LangChain vs Dify

A side-by-side comparison of LangChain and Dify — ratings, pricing, strengths, weaknesses and who each one is best for.

Updated 2026

Criteria	LangChain Dev platform	Dify Dev platform
Rating	4.4	4.6
Pricing	Open source: Free LangSmith: $39/user/mo + usage	Open source: Free Sandbox: Free Professional: from $59/mo
Pros	✓ Huge ecosystem ✓ Rich integrations ✓ Active community ✓ LangSmith observability	✓ Open-source, self-hostable ✓ Visual orchestration ✓ RAG/Agent ✓ Multiple models
Cons	✗ Heavy abstractions ✗ Fast-changing versions ✗ Developer-oriented	✗ Self-hosting needs ops ✗ Advanced features paid ✗ Learning curve
Best for	LLM app development, Agents, RAG, Prototypes	Enterprise apps, RAG knowledge bases, Workflows, Prototypes
Platforms	Python, JavaScript, API	Web, Self-hosted, API

Our verdict

Dify edges ahead on our overall rating (4.6 vs 4.4 — a 0.2-point lead), but both are capable choices.

On price, LangChain starts at $39/user/mo + usage (LangSmith) and Dify starts at from $59/mo (Professional).

Choose LangChain if you want LLM app development, Agents. Choose Dify if you need Enterprise apps, RAG knowledge bases.

Read the full LangChain review →Read the full Dify review →

This verdict comes from comparing documented fields — rating, price tiers, best-for, platforms — not from running both tools on the same task. The rating is editorial judgement, not user reviews.

FAQ

Is LangChain better than Dify?

In our review LangChain rates 4.4/5 and Dify rates 4.6/5. LangChain is best for LLM app development, Agents, while Dify suits Enterprise apps, RAG knowledge bases — so the better choice depends on your priorities.

What is the difference between LangChain and Dify?

LangChain: An open-source framework for building LLM apps, connecting models, tools and data. Dify: An open-source LLM app platform with visual orchestration for agents, RAG and workflows.

Which is cheaper, LangChain or Dify?

LangChain starts at Free (Open source); Dify starts at Free (Open source).