LangChain vs LlamaIndex
A side-by-side comparison of LangChain and LlamaIndex — ratings, pricing, strengths, weaknesses and who each one is best for.
Updated 2026
| Criteria | Dev platform | Development platform |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 | 4.7 |
| Pricing |
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| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Best for | LLM app development, Agents, RAG, Prototypes | RAG apps, Private-data Q&A, Knowledge bases, Developers |
| Platforms | Python, JavaScript, API | Python |
Our verdict
LlamaIndex edges ahead on our overall rating (4.7 vs 4.4 — a 0.3-point lead), but both are capable choices.
Choose LangChain if you want LLM app development, Agents. Choose LlamaIndex if you need RAG apps, Private-data Q&A.
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 LlamaIndex?
In our review LangChain rates 4.4/5 and LlamaIndex rates 4.7/5. LangChain is best for LLM app development, Agents, while LlamaIndex suits RAG apps, Private-data Q&A — so the better choice depends on your priorities.
What is the difference between LangChain and LlamaIndex?
LangChain: An open-source framework for building LLM apps, connecting models, tools and data. LlamaIndex: Data framework for LLM apps — connects private data to large models and is a standard way to build RAG.
Which is cheaper, LangChain or LlamaIndex?
LangChain starts at Free (Open source); LlamaIndex starts at Free (Open source).