SelfHostMap

PrivateGPT vs RAGFlow

Short answer

PrivateGPT: API-first private document Q&A that sits on top of your own LLM server. RAGFlow: RAG engine with deep document parsing (OCR, layout and tables) and cited answers. Both are in our Knowledge base & RAG category.

Choose RAGFlow if you want: larger community (92.6k vs 57.6k GitHub stars).

PrivateGPT publishes no official RAM figure, so we cannot compare hosting cost directly.

Last updated · computed from each project's official docs and live GitHub data · sources

PrivateGPT vs RAGFlow side by side

PrivateGPTRAGFlow
CategoryKnowledge base & RAGKnowledge base & RAG
What it isAPI-first private document Q&A that sits on top of your own LLM server.RAG engine with deep document parsing (OCR, layout and tables) and cited answers.
LicenseApache-2.0Apache-2.0
License typePermissivePermissive
License conditionsPermissive. Internal and commercial use allowed; keep license and notices.Permissive. Internal and commercial use allowed; keep license and notices.
StatusActiveActive
GitHub stars57.6k92.6k
Last commitOct 20, 2026Oct 22, 2026
Latest releasev1.0.1v1.0.0-rc2
Minimum hardwareNot publishedNot published
Recommended hardwareNot published4 vCPU · 16 GB RAM · 50 GB disk
GPUNot required / not statedNot required / not stated
Est. server costNot estimatedfrom €69.99/mo
Deploy methoduv (Python) or DockerDocker Compose
Known gotchas2 listed2 listed
DetailsFull PrivateGPT guide →Full RAGFlow guide →

Key differences

  • Official hardware: PrivateGPT: not published. RAGFlow: recommended 4 vCPU · 16 GB RAM · 50 GB disk (no separate minimum published).
  • Est. server cost: PrivateGPT: not estimated (no official RAM figure). RAGFlow: from €69.99/mo.
  • Deploy: PrivateGPT: uv (Python) or Docker · uv (Python) or Docker. RAGFlow: Docker Compose · multi-container stack.
  • GitHub stars: PrivateGPT: 57.6k. RAGFlow: 92.6k.
  • Last commit: PrivateGPT: Oct 20, 2026. RAGFlow: Oct 22, 2026.
  • Latest release: PrivateGPT: v1.0.1 (Jun 18, 2026). RAGFlow: v1.0.0-rc2 (Oct 16, 2026).

Same for both: Category: Knowledge base & RAG; License: Apache-2.0 (Permissive); GPU: not required or not stated; Status: Active.

PrivateGPT vs RAGFlow: FAQ

PrivateGPT or RAGFlow: which should a small business choose?

Choose RAGFlow if you want: larger community (92.6k vs 57.6k GitHub stars). PrivateGPT publishes no official RAM figure, so we cannot compare hosting cost directly.

Which is cheaper to self-host, PrivateGPT or RAGFlow?

PrivateGPT: not estimated (no official RAM figure). RAGFlow: from €69.99/mo. Our estimate is the cheapest Hetzner Cloud plan that meets each project's official RAM and vCPU figure; it covers the server only.

How much hardware do PrivateGPT and RAGFlow need?

PrivateGPT: not published. RAGFlow: recommended 4 vCPU · 16 GB RAM · 50 GB disk (no separate minimum published).

What is the license difference between PrivateGPT and RAGFlow?

PrivateGPT: Apache-2.0 (Permissive). Permissive. Internal and commercial use allowed; keep license and notices. RAGFlow: Apache-2.0 (Permissive). Permissive. Internal and commercial use allowed; keep license and notices. This is a summary, not legal advice.

Is PrivateGPT or RAGFlow more actively maintained?

PrivateGPT: Active, last commit Oct 20, 2026. RAGFlow: Active, last commit Oct 22, 2026. GitHub data refreshed Oct 22, 2026.

Which is easier to deploy, PrivateGPT or RAGFlow?

PrivateGPT installs via uv (Python) or Docker (uv (Python) or Docker); RAGFlow via Docker Compose (multi-container stack). PrivateGPT lists 2 known gotchas and RAGFlow lists 2; see each app page.

Related

Sources

Every value is generated from the same verified data as the app pages. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.