FastGPT vs Onyx (formerly Danswer)
Short answer
FastGPT: Knowledge-base Q&A and visual AI workflow platform. Onyx (formerly Danswer): AI chat and enterprise search connected to 50+ workplace apps. Both are in our Knowledge base & RAG category.
Choose FastGPT if you want: cheaper to host (from €19.99/mo vs €69.99/mo) and lighter official minimum (4 GB vs 10 GB RAM).
Choose Onyx (formerly Danswer) if you want: fewer license conditions (Open core vs Custom / conditional).
Last updated · computed from each project's official docs and live GitHub data · sources
FastGPT vs Onyx (formerly Danswer) side by side
| FastGPT | Onyx (formerly Danswer) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Knowledge base & RAG | Knowledge base & RAG |
| What it is | Knowledge-base Q&A and visual AI workflow platform. | AI chat and enterprise search connected to 50+ workplace apps. |
| License | FastGPT Open Source License (Apache-2.0 with conditions) | MIT (Community Edition) + Onyx Enterprise License (ee directories) |
| License type | Custom / conditional | Open core |
| 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. | The Community Edition is MIT. Code in "ee" directories is under the Onyx Enterprise License. |
| Status | Active | Active |
| GitHub stars | 29.9k | 32.8k |
| Last commit | Oct 22, 2026 | Oct 22, 2026 |
| Latest release | v4.17.2 | v4.9.2 |
| Minimum hardware | 2 vCPU · 4 GB RAM | 4 vCPU · 10 GB RAM · 32 GB disk |
| Recommended hardware | 2 vCPU · 8 GB RAM | 8 vCPU · 16 GB RAM · 500 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) | Install script (Docker Compose) |
| Known gotchas | 2 listed | 2 listed |
| Details | Full FastGPT guide → | Full Onyx (formerly Danswer) guide → |
Key differences
- License: FastGPT: FastGPT Open Source License (Apache-2.0 with conditions) (Custom / conditional). Onyx (formerly Danswer): MIT (Community Edition) + Onyx Enterprise License (ee directories) (Open core).
- Official hardware: FastGPT: minimum 2 vCPU · 4 GB RAM (recommended 2 vCPU · 8 GB RAM). Onyx (formerly Danswer): minimum 4 vCPU · 10 GB RAM · 32 GB disk (recommended 8 vCPU · 16 GB RAM · 500 GB disk).
- Est. server cost: FastGPT: from €19.99/mo. Onyx (formerly Danswer): from €69.99/mo.
- Deploy: FastGPT: Docker Compose (install script) · multi-container stack. Onyx (formerly Danswer): Install script (Docker Compose) · multi-container stack.
- GitHub stars: FastGPT: 29.9k. Onyx (formerly Danswer): 32.8k.
- Latest release: FastGPT: v4.17.2 (Oct 9, 2026). Onyx (formerly Danswer): v4.9.2 (Oct 15, 2026).
Same for both: Category: Knowledge base & RAG; GPU: not required or not stated; Status: Active; Last commit: Oct 22, 2026.
FastGPT vs Onyx (formerly Danswer): FAQ
FastGPT or Onyx (formerly Danswer): which should a small business choose?
Choose FastGPT if you want: cheaper to host (from €19.99/mo vs €69.99/mo) and lighter official minimum (4 GB vs 10 GB RAM). Choose Onyx (formerly Danswer) if you want: fewer license conditions (Open core vs Custom / conditional).
Which is cheaper to self-host, FastGPT or Onyx (formerly Danswer)?
FastGPT: cheaper to host (from €19.99/mo vs €69.99/mo).
How much hardware do FastGPT and Onyx (formerly Danswer) need?
FastGPT: minimum 2 vCPU · 4 GB RAM (recommended 2 vCPU · 8 GB RAM). Onyx (formerly Danswer): minimum 4 vCPU · 10 GB RAM · 32 GB disk (recommended 8 vCPU · 16 GB RAM · 500 GB disk).
What is the license difference between FastGPT and Onyx (formerly Danswer)?
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. Onyx (formerly Danswer): MIT (Community Edition) + Onyx Enterprise License (ee directories) (Open core). The Community Edition is MIT. Code in "ee" directories is under the Onyx Enterprise License. This is a summary, not legal advice.
Is FastGPT or Onyx (formerly Danswer) more actively maintained?
FastGPT: Active, last commit Oct 22, 2026. Onyx (formerly Danswer): Active, last commit Oct 22, 2026. GitHub data refreshed Oct 22, 2026.
Which is easier to deploy, FastGPT or Onyx (formerly Danswer)?
FastGPT installs via Docker Compose (install script) (multi-container stack); Onyx (formerly Danswer) via Install script (Docker Compose) (multi-container stack). FastGPT lists 2 known gotchas and Onyx (formerly Danswer) lists 2; see each app page.
Related
- FastGPT self-hosting guide · Onyx (formerly Danswer) self-hosting guide
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- All Onyx (formerly Danswer) alternatives, ranked
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- 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
- Onyx (formerly Danswer) GitHub repository: github.com/onyx-dot-app/onyx
- Onyx (formerly Danswer) documentation, Onyx (formerly Danswer) hardware requirements: docs.onyx.app/deployment/getting_started/resourcing
- Onyx (formerly Danswer) license: github.com/onyx-dot-app/onyx/blob/main/LICENSE
- Onyx (formerly Danswer) deploy instructions: github.com/onyx-dot-app/onyx#readme
- 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.