labring/FastGPT
FastGPT is a knowledge-based platform built on the LLMs, offers a comprehensive suite of out-of-the-box capabilities such as data processing, RAG retrieval, and visual AI workflow orchestration, letting you easily develop and deploy complex question-answering systems without the need for extensive setup or configuration.
FastGPT is a source-available platform for building knowledge-based assistants, combining document ingestion, RAG retrieval, and a visual workflow editor. You upload your data, design a flow on a canvas, and deploy a Q&A bot or API, with support for OpenAI, Claude, DeepSeek, and Qwen.
Our Review
FastGPT, from the labring team, has grown to 28,000 GitHub stars across a large Chinese and international user base. It pairs a document knowledge base with a drag-and-drop workflow editor, so you can turn a pile of files into a question-answering bot and wire in logic, tools, and model calls without writing the pipeline yourself.
What FastGPT does:
- •Document knowledge base upload PDFs, docs, and web pages; FastGPT chunks, embeds, and indexes them for retrieval.
- •Visual workflow editor drag and connect nodes for retrieval, model calls, conditionals, and tools to build answer logic.
- •RAG question-answering answers cite the source passages they came from, reducing made-up responses.
- •Multi-model support works with OpenAI, Claude, DeepSeek, Qwen, and other models, including via MCP.
- •API and embeddable chat publish a workflow as an API or an embeddable chat widget for your site or app.
- •Team and dataset management organize knowledge bases, apps, and members for shared use.
Getting started:
Self-host with Docker Compose from the repo, or use the hosted fastgpt.io. Create a knowledge base, upload documents, build a workflow, and publish. Docs are linked from fastgpt.io.
Limitations:
FastGPT is source-available rather than fully open source: its license is free for self-hosting but restricts offering it as a competing multi-tenant service, so read the terms before commercial use. Self-hosting means running the stack (it uses MongoDB, Postgres, and a vector store) yourself. Much of the community and original documentation is Chinese-first, though English docs exist. The visual builder covers most needs, but very custom logic can require code.
Our Verdict
FastGPT is one of the most complete source-available platforms in 2026 for turning documents into a deployable AI assistant. If you want a knowledge base plus a visual workflow builder in one self-hostable package, with citations and multi-model support, FastGPT covers a lot of ground, with 28,000 stars behind it.
For vibe builders, the visual editor is the draw: upload your files, wire a flow on the canvas, and ship a question-answering bot or embeddable widget without writing retrieval code, especially via the hosted fastgpt.io.
For developers, FastGPT self-hosts with Docker, exposes APIs, and works across OpenAI, Claude, DeepSeek, and Qwen, so you can keep data in your environment and swap models freely. Check the license terms first, since it restricts offering FastGPT as a competing hosted service.
Skip FastGPT if you need a permissive open-source license for commercial resale; its terms are more restrictive than MIT or Apache. If you only need a simple chat over a few documents, a lighter RAG tool is less to run.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FastGPT?
FastGPT is a knowledge-based AI platform from the labring team for building question-answering assistants over your own documents. It combines data ingestion, RAG retrieval, and a visual drag-and-drop workflow editor, so you can turn files into a chatbot or API. It supports models including OpenAI, Claude, DeepSeek, and Qwen, and can run self-hosted or on the hosted fastgpt.io.
Is FastGPT free and open source?
FastGPT is source-available rather than fully open source as of 2026. Its code is public and free to self-host, but the FastGPT Open Source License adds commercial conditions, notably restricting offering it as a competing multi-tenant hosted service. Read the license before commercial use. A paid hosted plan is available at fastgpt.io.
What can I build with FastGPT?
FastGPT is built for document question-answering and AI workflow apps. Common builds include internal knowledge assistants, customer-support bots over a help center, and multi-step agents that retrieve, call tools, and branch on a visual canvas. You upload data, design the flow, and deploy it as an API or an embeddable chat widget.
How is FastGPT different from a plain RAG library?
A RAG library like LlamaIndex gives developers code-level building blocks. FastGPT is a full platform with a UI: knowledge-base management, a visual workflow editor, team features, and a hosted option. Choose a RAG library when you want code control and a custom pipeline; choose FastGPT when you want a ready-made, visual way to ship a QA bot.
Can I self-host FastGPT?
Yes. FastGPT is designed to be self-hosted as of 2026 using Docker Compose, and it runs on services like MongoDB, Postgres, and a vector store. Self-hosting keeps your documents and workflows in your own environment. Just review the source-available license terms first, since they place conditions on certain commercial and hosted uses.
How do I install FastGPT?
Visit the GitHub repository at https://github.com/labring/FastGPT for installation instructions.
What license does FastGPT use?
FastGPT uses the FastGPT OSL license.
What are alternatives to FastGPT?
Explore related tools and alternatives on My AI Guide.
Open source & community-verified
FastGPT OSL licensed: free to use in any project, no strings attached. 28,250 developers have starred this, meaning the community has reviewed and trusted it.
Reviewed by My AI Guide for relevance, quality, and active maintenance before listing.
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