The open-source Dify alternative that runs a workforce you own
The open-source Dify alternative is Kortix: your agents, their skills, your company memory, and every connector live in one git repo you own. Dify builds LLM apps on a canvas. Kortix runs a workforce of agents on real cloud computers, and its work lands through a review a person approves.
The open-source AI Operating System
# kortix.yamlkortix_version: 2default_agent: kortixagents: kortix: file: agents/kortix.mdThousands of agents in parallel on one config, each on its own cloud computer.
Kortix and the Dify alternatives, side by side
Each rival's facts come from its own site or repository; checked October 2026.
| Criteria | Our recommendationKortix | Dify | n8n | Langflow | Flowise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01What it is | The open-source AI Operating System. | An open-source LLM app platform: canvas, RAG, and agents. | An AI workflow automation canvas, with code under it. | A low-code builder for AI agents and RAG apps. | A drag-and-drop builder for LLM apps, over LangChain. |
| 02Open source | YesYes, and self-host is free. | Yes, self-host the Community Edition. | Yes, source on GitHub, self-host with Docker. | Yes, the same product on OSS or its cloud. | Yes, open source, installed with npm. |
| 03How the work runs | Agents run sessions on cloud computers; session work reaches main through a change request. | Compose a workflow on a canvas; publish it as a web app or API. | Wire nodes on a canvas, or write code, then run the workflow. | Drag components into a flow; run it or call it as an API. | Assemble agent blocks and a chatflow that calls tools. |
| 04Where it runs | Kortix Cloud, your VPC, or on-prem. | Dify Cloud, a VPC, or self-hosted. | n8n Cloud, or your own infrastructure. | A free cloud, or your own deployment. | Cloud or on-premises. |
| 05Who owns the config | You. Agents and skills are files in one git repo. | The Dify workspace holds apps, workflows, and knowledge bases. | Your instance, with git-based control and workflow diffs. | Your flows, customized with Python. | Your install, built on LangChain components. |
| 06Model choice | Any model provider with your own keys. Or the ChatGPT plan you already pay for. | Hundreds of proprietary and open-source LLMs, dozens of providers. | Connect any model; swap cloud or offline models. | All major LLMs, vector databases, and AI tools. | 100+ LLMs, embeddings, and vector databases. |
Rival columns reflect each project's own site or repository as of October 2026.
Six layers, one platform you own
Most tools hand you one layer and rent you the rest. Kortix is all six.
- 01One repo
One git repo that is the company.
Your agents, their skills, your company memory and every connector in one git repo you own.
kortix.yaml# kortix.yamlkortix_version: 2default_agent: kortixagents: kortix: file: agents/kortix.mdSource: kortix.com/docs/project/manifest - 02Connectors
Every tool the company already runs on.
3,000+ apps in a click, plus MCP, OpenAPI, Postman, GraphQL and raw HTTP.
kortix.yamlconnectors: - slug: gmail provider: composio app: gmail - slug: docs-search provider: mcpSource: kortix.com/docs/connect/connectors - 03Models
Any model, keep your keys.
Any model provider with your own keys. Or the ChatGPT plan you already pay for.
terminal$ kortix providers set anthropic$ kortix models default kimi-k3$ kortix sessions new --model kimi-k3Source: kortix.com/docs/project/models - 04Harness
The part that turns a model into an agent.
OpenCode is the harness. A model on its own answers; the harness gives it planning, tool use and multi-step runs it finishes.
terminal$ kortix connect <session_id>$ kortix tuiSource: kortix.com/docs/quickstart - 05Sessions
Every session gets its own cloud computer.
One isolated sandbox per session. Each session has its own isolated machine and branch.
terminal$ kortix sessions new -p "Fix the failing test and open a change request" --wait$ kortix sessions lsSource: kortix.com/docs/work/sessions - 06Change requests
One gate to land the work.
Session work reaches
mainthrough a change request. Merge is default-deny for agents.terminal$ kortix cr open --head tighten-triage$ kortix cr diff 1$ kortix cr merge 1Source: kortix.com/docs/git
GitHub stars
Open source. Read it, fork it, audit it.
A Dify alternative, answered
01What is Dify?
Dify is an open-source LLM app development platform: a visual canvas for AI workflows, RAG pipelines, and agents (Dify's repository). It is organized around the app you compose; Kortix is organized around the workforce you run.
02How is Kortix different from Dify?
Dify gives you an app to build and publish on a canvas. Kortix is the open-source AI Operating System: your agents, their skills, your company memory, and every connector live in one git repo you own, and each session runs on its own cloud computer.
03Is Kortix open source?
Yes. Kortix is the open-source AI Operating System. Read it, fork it, audit it, and self-host it for free.
04What does Kortix cost to start?
Self-host is free. Free is $0 with 200 credits per month and 1 project. The team plan is $40 per seat per month with 2,500 credits per month per seat, pooled.
Run your whole company from one repo you own.
Open source, any model, your keys, self-hosted for free or on Kortix Cloud.
Open source · Any model, your keys · Self-host, VPC, or on-prem