LightRAG vs OpenCode
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted self-hosted ai options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
LightRAG
Simple and fast retrieval-augmented generation with graphs
VS
OpenCode
The open source AI coding agent
| Feature | LightRAG | OpenCode |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Self-Hosted AI | Self-Hosted AI |
| License | MIT | free |
| Language | Python | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, source | docker, one-click |
| GitHub stars | ★ 38,622 | ★ 194,821 |
| First released | 2024 | 2022 |
| Replaces | OpenAI Assistants | — |
Why pick each one
Choose LightRAG if…
- Released under the MIT license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 38.6k GitHub stars
- Written in Python
Choose OpenCode if…
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- One-click install on common self-host platforms
- Mature project with 194.8k GitHub stars
Frequently asked questions
Is LightRAG or OpenCode better?
OpenCode is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider LightRAG if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are LightRAG and OpenCode free and open-source?
Yes. LightRAG is licensed under MIT and OpenCode under free. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run LightRAG and OpenCode with Docker?
LightRAG: yes. OpenCode: yes.