Who is it for?
- People who want the code on their own disk, a free tool and the freedom to choose or switch the AI model.
- Hobbyists and small teams who want a JavaScript web app and can set up their own GitHub, Vercel and database accounts.
Dyad — Build an App with AI
Dyad Tech, Inc.
Consider Dyad when you want an AI app builder that runs on your computer and keeps the project as a normal Git repository. It suits people who are comfortable installing Node.js and bringing their own model key.
Why it fits
| Good to know | Desktop |
|---|---|
| Free output | Yes |
| No account needed | Yes |
| No watermark | — |
| Works offline | — |
| Batch processing | — |
| Content language | — |
— Unverified conditions. Official documentation reviewed. The app itself has not been hands-on tested. Matches only documented content-language support, not interface language.
Sources and review date13
- www.dyad.sh/
- www.dyad.sh/download
- www.dyad.sh/pro
- www.dyad.sh/docs/faq
- www.dyad.sh/docs/getting-started/quickstart
- www.dyad.sh/docs/guides/ai-models
- www.dyad.sh/docs/getting-started/publishing-your-app
- www.dyad.sh/docs/guides/mobile-app
- www.dyad.sh/docs/guides/security-review
- www.dyad.sh/docs/policies/privacy-policy
- www.dyad.sh/docs/policies/terms
- github.com/dyad-sh/dyad/blob/main/LICENSE
- github.com/dyad-sh/dyad
Founder feedback and correction
Editorial selection guide
Last checked:
Getting started
- Download the stable build for macOS or Windows from the official download page, install Node.js and add an AI access method: your own API key (the quickstart suggests a Gemini key with a free tier) or a local model.
- Ask for one small app (a form behind a sign-in and a list of records), approve the generated code and watch the preview in the side panel; the first preview installs npm packages, so allow time and a connection.
- Connect GitHub from the app details card, sync, and import the repository into Vercel (or another host) to publish; the docs note that the published app is visible to everyone, so keep sensitive content out unless you add authentication.
Decision points
- Dyad is a desktop tool, not a hosted builder: your code and project live on your computer as a regular Git repository, and publishing goes through your own GitHub and Vercel accounts. Prefer a browser-only builder if you do not want to install anything.
- The output is a JavaScript-based web app. The hybrid mobile upgrade (Capacitor) is experimental and needs Android Studio or Xcode; native Swift or Kotlin apps and other languages are not supported. For a database and sign-in, plan on a Supabase or Neon account.
Limits
- Setup is more technical than in browser builders: you need Node.js, a model key or a local model, and separate GitHub, Vercel and database accounts. Local models need a capable machine, and the FAQ warns that small local models can give poor output. Free tiers of model providers may carry data-use conditions, so read the provider's terms.
- The built-in security review is experimental; Dyad's own page says it may not catch all issues and suggests using tools such as Snyk alongside it. OOXL did not scan or try any generated app. Check sign-in, data access and secrets yourself before you share a published link.
- Linux appears on the download page, but the FAQ describes Linux support as experimental, untested and without auto-updates. Plan limits and Pro credits change, so read the official Pro page; this entry states no prices or credit counts.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Dyad account?
The official homepage says the free plan needs no sign-up and runs on your own API key. You still need accounts for the AI provider you choose, for GitHub and Vercel if you publish that way, and for Supabase or Neon if you add a database. A paid Dyad plan needs sign-up.
Where do my prompts and code go?
The privacy policy says that with the free desktop version and your own API keys, prompts and code go directly to the model provider; with Dyad Pro they pass through Dyad's servers to the model providers and may be logged temporarily in limited cases. Read the policy before you use it with private code.
Is Dyad fully open source?
The repository says all code outside the src/pro folder is open source under Apache 2.0, while code inside src/pro is fair-source under the Functional Source License 1.1. Read the licenses before you fork or redistribute.
Official sources (12)
www.dyad.sh/www.dyad.sh/downloadwww.dyad.sh/prowww.dyad.sh/docs/faqwww.dyad.sh/docs/getting-started/quickstartwww.dyad.sh/docs/getting-started/publishing-your-appwww.dyad.sh/docs/guides/ai-modelswww.dyad.sh/docs/guides/mobile-appwww.dyad.sh/docs/guides/security-reviewwww.dyad.sh/docs/policies/privacy-policywww.dyad.sh/docs/policies/termsgithub.com/dyad-sh/dyad