Capability · Comparison
Dify vs Flowise
Dify and Flowise are the two most popular open-source visual LLM app builders in 2026. Dify is an opinionated end-to-end LLMOps platform — datasets, workflows, agents, eval, and operations as a single cohesive product. Flowise is a LangChain/LangGraph-native node-and-edge canvas that trades a bit of polish for deeper flexibility in pipeline design.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Dify | Flowise |
|---|---|---|
| Core model | LLMOps platform (workflows, datasets, ops) | Visual LangChain/LangGraph canvas |
| Primary audience | Product + ops teams | ML engineers + devs |
| Built-in eval | Yes — annotation + dataset eval | Limited — bring your own |
| RAG pipeline | Baked-in, covers most cases | Compose via nodes |
| Agent support | Agent + workflow modes | LangGraph/multi-agent via nodes |
| Self-host | Docker Compose / Helm | Docker / npm |
| License | Dify Open Source License (Apache-adjacent, some brand restrictions) | Apache 2.0 |
| Ecosystem | Self-contained | Inherits the LangChain ecosystem |
Verdict
For product teams that want to ship LLM apps quickly with minimal plumbing — pick Dify. The opinionated workflow, dataset, and eval loops save weeks. For ML engineering teams that want visual orchestration over LangChain primitives with full code-level escape hatches — pick Flowise. Both are self-hostable, both are actively maintained, and both can power production systems. The choice is almost entirely about team shape.
When to choose each
Choose Dify if…
- You want an opinionated LLMOps platform out of the box.
- Non-dev stakeholders (PMs, ops) will build or edit flows.
- You value baked-in eval, dataset management, and operations.
- You want fewer moving parts and faster time-to-ship.
Choose Flowise if…
- Your team already thinks in LangChain / LangGraph primitives.
- You need fine-grained control over node behaviour and custom code.
- You want Apache 2.0 without brand-use restrictions.
- You plan to extend the platform with custom nodes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I self-host both?
Yes — Dify via Docker Compose or Helm, Flowise via Docker or npm. Both have active Docker images and Helm charts.
Which is better for enterprise?
Dify, typically — its ops story (audit, permissions, datasets) is more mature. Flowise is catching up with Flowise Cloud and enterprise features.
Can Flowise do everything Dify does?
With effort, roughly yes — the flexibility is there. But you'll build the eval, dataset management, and operations yourself. Dify ships those as first-class features.
Sources
- Dify — GitHub — accessed 2026-04-20
- Flowise — GitHub — accessed 2026-04-20