Langflow
Build model, retrieval and tool workflows on a visual canvas, then expose them through API or MCP.
- Starting price
- $0 software licence
- Free access
- Self-managed edition
- Billing unit
- Compute / provider usage separate
- Platform
- Python / Desktop / Docker
- Verified
- 17 Oct 2026
Overview
What you provide
- You provide a workflow graph, documents, a model connection and tool settings.
What you get
- You receive runnable flows, API responses and MCP tools.
Choosing this tool
Choose Langflow when a developer needs to inspect each component while iterating with colleagues. Its Python customization and API export make the canvas a starting point for integration; a desktop-only chat tool does not give the same workflow boundary. Choose Haystack when changes should be reviewed entirely as code.
A decision worked through
For a document-answering flow, separate document loading, retrieval and generation. If an answer is wrong, inspect the retrieved passages before changing the prompt: an empty retrieval result cannot be repaired by a more confident model.
Langflow alternatives: choose an implementation route
For Langflow, compare a visual workflow service against two code-first frameworks, including what your team must deploy beyond the editor.
| Product | Deployment requirements | Free allowance | Input → output | Key limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LangflowRead profileOfficial source ↗ | Python 3.10–3.14 package or Windows/macOS Desktop; connect a model provider. A local GPU is not a requirement for a cloud-model workflow. | Self-managed edition | Workflow graph, documents, model connection and tool settings → Runnable flows, API responses and MCP tools | See the product-specific review limits below. |
| HaystackRead profileOfficial source ↗ | Python library, not a desktop app: wire retrieval/model components and build the hosting and permissions layer. Hardware follows the chosen components. | Self-managed edition | Documents, component graph, model connections and queries → Pipeline results, retrieval answers and configured agent actions | The Apache-2.0 framework does not include hosted inference or managed enterprise services. You must build deployment, data permissions and operational monitoring. |
| LlamaIndex FrameworkRead profileOfficial source ↗ | Install Python core and selected integrations; configure parsing, embedding, vector storage and the LLM independently. LlamaParse service credits are separate. | Self-managed edition | Data connectors, documents, embeddings and questions → Indexes, retrieval responses and application/agent results | MIT framework availability does not include LlamaParse service credits. Model/provider charges and integration versions need separate review; the stated company focus shift affects long-term selection. |
Setup & workflow
- Install the documented package or Desktop app.
- Configure a model.
- Build a small retrieval flow.
- Inspect each step.
- Secure the endpoint before integration.
Requirements & installation
- Python / Desktop / Docker
Limits & review
- Running a local canvas does not make a connected cloud model local. Configure authentication before exposing its API; hosted model and database fees are separate.
Your part
- Trace a known question through each component before exposing the workflow to users.
Sources & verification6
This profile is based on official sources, not a hands-on product test.
Vendor descriptions and demos document advertised features. Editorial guidance is based on these sources.
- Langflow official READMEgithub.com
- Langflow software licencegithub.com
- Haystack official READMEgithub.com
- Haystack software licencegithub.com
- LlamaIndex Framework official READMEgithub.com
- LlamaIndex Framework software licencegithub.com
