Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Dust · ✨ ai assistants
Dust vs Onyx
An open-source platform that connects to 40+ apps to provide intelligent search and AI assistance across all company information Here is how Onyx ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Dust ($15/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Onyx is a verified Open Source-licensed open-source replacement for Dust. Switching from Dust ($15/mo) saves $180/yr per solo seat, or $900/yr for a 5-person team. Deployment: Runs on Self-host.
The catch: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Dust.
Dust vs Onyx Specifications
facts verified 2026-11-07
| Dimension | Dust (Paid) | Onyx (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $15 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $180 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $180) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $900 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $900) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $1,800 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,800) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source Open Source |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hosteddocker to self-host |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 33.3k (active nov 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Dust to Onyx
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Dust.
How to deploy Onyx
Clone https://github.com/onyx-dot-app/onyx or deploy with Docker Compose
What it takes to run
Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
Where your data lives
All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
Why fork Onyx instead of vibe-coding a Dust clone?
Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Dust or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 6 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Dify.
Dust vs Onyx FAQ
Is Onyx a good free alternative to Dust?+
Yes. Onyx is a verified open-source (Open Source) replacement for Dust. An open-source platform that connects to 40+ apps to provide intelligent search and AI assistance across all company information
What is the catch when switching from Dust to Onyx?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Dust.
How much do you save switching from Dust to Onyx?+
Dust costs $15/mo ($180/yr) per seat, whereas Onyx is $0/mo. Switching saves $180/yr for a solo user, $900/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,800/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Onyx instead of Dust?+
Install: Clone https://github.com/onyx-dot-app/onyx or deploy with Docker Compose. Setup: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
