Does Haystack or LlamaIndex have a free plan?

Haystack is available for free. LlamaIndex is a paid tool. Always verify current pricing directly with the vendor.

Haystack vs LlamaIndex

Q: Can I use Haystack and LlamaIndex together?

Yes, many teams use both tools together for different purposes. Use the Stack Builder section above to combine Haystack and LlamaIndex with other tools and save your AI toolkit.

Comprehensive side-by-side comparison — features, pricing, performance, and more.

Updated May 2026

Haystack

deepset GmbH

Open-source AI framework for production-ready agents, RAG, and context engineering.

0.0(0)

FREEMIUM

88% data quality

LlamaIndex

LlamaIndex Inc.

Core building blocks for AI agents and document automation

0.0(0)

OPEN_SOURCE

91% data quality

Trust & Reliability

Haystack

Users:10K-100K

Customers (per vendor):AWS, Comcast, Zeit Online +5

HIPAA

LlamaIndex

Too Close to Call

Haystack (7.5) vs LlamaIndex (7.5) — difference of 0.0 points

AI Comparison Summary

Haystack

7.5

avg score

LlamaIndex

7.5

avg score

Both tools score very similarly overall — the best choice depends on your specific priorities.

Based on 6 dimensions

How scores are calculated

Too close to call — it's a tie

Haystack

Best For

Building production-ready AI agents

Developing advanced RAG pipelines

Creating multimodal AI applications

Orchestrating complex LLM workflows

Not Ideal For

Non-technical users seeking a no-code AI solution

Simple, single-model AI tasks without complex orchestration needs

Users who prefer a fully managed, proprietary platform without code involvement

LlamaIndex

Best For

Building LLM-powered agents for custom data sources

Automating complex document processing and extraction

Developing Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) applications

Orchestrating multi-step AI workflows for enterprise automation

Not Ideal For

Non-technical users seeking a no-code agent builder

Simple, single-step automation tasks without complex data interaction

Users who prefer a fully managed, proprietary AI agent solution without customization

* Verdict is based on our algorithmic scoring of publicly available data. Learn about our methodology

Haystack is best for

✍️Writing & Content8.0💬Chat & Conversation8.0🤖Automation & Agents7.0

LlamaIndex is best for

🤖Automation & Agents6.7

Filter by your use case:

Pros & Cons

Haystack

Pros

Open-source with a strong community
Highly modular and flexible architecture
Extensive integrations with models and databases
Supports complex agentic workflows with full control
Designed for rapid prototyping to production deployment

Cons

Text-to-SQL capabilities are still evolving and require careful evaluation
Retrieval augmentation performance can be challenging with unbalanced datasets
Fine-tuning open-source models requires suitable, domain-specific datasets for optimal performance

LlamaIndex

Pros

Provides a comprehensive framework for building sophisticated AI agents
Offers best-in-class document parsing and extraction capabilities with LlamaParse
Highly configurable and scalable for enterprise-grade performance
Supports a wide array of LLMs, embeddings, and vector stores via connectors
Features an event-driven, async-first workflow engine for flexible orchestration
Backed by a large and active open-source developer community

Cons

Requires coding knowledge (Python/Typescript) for full utilization
LlamaParse, the commercial document processing platform, is not open source
Steep learning curve for beginners due to extensive customization options
Building complex agentic workflows may require significant development effort

Weighted Score — Adjust What Matters to You

Pick a profile or drag sliders — scores and radar update instantly on the right.

Quick profiles:

Ease of Use5

Output Quality5

Value for Money5

Customizability5

Support & Ecosystem5

Integration Power5

Dimension Comparison

Haystack

7.5

/ 10

LlamaIndex

7.5

/ 10

Dimension Breakdown

Ease of Use

How easy it is to get started and use daily

Haystack

6.0

LlamaIndex

6.0

Output Quality

Quality and accuracy of generated results

Haystack

7.0

LlamaIndex

8.0▲ +1.0

Value for Money

Cost vs. features and output quality

Haystack

8.0▲ +1.0

LlamaIndex

7.0

Customizability

Calculated

Ability to tailor to specific needs

Haystack

8.0

LlamaIndex

8.0

Support & Ecosystem

Documentation, community, and support quality

Haystack

8.0

LlamaIndex

8.0

Integration Power

Calculated

Ability to connect with other tools and workflows

Haystack

8.0

LlamaIndex

8.0

Calculated = derived from verified integration count and API/open-source signals. AI = LLM-assessed from public website content. Methodology

Data is sourced from public information and vendor websites. It may not always be up-to-date — verify pricing and features directly with the vendor before purchasing.Report inaccuracy

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Haystack or LlamaIndex?

Both are strong options. Haystack has a rating of 0.0/5 (0 reviews), while LlamaIndex has a rating of 0.0/5 (0 reviews). The best choice depends on your specific use case, budget, and workflow requirements.

Is Haystack cheaper than LlamaIndex?

Haystack starts at free (freemium model). LlamaIndex starts at free (open_source model). Use the Cost Calculator above for a detailed estimate.

What are the main differences between Haystack and LlamaIndex?

Haystack — "Open-source AI framework for production-ready agents, RAG, and context engineering.". LlamaIndex — "Core building blocks for AI agents and document automation". Key differences include their pricing models, platform support, integrations, and technical capabilities. See the Feature Comparison table above for a complete side-by-side breakdown.

Can I use Haystack and LlamaIndex together?

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