Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Bolt.new · 🛠️ dev tools
Bolt.new vs Dyad
Bolt on your laptop, minus the hosting fairy. Here is how Dyad ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Bolt.new ($25/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Bolt.new vs Dyad Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Bolt.new (Paid) | Dyad (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $25 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $300 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $300) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $1,500 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,500) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $3,000 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $3,000) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source Apache-2.0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Local (on your machine) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | desktopone-click install |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 21k (active aug 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Bolt.new to Dyad
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
It has no managed browser sandbox, instant public hosting or one-click deployment comparable to Bolt, so you own the local environment and deployment.
How to deploy Dyad
Desktop installer
What it takes to run
A model-provider API key or a separately installed and configured local Ollama model
Where your data lives
Generated project source and app metadata stay on the computer; prompts and selected context go to the chosen provider unless a local model is used
Why fork Dyad instead of vibe-coding a Bolt.new clone?
A consolation build is possible, but the paid product's decisive value sits outside a solo rebuild. For Bolt.new, generate and edit a small web project in a local sandbox from structured prompts. The hard boundary is browser sandbox, model orchestration, package execution, deployment, and hosted compute, plus frontier models, context infrastructure, and execution safety.
Bolt.new vs Dyad FAQ
Is Dyad a good free alternative to Bolt.new?+
Yes. Dyad is a verified open-source (Apache-2.0) replacement for Bolt.new. Bolt on your laptop, minus the hosting fairy.
What is the catch when switching from Bolt.new to Dyad?+
It has no managed browser sandbox, instant public hosting or one-click deployment comparable to Bolt, so you own the local environment and deployment.
How much do you save switching from Bolt.new to Dyad?+
Bolt.new costs $25/mo ($300/yr) per seat, whereas Dyad is $0/mo. Switching saves $300/yr for a solo user, $1,500/yr for a 5-person team, and $3,000/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Dyad instead of Bolt.new?+
Install: Desktop installer. Setup: A model-provider API key or a separately installed and configured local Ollama model
