Listed in Vibe Coding

Dyad

Free, local, open-source AI app builder that works with any model. Pricing, the evidence and the alternatives, checked Oct 2026.

Source on GitHub under Apache-2.0, with 21,955 stars. Last commit 2026-10-16, so it's actively maintained. Repo checked 2026-10-17.

CH 33Build the appFree tier

Dyad Apache-2.0

Free, local, open-source AI app builder that works with any model.

Best for: Builders who want Lovable-style app building on their own machine with no lock-in.
Red flags: Free version needs your own API key, a ChatGPT login or a local model; Pro credits are $20/mo.
Price: $0 with these limitsFree forever with your own API key or local model; Basic Agent 20 messages/dayUpgrade: $20/mo (Pro, 200 AI credits); free forever with your own key

Opening line: “Build a habit tracker web app with Supabase auth and a weekly streak chart.”

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Our take on Dyad

Dyad: Free, local, open-source AI app builder that works with any model. Best for builders who want Lovable-style app building on their own machine with no lock-in. Watch out for: free version needs your own API key, a ChatGPT login or a local model; Pro credits are $20/mo. Price: $20/mo (Pro, 200 AI credits); free forever with your own key (free tier, checked Oct 2026).

Note: Desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux. Free tier is BYO model (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Ollama, LM Studio). Max is $79/mo with 900 credits. Core is Apache-2.0; the src/pro directory has its own license.

Free tier	Free tier: Free forever, bring your own model
Job in a stack	Build the app
Cheapest paid plan	Dyad Pro, $20/mo (monthly)
Price checked	2026-10-17, verified

What Dyad costs

Plan	Price	Billing	Key limits
Dyad Free	Free	free forever	Bring your own API key or local model; Basic Agent 20 messages/day
Dyad Pro	$20/mo	monthly	200 AI credits/mo, Pro Agent, web search, Academy
Dyad Max	$79/mo	monthly	900 AI credits/mo, priority office hours

From dyad.sh/pricing, checked 2026-10-17, verified. Prices are before tax and vendors change them often.

What outside sources say

Type	Source	Result	Date
adoption	GitHub stars	21,955 stars	2026-10-17

Our scores: quality 3.5/5, ease 3.5/5, value 3.5/5 ($5.71 per quality point). Editorial start 3.5/3.5; benchmark adjustment +0, rating adjustment +0. How we rank.

If Dyad isn’t the one

01
Lovable
From $25/mo, free tier first.

Chat your way to a full-stack web app. Best for non-coders shipping MVPs.
02
Bolt.new
From $25/mo, free tier first.

Prompt-to-app in the browser. Best for quick prototypes.
03
Replit
From $20/mo, free tier first.

Cloud IDE with an AI agent that builds and deploys. Best for learners and hosted apps.
04
v0
From $30/mo, free tier first.

Generate React/Next.js UI from prompts. Best for frontend UI.
05
Base44
From $16/mo, free tier first.

All-in-one no-code AI app builder. Best for internal tools.
06
Bubble
From $29/mo, free tier first.

Visual no-code app builder with AI. Best for scalable no-code SaaS.

Questions people ask

Is Dyad free?

Free tier. Cheapest paid plan: $20/mo (Pro, 200 AI credits); free forever with your own key (checked Oct 2026).

What is Dyad best for?

Builders who want Lovable-style app building on their own machine with no lock-in.

What are the downsides of Dyad?

Free version needs your own API key, a ChatGPT login or a local model; Pro credits are $20/mo.

What are the best Dyad alternatives?

Lovable, Bolt.new, Replit, v0.

Dyad Apache-2.0

Our take on Dyad

What Dyad costs

What outside sources say

If Dyad isn’t the one

Lovable

Bolt.new

Replit

v0

Base44

Bubble

Questions people ask