FastGPT vs PrivateGPT
Short answer
FastGPT: Knowledge-base Q&A and visual AI workflow platform. PrivateGPT: API-first private document Q&A that sits on top of your own LLM server. Both are in our Knowledge base & RAG category.
Choose PrivateGPT if you want: fewer license conditions (Permissive vs Custom / conditional) and larger community (57.6k vs 29.9k 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
FastGPT vs PrivateGPT side by side
| FastGPT | PrivateGPT | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Knowledge base & RAG | Knowledge base & RAG |
| What it is | Knowledge-base Q&A and visual AI workflow platform. | API-first private document Q&A that sits on top of your own LLM server. |
| License | FastGPT Open Source License (Apache-2.0 with conditions) | Apache-2.0 |
| License type | Custom / conditional | Permissive |
| 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. | Permissive. Internal and commercial use allowed; keep license and notices. |
| Status | Active | Active |
| GitHub stars | 29.9k | 57.6k |
| Last commit | Oct 22, 2026 | Oct 20, 2026 |
| Latest release | v4.17.2 | v1.0.1 |
| Minimum hardware | 2 vCPU · 4 GB RAM | Not published |
| Recommended hardware | 2 vCPU · 8 GB RAM | Not published |
| GPU | Not required / not stated | Not required / not stated |
| Est. server cost | from €19.99/mo (recommended spec: €35.99/mo) | Not estimated |
| Deploy method | Docker Compose (install script) | uv (Python) or Docker |
| Known gotchas | 2 listed | 2 listed |
| Details | Full FastGPT guide → | Full PrivateGPT guide → |
Key differences
- License: FastGPT: FastGPT Open Source License (Apache-2.0 with conditions) (Custom / conditional). PrivateGPT: Apache-2.0 (Permissive).
- Official hardware: FastGPT: minimum 2 vCPU · 4 GB RAM (recommended 2 vCPU · 8 GB RAM). PrivateGPT: not published.
- Est. server cost: FastGPT: from €19.99/mo. PrivateGPT: not estimated (no official RAM figure).
- Deploy: FastGPT: Docker Compose (install script) · multi-container stack. PrivateGPT: uv (Python) or Docker · uv (Python) or Docker.
- GitHub stars: FastGPT: 29.9k. PrivateGPT: 57.6k.
- Last commit: FastGPT: Oct 22, 2026. PrivateGPT: Oct 20, 2026.
- Latest release: FastGPT: v4.17.2 (Oct 9, 2026). PrivateGPT: v1.0.1 (Jun 18, 2026).
Same for both: Category: Knowledge base & RAG; GPU: not required or not stated; Status: Active.
FastGPT vs PrivateGPT: FAQ
FastGPT or PrivateGPT: which should a small business choose?
Choose PrivateGPT if you want: fewer license conditions (Permissive vs Custom / conditional) and larger community (57.6k vs 29.9k GitHub stars). PrivateGPT publishes no official RAM figure, so we cannot compare hosting cost directly.
Which is cheaper to self-host, FastGPT or PrivateGPT?
FastGPT: from €19.99/mo. PrivateGPT: not estimated (no official RAM figure). 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 FastGPT and PrivateGPT need?
FastGPT: minimum 2 vCPU · 4 GB RAM (recommended 2 vCPU · 8 GB RAM). PrivateGPT: not published.
What is the license difference between FastGPT and PrivateGPT?
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. PrivateGPT: Apache-2.0 (Permissive). Permissive. Internal and commercial use allowed; keep license and notices. This is a summary, not legal advice.
Is FastGPT or PrivateGPT more actively maintained?
FastGPT: Active, last commit Oct 22, 2026. PrivateGPT: Active, last commit Oct 20, 2026. GitHub data refreshed Oct 22, 2026.
Which is easier to deploy, FastGPT or PrivateGPT?
FastGPT installs via Docker Compose (install script) (multi-container stack); PrivateGPT via uv (Python) or Docker (uv (Python) or Docker). FastGPT lists 2 known gotchas and PrivateGPT lists 2; see each app page.
Related
- FastGPT self-hosting guide · PrivateGPT self-hosting guide
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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
- PrivateGPT GitHub repository: github.com/zylon-ai/private-gpt
- PrivateGPT documentation, PrivateGPT hardware requirements: docs.privategpt.dev/getting-started/quickstart
- PrivateGPT license: github.com/zylon-ai/private-gpt/blob/main/LICENSE
- PrivateGPT deploy instructions: github.com/zylon-ai/private-gpt#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.