Listen to this article
Dyad is a free, open-source AI app builder that runs locally on Windows and macOS, offering full control without vendor lock-in. It supports any major AI model through user-provided API keys and includes full-stack capabilities via Supabase integration. Created by former Google engineer Will Chen, Dyad prioritizes privacy, speed, and developer ownership.
You Don’t Need to Be a Coder to Build With AI Anymore
Dyad is a free, open-source tool that lets users build full-stack AI applications through a simple chat interface. No programming knowledge is required to get started. Once the app is downloaded and opened, users can input text-based instructions into Dyad’s chat. The AI responds by generating code, which can then be reviewed and approved by the user. Once approved, the app runs locally with a live preview.
The software is available for both Windows and macOS, with support for Apple Silicon and Intel architectures. Linux support is under development. There’s no required sign-up or subscription to use it. Will Chen, who spent nearly nine years at Google, created Dyad to remove unnecessary friction from the development process and give users full ownership of their tools.
Chen built Dyad to be free forever, emphasizing that users are owners—not renters—of their development platforms. All code stays on the local machine, and Dyad can be used with any preferred code editor, including VS Code and Cursor.
Why Dyad Runs on Your Laptop — and Why That Matters
Dyad is designed to run entirely on the user’s device. This local-first model supports faster response times, greater data privacy, and a smoother workflow compared to cloud-based AI builders.
Users can run AI models locally using tools like Ollama if their machine is powerful enough. This eliminates reliance on cloud infrastructure and external servers. Dyad also prevents typical development issues caused by differences between online platforms and local environments.
App changes are visible immediately through real-time previews. Any step can be undone instantly, and the overall interface prioritizes speed and minimal delay during development.
Use OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, or Whatever You Want
Dyad allows the use of any AI model. Users can integrate their own API keys from top providers including OpenAI’s GPT-4.1, Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 3.7, Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro, and others.
There is no restriction to a single AI vendor. This makes Dyad distinct from other platforms that limit integration to a specific backend. Users can choose models based on availability, performance, or cost, including those available on OpenRouter.
Dyad is AI-agnostic by design. It supports experimentation across different providers and gives the user full control over their app’s logic and AI backend.
Build Full-Stack Apps Without Ever Leaving Dyad
Dyad includes integrated support for Supabase, enabling full-stack development capabilities. Users can implement authentication, manage a database, and define server functions—all within the Dyad interface.
This allows developers to go beyond UI design. Dyad can be used to build MVPs that include backend logic and data storage, hosted and run locally. There’s no need to switch between platforms or depend on external cloud services.
Dyad is capable of managing:
- User authentication
- Database operations
- Serverless functions
These tools are available immediately after setup, which requires Node.js and at least one API key for AI model access.
Recommended: Extend Secures $17 Million To Build The Next-Generation Document Processing Cloud
Why Developers and Tinkerers Swarm to Dyad
Dyad has gained attention across platforms like Reddit, Product Hunt, and X. Builders consistently cite speed, intuitive design, and full control as primary benefits.
Comments from users include praise for how easy it is to express ideas without extensive technical experience. Others appreciate that Dyad runs locally and avoids unnecessary network delays.
Notable community responses:
- “This is better than 95% of the other things I have tried, and I’ve tried them all going back 25 years.”
- “I fall into the category of a non-developer who likes to tinker with AI, and this project is amazing.”
- “It’s so much more user-friendly… your project is incredible!”
- “Hands down the most powerful tool I’ve ever used, and it’s still in its early days.”
Dyad also benefits from active development with weekly updates, many of which are based directly on user feedback. A community of over 700 builders contributes ideas and bug reports regularly.
How Dyad Compares to Lovable, v0, and Bolt
Dyad is often viewed as an alternative to platforms like Lovable, v0, and Bolt. These tools tend to rely on cloud-based environments and may limit user control, introduce paywalls, or restrict which AI services can be used.
In contrast, Dyad remains free to download and use with no required subscriptions. It does not store user data on remote servers. All generated code is kept locally and fully accessible.
Where other platforms often rely on proprietary ecosystems, Dyad supports integration with existing tools and models. Users can connect it to their favorite IDEs, libraries, and AI services without needing to rebuild their workflow.
What Makes Dyad Different — and Why It’s Worth Trying Now
Dyad runs entirely on user devices, supports multiple AI providers, and includes backend tools through Supabase. There are no subscriptions, usage limits, or vendor restrictions.
Built by Will Chen, Dyad reflects a focus on developer autonomy and transparency. Its open-source foundation allows anyone to inspect, extend, or contribute to the project.
The software’s development is guided by its community, with new updates released weekly. Users join not just for the tool itself, but for the chance to shape its future.
Dyad is designed for builders who want to work without compromise.
Please email us your feedback and news tips at hello(at)dailycompanynews.com
