FastGPT vs RAGFlow
Short answer
FastGPT: Knowledge-base Q&A and visual AI workflow platform. RAGFlow: RAG engine with deep document parsing (OCR, layout and tables) and cited answers. Both are in our Knowledge base & RAG category.
Choose FastGPT if you want: cheaper to host (from €19.99/mo vs €69.99/mo).
Choose RAGFlow if you want: fewer license conditions (Permissive vs Custom / conditional) and larger community (92.6k vs 29.9k GitHub stars).
Last updated · computed from each project's official docs and live GitHub data · sources
FastGPT vs RAGFlow side by side
| FastGPT | RAGFlow | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Knowledge base & RAG | Knowledge base & RAG |
| What it is | Knowledge-base Q&A and visual AI workflow platform. | RAG engine with deep document parsing (OCR, layout and tables) and cited answers. |
| License | FastGPT Open Source License (Apache-2.0 with conditions) | Apache-2.0 |
| License type | Custom / conditional | Permissive |
| License conditions | Commercial use is allowed. You need a commercial license to run a multi-tenant SaaS similar to FastGPT, or to remove or modify the logo or copyright in the console. | Permissive. Internal and commercial use allowed; keep license and notices. |
| Status | Active | Active |
| GitHub stars | 29.9k | 92.6k |
| Last commit | Oct 22, 2026 | Oct 22, 2026 |
| Latest release | v4.17.2 | v1.0.0-rc2 |
| Minimum hardware | 2 vCPU · 4 GB RAM | Not published |
| Recommended hardware | 2 vCPU · 8 GB RAM | 4 vCPU · 16 GB RAM · 50 GB disk |
| GPU | Not required / not stated | Not required / not stated |
| Est. server cost | from €19.99/mo (recommended spec: €35.99/mo) | from €69.99/mo |
| Deploy method | Docker Compose (install script) | Docker Compose |
| Known gotchas | 2 listed | 2 listed |
| Details | Full FastGPT guide → | Full RAGFlow guide → |
Key differences
- License: FastGPT: FastGPT Open Source License (Apache-2.0 with conditions) (Custom / conditional). RAGFlow: Apache-2.0 (Permissive).
- Official hardware: FastGPT: minimum 2 vCPU · 4 GB RAM (recommended 2 vCPU · 8 GB RAM). RAGFlow: recommended 4 vCPU · 16 GB RAM · 50 GB disk (no separate minimum published).
- Est. server cost: FastGPT: from €19.99/mo. RAGFlow: from €69.99/mo.
- Deploy: FastGPT: Docker Compose (install script) · multi-container stack. RAGFlow: Docker Compose · multi-container stack.
- GitHub stars: FastGPT: 29.9k. RAGFlow: 92.6k.
- Latest release: FastGPT: v4.17.2 (Oct 9, 2026). RAGFlow: v1.0.0-rc2 (Oct 16, 2026).
Same for both: Category: Knowledge base & RAG; GPU: not required or not stated; Status: Active; Last commit: Oct 22, 2026.
FastGPT vs RAGFlow: FAQ
FastGPT or RAGFlow: which should a small business choose?
Choose FastGPT if you want: cheaper to host (from €19.99/mo vs €69.99/mo). Choose RAGFlow if you want: fewer license conditions (Permissive vs Custom / conditional) and larger community (92.6k vs 29.9k GitHub stars).
Which is cheaper to self-host, FastGPT or RAGFlow?
FastGPT: cheaper to host (from €19.99/mo vs €69.99/mo).
How much hardware do FastGPT and RAGFlow need?
FastGPT: minimum 2 vCPU · 4 GB RAM (recommended 2 vCPU · 8 GB RAM). RAGFlow: recommended 4 vCPU · 16 GB RAM · 50 GB disk (no separate minimum published).
What is the license difference between FastGPT and RAGFlow?
FastGPT: FastGPT Open Source License (Apache-2.0 with conditions) (Custom / conditional). Commercial use is allowed. You need a commercial license to run a multi-tenant SaaS similar to FastGPT, or to remove or modify the logo or copyright in the console. RAGFlow: Apache-2.0 (Permissive). Permissive. Internal and commercial use allowed; keep license and notices. This is a summary, not legal advice.
Is FastGPT or RAGFlow more actively maintained?
FastGPT: Active, last commit Oct 22, 2026. RAGFlow: Active, last commit Oct 22, 2026. GitHub data refreshed Oct 22, 2026.
Which is easier to deploy, FastGPT or RAGFlow?
FastGPT installs via Docker Compose (install script) (multi-container stack); RAGFlow via Docker Compose (multi-container stack). FastGPT lists 2 known gotchas and RAGFlow lists 2; see each app page.
Related
- FastGPT self-hosting guide · RAGFlow self-hosting guide
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- All RAGFlow alternatives, ranked
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- FastGPT vs Open Notebook
- FastGPT vs PrivateGPT
- MaxKB vs RAGFlow
- Onyx (formerly Danswer) vs RAGFlow
- Add a third app in the interactive comparison
Sources
- FastGPT GitHub repository: github.com/labring/FastGPT
- FastGPT documentation, FastGPT hardware requirements: doc.fastgpt.io/self-host/deploy/docker
- FastGPT license: github.com/labring/FastGPT/blob/main/LICENSE
- FastGPT deploy instructions: github.com/labring/FastGPT#readme
- RAGFlow GitHub repository: github.com/infiniflow/ragflow
- RAGFlow documentation, RAGFlow hardware requirements, RAGFlow deploy instructions: github.com/infiniflow/ragflow#-get-started
- RAGFlow license: github.com/infiniflow/ragflow/blob/main/LICENSE
- Hetzner Cloud pricing used for cost estimates (read 2026-10-22): www.hetzner.com/cloud/regular-performance
- GitHub REST API (stars, commits, releases): docs.github.com/en/rest
Every value is generated from the same verified data as the app pages. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.