GPL-3.0freeRuns locallyImage & Design
ComfyUI: Open-Source Midjourney Alternative
GPL-3.0 node-graph engine for local diffusion image, video, audio, and 3D workflows.
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Stars
- 139,403 (2026-10-19)
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- First seen
- 2023-01-17
TL;DR. ComfyUI is GPL-3.0 node-graph engine for local diffusion image, video, audio, and 3D workflows. License: GPL-3.0 (verified). Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux. Price: free. Runs locally: yes. It is an alternative to Midjourney.
| Name | ComfyUI |
|---|---|
| Language | Python |
| License | GPL-3.0 |
| Pricing | free |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Runs locally | Yes |
| Stats | 139,403 stars · 16,554 forks (as of 2026-10-19) |
| First seen | 2023-01-17 |
| Repository | https://github.com/Comfy-Org/ComfyUI |
ComfyUI is an open-source node-graph engine for diffusion and related media. Official hosts we opened on 2026-10-19: Comfy-Org/ComfyUI (GitHub still redirects the older comfyanonymous/ComfyUI name), comfy.org, and docs.comfy.org. It hangs off Midjourney alternatives. That mapping is editorial. We have no sourced quality comparison against Midjourney.
Key facts (2026-10-19)
| Field | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Stars / forks | 139,403 / 16,554 | GitHub API Comfy-Org/ComfyUI |
| Created | 2023-01-17T03:15:56Z | same |
| Last push | 2026-10-19T10:54:06Z | same |
| License | GPL-3.0 | LICENSE |
| Latest release | v0.42.1, 2026-10-19T01:33:54Z | GitHub Releases |
| Language | Python | GitHub |
README labels: visual node graph for image, video, audio, 3D, and text; local desktop / portable / manual install; paid Comfy Cloud; partner nodes for some closed APIs. Native model list on the README is long (Flux, Qwen Image, Wan, LTX, ACE-Step, …). Those names identify workflows, not a bake-off.
Hardware (upstream)
README: large open models on 4GB VRAM + 8GB RAM via async weight streaming. NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Apple Silicon, and Ascend are listed for manual install. Untested here.
Related
- Midjourney alternatives
- ComfyUI vs Midjourney
- Fooocus — Fooocus vs Midjourney
- Qwen-Image-2.1-Turbo, FLUX 3 Image Klein, MOSS-Image
- PhotoCraft vs GIMP if you wanted a pixel editor instead
Comparisons
FAQ
Is ComfyUI a free Midjourney alternative?
ComfyUI is GPL-3.0 software you run locally or on Comfy Cloud. It loads checkpoints you provide. It is not Midjourney’s model. See ComfyUI vs Midjourney. No quality ranking.
How much VRAM do I need?
The README (2026-10-19) says it can run large open models on as low as 4GB VRAM + 8GB RAM using async weight streaming. That is an upstream claim. We have not measured it.
Is there a desktop app?
comfy.org/download lists a desktop app for Windows and macOS, plus portable/manual install and a paid Comfy Cloud. Latest GitHub release in this check is v0.42.1 (2026-10-19).
What license is the UI versus the models?
The ComfyUI tree we opened is GPL-3.0. Checkpoints have their own cards (Apache-2.0, “other”, gated…). Not legal advice.
Sources & verification
- https://github.com/Comfy-Org/ComfyUI
- https://github.com/Comfy-Org/ComfyUI/blob/master/LICENSE
- https://www.comfy.org/
- https://docs.comfy.org/
- https://github.com/Comfy-Org/ComfyUI/releases/tag/v0.42.1
- https://media.comfy.org/website/comfy.webp
License notes are not legal advice. Read the original LICENSE. Trademark & disclaimer.