SwarmUI
A straightforward Generate tab over a much deeper local engine; private, flexible, and free.
Technical Profile & Specs
verified 2026-08-10
- Cost
- $0 / forever (Open Source)
- License
- MIT
- Hosting Model
- Self-host (your server)
- Platforms
- desktopwebself-hostedone-click install
- Installation
- Run the Windows installer script, the Linux launch script, or install .NET/Python/Homebrew prerequisites and run launch-macos.sh on macOS; Docker is optional
- Operational Setup
- The backend and models still have to be downloaded, and non-Windows installs require command-line prerequisites such as .NET, Python, and Git
- Where Your Data Lives
- Configuration, users, models, workflows, generated media, and history live in the local SwarmUI installation and configured model/output directories
- The Catch / Trade-off
- The Generate tab is straightforward after setup, but the local backend and models are substantially harder to provision than Dezgo's browser service.
Replaces 16 paid apps
up to $105/mo ($1,260/yr) in subscriptions
SwarmUI FAQ
Common questions
Is SwarmUI free and open source?+
SwarmUI is an open-source tool licensed under MIT that runs on self-host. A straightforward Generate tab over a much deeper local engine; private, flexible, and free.
What paid software does SwarmUI replace?+
SwarmUI serves as a free replacement for 16 paid SaaS applications: Dezgo, DreamStudio, Hailuo AI, Ideogram, ImagineArt, Kaiber, Kling AI, Leonardo AI, Luma Dream Machine, Mage.Space, Midjourney, Nsketch AI, Pika, Playground AI, Runway, Wireflow, saving up to $105/month ($1,260/year) in subscription bills.
How do you install and set up SwarmUI?+
Installation: Run the Windows installer script, the Linux launch script, or install .NET/Python/Homebrew prerequisites and run launch-macos.sh on macOS; Docker is optional. Setup notes: The backend and models still have to be downloaded, and non-Windows installs require command-line prerequisites such as .NET, Python, and Git
What is the catch or trade-off with SwarmUI?+
The Generate tab is straightforward after setup, but the local backend and models are substantially harder to provision than Dezgo's browser service.