesSandbox free; $59 and $159 Cloud plans. | YesFree; enterprise custom. |
| Agent actions | ||
| Actions in business systems | YesAgents call tools and code. | YesAgents call tools and APIs. |
| Extensibility | ||
| Integrations, API and MCP | YesPublishes and consumes MCP tools. | YesFlows served as MCP servers. |
| Control | ||
| Human handoff and approval controlsDiffers | YesHuman review nodes. | PartialConfigurable within flows. |
| Administration | ||
| Security, compliance and admin | PartialSSO and RBAC on paid or Enterprise plans. | PartialSelf-managed; enterprise options via IBM. |
Dify vs Langflow pricing.
Dify pricing
Free self-hosted Community Edition; Cloud workspace subscriptions with message credits; Enterprise custom.
- Community (self-hosted)Free
- Sandbox (Cloud)Free
- Professional (Cloud)$59 per month
- Team (Cloud)$159 per month
- EnterpriseCustom
Prices from a vendor-published source. Checked 13 Nov 2026.
All Dify plans and sources
Langflow pricing
Free open source; you pay for hosting, models and vector databases; enterprise support via IBM/DataStax.
- Open source (self-hosted)Free
- Langflow DesktopFree
- EnterpriseCustom
Prices from a vendor-published source. Checked 13 Nov 2026.
All Langflow plans and sourcesDify: Free self-hosted; Cloud Professional $59 and Team $159 a month; Enterprise custom.
Langflow: Free (MIT open source and desktop app); enterprise support custom. Prices and allowances change often, so confirm on each vendor's live page.
Prices and plans change. Confirm current terms with each vendor before you decide.
Dify vs Langflow: implementation, ecosystem, AI and security.
Ease of implementation and usability
We did not test setup or onboarding effort. Pilot both on a real, bounded process from your business, with your own data, policies and escalation rules.
Integrations and ecosystem
Dify: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, Ollama and local models, 100+ model providers, MCP. Langflow: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Ollama, Astra DB, Vector databases.
AI capabilities
AI models: Dify - 100+ providers, including local. Langflow - Any provider or local models.
Security, deployment and administration
Security and admin controls: Dify - SSO and RBAC on paid or Enterprise plans. Langflow - Self-managed; enterprise options via IBM. Check each vendor's security documentation for certifications and data-retention terms.
Dify and Langflow: each option, in balance.
Dify
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Free self-hosting with the full visual builder.
- Broad model and plugin support.
- Large open-source community.
- Licence is not OSI-approved open source.
- SSO, RBAC and audit logs gated to paid plans.
- Cloud Sandbox has a 200-credit cap.
Langflow
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- MIT licence with a very large community.
- Flows as APIs and MCP servers.
- Corporate backing from DataStax and IBM.
- Managed cloud was shut down in April 2026.
- Self-hosting means owning security and uptime.
- Running costs are not free.
Dify or Langflow: which fits which situation?
No overall winner is declared. The better choice depends on the criteria that matter most to you, so test both against your own requirements.
Choose Dify if you…
- Developers building RAG chatbots and agents
- Teams that want to self-host
- Enterprises standardising on one AI app platform
Choose Langflow if you…
- Developers prototyping agents visually
- Teams wanting MIT-licensed tooling
- Organisations on IBM or DataStax stacks
Switching between Dify and Langflow.
Moving between Dify and Langflow means porting flows or code, re-creating model, vector store and tool connections, and re-running evaluations. Rebuild one workflow in the other framework before committing.
- Export a sample of your data and test an import into the other product.
- List the automations, integrations and permissions you would need to rebuild.
- Pilot with one team before a full cut-over.
- Check contract terms and notice periods with both vendors.
General guidance, not specific to either vendor. Confirm migration options with the vendors.
Dify vs Langflow: questions and answers
Is Dify or Langflow better?
The sources reviewed do not support a single ranking. Dify offers a managed cloud from $59 a month as well as self-hosting, while Langflow is self-hosted or desktop only. Pilot both on a sample of your own conversations, leads or workflows before choosing.
Does Dify have a free plan?
Yes. Self-hosting is free, and Dify Cloud Sandbox includes 200 message credits.
Does Langflow have a free plan?
Yes. Langflow is free and open source under MIT, including the desktop app.
Which is cheaper, Dify or Langflow?
Dify: Free self-hosted; Cloud Professional $59 and Team $159 a month; Enterprise custom. Langflow: Free (MIT open source and desktop app); enterprise support custom. The cheaper option depends on seats, usage and which plan features you need.
How do Dify and Langflow differ on integrations?
Dify: Publishes and consumes MCP tools. Langflow: Flows served as MCP servers.
Where this comparison comes from.
- Dify pricing teardown 2026 DEV Community (Beton) Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- Dify pricing blueprint UsagePricing Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- Dify listing Beri Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- Dify facts and plans MacMyths Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- Langflow Automation Atlas Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- DataStax, an IBM company IBM Official Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- Langflow pricing AI Tools Atlas Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- Langflow AI Tools Atlas Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
Comparison rows summarise the sources listed and the two profiles. Confirm current details with each vendor. Stack18 has not tested either product.
Ready to test Dify and Langflow?
Check each vendor's current pricing and terms, run both against a real scenario from your business, or talk to Stack18 if off-the-shelf software is not the answer.
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