app development

Dify

Build and deploy production-ready AI agents and RAG pipelines with a low-code orchestration platform that connects global LLMs to your data and enterprise tools.

Free plan available

$59/workspace/month

Dify screenshot

About Dify

Dify is an open-source platform designed for the rapid development and deployment of LLM-based applications. It functions as an orchestration layer that simplifies the complexity of building AI agents, chatbots, and RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) pipelines. By providing a unified interface to connect various large language models with private data and external tools, Dify allows developers to move from initial sketches to production-ready applications without managing fragmented infrastructure. The platform is designed to be production-ready from day one, offering stability and security for critical data assets. The platform features a visual workflow designer that utilizes a drag-and-drop interface, enabling users to build complex logic flows without deep coding requirements. Key technical components include advanced RAG pipelines for document processing, support for a wide range of model providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Llama 2, and integrated observability tools for monitoring application performance. It also supports local model integration through Ollama, providing flexibility for developers who prefer to keep data on-premise or use open-source alternatives. Users can also leverage a marketplace to discover and extend capabilities through various plugins. Dify is particularly well-suited for independent developers, startups looking to reach MVP quickly, and enterprise teams needing a scalable AI infrastructure. Startups can benefit from the out-of-the-box features to validate ideas at high velocity, while large organizations use the platform to distribute AI capabilities across multiple departments. The inclusion of role management and SOC Type II reports on higher tiers makes it a viable choice for organizations with strict security and collaboration requirements. It serves a wide range of roles from software engineers to data analysts who need to implement generative AI solutions. What sets Dify apart is its production-oriented philosophy combined with a massive open-source ecosystem, evidenced by over 129,000 GitHub stars. Unlike basic prompt wrappers, it offers comprehensive lifecycle management, including version control, log history, and advanced analytics. Its ability to balance ease of use through low-code tools with the power of self-hosting and deep integrations makes it a versatile middle ground for modern AI development. The platform's commitment to flexibility allows users to pivot between models and tools with minimal friction.

Dify pros & cons

Pros

  • Extensive model support including OpenAI, Anthropic, and open-source models via Ollama.
  • Visual workflow builder allows for complex LLM logic without deep programming knowledge.
  • Open-source foundation with a very active community and over 129,000 GitHub stars.
  • Production-ready features like SOC Type II reports and comprehensive log history.
  • Flexible deployment options including both cloud-hosted and self-hosted environments.

Cons

  • The Sandbox free plan is limited to only 200 total message credits for trial purposes.
  • The Professional plan restricts team collaboration to just three members per workspace.
  • Knowledge data storage on the entry-level plan is capped at a small 50MB limit.
  • Advanced branding and customization features are reserved for higher-tier paid plans.

Dify use cases

  • Independent developers can use the low-code builder to reach MVP status for AI applications in record time.
  • Enterprise AI teams can build internal Q&A bots that serve thousands of employees across multiple departments using RAG pipelines.
  • Startups can validate AI product ideas by rapidly pivoting between different LLMs and tools using the visual orchestration interface.
  • Marketing teams can automate the generation of multi-format copy by running multiple prompts simultaneously through sequential workflows.
  • Educators and students can access the platform's core features for free to learn about AI orchestration and agent building.

Dify features

  • agentic workflows
  • visual drag-and-drop editor
  • rag pipelines
  • marketplace for plugins
  • app version control
  • observability and logs
  • local model support (ollama)
  • model vendor management

Dify pricing

Is Dify free? Yes, Dify has a free plan, and paid plans start at $59 / workspace/month.

Sandbox

Free

  • 200 message credits
  • 1 Team Member
  • 5 Apps
  • 50 Knowledge Documents
  • 50MB Storage
  • 3,000 Trigger Events
  • 30 Days Log History
  • 5,000 API Rate Limit/month

Professional

$59 / workspace/month

  • 5,000 message credits/month
  • 3 Team Members
  • 50 Apps
  • 500 Knowledge Documents
  • 5GB Storage
  • 20,000 Trigger Events/month
  • Unlimited Log History
  • Priority Document Processing
  • No Dify API Rate Limit

Team

$159 / workspace/month

  • 10,000 message credits/month
  • 50 Team Members
  • 200 Apps
  • 1,000 Knowledge Documents
  • 20GB Storage
  • Unlimited Trigger Events
  • Priority Workflow Execution
  • 5,000 Annotation Quota Limits

Dify FAQs

Can I use Dify with local models?

Yes, Dify supports local models through integrations like Ollama and any OpenAI-like API. This allows developers to run private or open-source models while using Dify's orchestration interface.

What is the difference between Cloud and Self-hosted versions?

Dify Cloud is a managed service for immediate application building, while the Self-hosted version allows you to install the platform on your own infrastructure. Self-hosting is typically preferred for enterprises with strict data privacy and local hosting requirements.

How do message credits work?

Message credits are consumed when you send messages to your AI applications on the Cloud platform. The Sandbox plan provides 200 trial credits, while paid plans provide a monthly recurring quota starting at 5,000 credits.

Is Dify secure for enterprise data?

Dify provides enterprise-grade security features, including SOC Type II reports for its cloud infrastructure. It also offers role management and the option for self-hosting to ensure sensitive data assets remain protected.

Does Dify support RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation)?

Yes, Dify includes a comprehensive Knowledge Base (RAG) system that supports batch document uploads, website crawling, and custom pipeline templates. It features advanced document processing to optimize data for LLM retrieval.

Ratings & reviews

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