DSPy vs Dify: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between DSPy and Dify comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
DSPy
Program large language models with structured code, not brittle strings.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need ai model deployment features specifically
- • Build AI software with structured code instead of prompt engineering.
- • Compiles AI programs into effective prompts and weights for various LMs.
Dify
Develop, deploy, and manage autonomous agents and RAG pipelines for AI applications.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need ai agents features specifically
- • Build and deploy agentic AI workflows and RAG pipelines with a visual interface.
- • Integrates with various LLMs and offers unified knowledge management.
| At a Glance |  DSPy |  Dify |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | AI Model Deployment | AI Agents |
Rating | —/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | DSPy | Dify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | AI Model DeploymentAI Fine-Tuning | AI AgentsWorkflow Automation |
How DSPy and Dify Compare
DSPy
Program large language models with structured code, not brittle strings.
Free
Dify
Develop, deploy, and manage autonomous agents and RAG pipelines for AI applications.
Free tier available · 84/100 score
DSPy is a ai model deployment tool. Dify is in ai agents.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
DSPy is free. Dify is freemium.
Go with: DSPy
Want the highest-rated option?
Dify scores 84/100. DSPy is unrated.
Go with: Dify
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Dify
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
DSPy is free. Dify is freemium. Go with DSPy if free matters most.
What's your use case?
DSPy is a ai model deployment tool. Dify is in ai agents. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Dify
- Higher score: 84/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
DSPy
- Completely free
- Better fit for ai model deployment
The Bottom Line
Dify (84/100) is our pick. That said, DSPy is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DSPy or Dify better?
Dify scores 84/100 in our evaluation. DSPy is free and Dify is freemium.
What are DSPy and Dify used for?
DSPy: Program large language models with structured code, not brittle strings.. Dify: Develop, deploy, and manage autonomous agents and RAG pipelines for AI applications..
What does DSPy cost vs Dify?
DSPy is completely free. Dify is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.