OpenAI AgentKit vs Dify: AI Agent Builder Comparison
OpenAI AgentKit and Dify are toolkits for building AI agents.
- 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
OpenAI AgentKit vs Dify: the short answer
OpenAI AgentKit and Dify are toolkits for building AI agents. AgentKit has no separate fee and bills at OpenAI API token rates, while Dify is free to self-host with paid cloud plans.
AgentKit's visual Agent Builder shuts down on 30 November 2026 and it is OpenAI-only; Dify is open source and supports many model providers. 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 OpenAI AgentKit if you- Developers standardised on OpenAI models
- Teams embedding chat agents with ChatKit
- Existing Agent Builder users migrating to the SDK
Choose Dify if you- Developers building RAG chatbots and agents
- Teams that want to self-host
- Enterprises standardising on one AI app platform
OpenAI AgentKit and Dify at a glance.
One card per product, drawn from each full profile. Open a profile for features, pricing plans, limits and sources.
OpenAI AgentKit
OpenAI · AI Chatbot Builders
OpenAI AgentKit is a set of tools for building, deploying and optimising AI agents on OpenAI's platform: the Agents SDK and Responses API for code, ChatKit for embeddable chat interfaces, the Connector Registry for data connections, and Agent Builder, a visual canvas that OpenAI is retiring on 30 November 2026. AgentKit tools are included in standard API model pricing.
Agentic tool- Pricing
- No separate fee; billed at standard OpenAI API token rates.
- Best for
- Developers standardised on OpenAI models
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
OpenAI AgentKit vs Dify: 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 |  OpenAI AgentKit |  Dify |
|---|---|---|
| Product | ||
| Channels and interface | YesChatKit web UI and API. | YesWeb apps, embeds, API and MCP. |
| AI models | YesOpenAI models only. | Yes100+ providers, including local. |
| Open-source or self-hostingDiffers | PartialAgents SDK is open source; platform proprietary. | YesOpen source under the Dify Open Source License (Apache 2.0 with conditions). |
| Pricing | ||
| Free tierDiffers | NoNo (API usage is paid). | YesYes (self-host; 200 Cloud credits). |
| Pricing model | YesIncluded in API token pricing. | YesFree self-host; Cloud from $59 a month. |
| Published plan prices reviewed | YesIncluded in published API pricing. | YesSandbox free; $59 and $159 Cloud plans. |
| Agent actions | ||
| Actions in business systems | YesAgents call tools and connectors. | YesAgents call tools and code. |
| Extensibility | ||
| Integrations, API and MCP | YesMCP and Connector Registry. | YesPublishes and consumes MCP tools. |
| Control | ||
| Human handoff and approval controls | YesGuardrails and handoffs. | YesHuman review nodes. |
| Administration | ||
| Security, compliance and admin | PartialOpenAI platform controls. | PartialSSO and RBAC on paid or Enterprise plans. |
OpenAI AgentKit vs Dify pricing.
OpenAI AgentKit pricing
Included in standard OpenAI API pricing; you pay for model tokens and tools.
- AgentKit toolsIncluded with API pricing
- Model usagePer million tokens
Prices from a vendor-published source. Checked 13 Nov 2026.
All OpenAI AgentKit plans and sources
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 sourcesOpenAI AgentKit: No separate fee; billed at standard OpenAI API token rates.
Dify: Free self-hosted; Cloud Professional $59 and Team $159 a month; Enterprise 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.
OpenAI AgentKit vs Dify: 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
OpenAI AgentKit: OpenAI models, Responses API, Agents SDK, ChatKit, Connector Registry, MCP. Dify: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, Ollama and local models, 100+ model providers, MCP.
AI capabilities
AI models: OpenAI AgentKit - OpenAI models only. Dify - 100+ providers, including local.
Security, deployment and administration
Security and admin controls: OpenAI AgentKit - OpenAI platform controls. Dify - SSO and RBAC on paid or Enterprise plans. Check each vendor's security documentation for certifications and data-retention terms.
OpenAI AgentKit and Dify: each option, in balance.
OpenAI AgentKit
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- First-party tooling tightly integrated with OpenAI models.
- No separate fee beyond API usage.
- ChatKit gives a polished embeddable UI.
- Agent Builder retires on 30 November 2026.
- Locks you to OpenAI models.
- After the shutdown you must host the agent backend.
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.
OpenAI AgentKit or Dify: 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 OpenAI AgentKit if you…
- Developers standardised on OpenAI models
- Teams embedding chat agents with ChatKit
- Existing Agent Builder users migrating to the SDK
Choose Dify if you…
- Developers building RAG chatbots and agents
- Teams that want to self-host
- Enterprises standardising on one AI app platform
Switching between OpenAI AgentKit and Dify.
Moving between OpenAI AgentKit and Dify 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.
OpenAI AgentKit vs Dify: questions and answers
Is OpenAI AgentKit or Dify better?
The sources reviewed do not support a single ranking. AgentKit has no separate fee and bills at OpenAI API token rates, while Dify is free to self-host with paid cloud plans. Pilot both on a sample of your own conversations, leads or workflows before choosing.
Does OpenAI AgentKit have a free plan?
No separate plan; AgentKit tools are included with standard API usage, which is paid.
Does Dify have a free plan?
Yes. Self-hosting is free, and Dify Cloud Sandbox includes 200 message credits.
Which is cheaper, OpenAI AgentKit or Dify?
OpenAI AgentKit: No separate fee; billed at standard OpenAI API token rates. Dify: Free self-hosted; Cloud Professional $59 and Team $159 a month; Enterprise custom. The cheaper option depends on seats, usage and which plan features you need.
How do OpenAI AgentKit and Dify differ on integrations?
OpenAI AgentKit: MCP and Connector Registry. Dify: Publishes and consumes MCP tools.
Where this comparison comes from.
- Introducing AgentKit (with June 2026 update) OpenAI Official Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- OpenAI Agents API pricing in 2026 eesel AI Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- What is OpenAI AgentKit? eesel AI Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- OpenAI AgentKit explained Claude Market Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- 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
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 OpenAI AgentKit and Dify?
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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