Dyad
A desktop AI app builder that runs on your machine with your own API keys, like Lovable, v0 or Bolt.
Desktop app for Mac, Windows and Linux. Bring your own model key and keep the project files on disk.
Dyad is a local desktop app that builds web apps from chat prompts, in the manner of Lovable or Bolt. It suits solo builders and non-coders who want to keep the code on their computer and pay the model provider directly.
What it is
You describe an app and Dyad generates and edits real code in a project folder on your disk. Its site lists connections to Supabase or Neon for database and auth, a security scan, deployment to GitHub and Vercel, MCP servers, and models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Ollama and LM Studio.
Who it's for
It suits makers, founders and developers who want a local alternative to cloud app builders and are happy to supply an API key. It does not suit people who want hosting, a database and deployment bundled behind one login.
Key features
Runs on your machine
Projects live as files on disk and no sign-up is needed for the free app.
Bring your own model
Use OpenAI, Anthropic, Ollama, LM Studio and others, including offline local models.
Real exported code
Import existing repositories and edit them in VS Code; the code is yours.
Database and auth
Connects to Supabase or Neon for a full-stack backend.
Built-in security scan
Checks for problems such as SQL injection and misconfigurations.
One-click deploys
Push to GitHub and Vercel, or your own cloud.
Up and running in 3 steps
Our honest verdict
What's great
- Project files stay on your disk, so you can open them in your own editor at any time.
- No sign-up for the free app; you pay your model provider's rates instead of an app-builder subscription.
- Can run against local models through Ollama or LM Studio for offline work.
- Windows, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Linux installers are offered.
Where it falls short
- You must supply and pay for your own AI API key; the free tier does not include model credits.
- Database, auth and hosting need separate accounts (Supabase or Neon, GitHub, Vercel), so setup is spread across services.
- Pro modes for large codebases and monthly AI credits sit in the paid plans, and the src/pro folder is under a fair-source licence, not Apache-2.0.
- Quality depends on the model you connect; a small local model will build less than a frontier model.
Pricing & license
The app is free under Apache-2.0 (outside src/pro) with your own API key. Dyad's site lists Dyad Pro at $20/month (200 AI credits, Pro modes for large codebases) and Dyad Max at $79/month (900 AI credits) (https://www.dyad.sh/).
Open remote AI-training roles
768 open remote AI-training roles, updated November 14, 2026; most pay $20–$175 an hour. Zekai lists them free; the application goes to the employer’s platform.
Alternatives
These reviewed AI tools do the same job instantly — from our scored directory.
Use it, or have us set it up
FAQ
Is Dyad really free?
The app is free with your own API key and no sign-up. Paid plans add Pro modes and AI credits; the site shows Pro at $20/month and Max at $79/month.
What licence is it under?
Code outside src/pro is Apache-2.0. Code inside src/pro is under the Functional Source License 1.1 (Apache-2.0 future licence), which is fair-source rather than open source.
Does it need internet?
Not for editing local files, and it can use local models via Ollama or LM Studio. Deploys and hosted model APIs need a connection.
