Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Retell · ✨ ai assistants
Retell vs Dograh
Open-source voice agent platform that lets you plug in your own STT, LLM, and TTS models, deploy on-prem or in your VPC, and build agents via MCP or a visual workflow builder. Here is how Dograh ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Retell ($15/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Dograh is a verified Open Source-licensed open-source replacement for Retell. Switching from Retell ($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 Retell.
Retell vs Dograh Specifications
facts verified 2026-11-07
| Dimension | Retell (Paid) | Dograh (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 | — | ★ 6k (active nov 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Retell to Dograh
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Retell.
How to deploy Dograh
Clone https://github.com/dograh-hq/dograh 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 Dograh instead of vibe-coding a Retell clone?
Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Retell or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 2 battle-tested open-source alternatives like LiveKit.
Retell vs Dograh FAQ
Is Dograh a good free alternative to Retell?+
Yes. Dograh is a verified open-source (Open Source) replacement for Retell. Open-source voice agent platform that lets you plug in your own STT, LLM, and TTS models, deploy on-prem or in your VPC, and build agents via MCP or a visual workflow builder.
What is the catch when switching from Retell to Dograh?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Retell.
How much do you save switching from Retell to Dograh?+
Retell costs $15/mo ($180/yr) per seat, whereas Dograh 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 Dograh instead of Retell?+
Install: Clone https://github.com/dograh-hq/dograh or deploy with Docker Compose. Setup: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
