LibreChat (41,704 Stars) 2026: The Open-Source ChatGPT Interface with Multi-Model Support and RAG

LibreChat (41,704 stars) is the open-source ChatGPT alternative with multi-provider support, RAG, and a familiar UI. Here is the complete deployment guide.

💡 What You Will Learn

LibreChat (41,704 stars) is the open-source ChatGPT alternative with multi-provider support, RAG, and a familiar UI. Here is the complete deployment guide.

## The short answer **danny-avila/LibreChat** (41,704 stars, TypeScript) is an open-source ChatGPT interface you can self-host. It supports OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and any OpenAI-compatible endpoint, with features like conversation history, RAG (file Q&A), agents, and a plugin system - all behind a familiar chat UI. ## Standout features - **Multi-provider**: switch between models mid-conversation - **RAG support**: upload files and ask questions about them - **Agents & tools**: build assistant personas with tool use - **Full API**: use it as a backend for your own apps - **Presets**: save and share prompt configurations ## Deploy with Docker ```bash git clone https://github.com/danny-avila/LibreChat.git cd LibreChat cp .env.example .env # add your API keys # optional: use the sample docker-compose for RAG support cp docker-compose.override.yml.example docker-compose.override.yml docker compose up -d # Open http://localhost:3080 ``` ## Using it day to day - Create multiple endpoints in settings - e.g. OpenAI + local Ollama. - Upload a PDF in a conversation to activate file Q&A (RAG). - Build agents with custom system prompts for repeated tasks. ## Practical tips - Set `ALLOW_REGISTRATION=false` for a private instance. - Backup the MongoDB volume - it stores conversations and settings. - Use the API endpoints to integrate LibreChat with other tools. ## FAQ **Is it free?** Yes - MIT licensed open source. **Does it need MongoDB?** Yes - the default deployment uses MongoDB for storage. **Can it replace ChatGPT Plus?** For many users yes - same chat experience, your choice of models, and your data on your server.