Comparison
raft vs llama_index
Verdict
Pick raft if rAFT is a collection of CUDA-accelerated algorithms for high-performance machine learning and information retrieval applications; pick llama_index if llamaIndex is an open-source framework for building AI-powered document processing applications, including RAG and agent applications, with a focus on document parsing and extraction. It offers over 300 integration packs.
Markdown twin · raft alternatives · llama_index alternatives
GraphCanon updated Sep 30, 2026
7views this month
Trust & integrity
| Signal | raft | llama_index |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Very active (1d since push) As of Sep 20, 2026 · github_public_v1 | Very active (0d since push) As of Sep 18, 2026 · github_public_v1 |
| Provenance | Not a fork · Organization account As of Sep 20, 2026 · github_public_v1 | Not a fork · Organization account As of Sep 18, 2026 · github_public_v1 |
| OSV dependency advisories | No lockfile (source not queried) As of Jul 11, 2026 · osv@v1 | No lockfile (source not queried) As of Sep 18, 2026 · osv@v1 |
| deps.dev advisories | Not queried deps.dev@v1 | Not queried deps.dev@v1 |
| OpenSSF Scorecard | Not queried openssf-scorecard@v1 | Not queried openssf-scorecard@v1 |
Tagline
- raft
- A collection of CUDA-accelerated algorithms for building high-performance machine learning and information retrieval applications.
- llama_index
- Document processing platform for AI
Stars
- raft
- 1.0k
- llama_index
- 52k
Forks
- raft
- 251
- llama_index
- 8.2k
Open issues
- raft
- 439
- llama_index
- 802
Language
- raft
- Cuda
- llama_index
- Python
Adopt for
- raft
- RAFT is a collection of CUDA-accelerated algorithms for high-performance machine learning and information retrieval applications.
- llama_index
- LlamaIndex is an open-source framework for building AI-powered document processing applications, including RAG and agent applications, with a focus on document parsing and extraction. It offers over 300 integration packs
Persona
- raft
- -
- llama_index
- -
Runtime
- raft
- -
- llama_index
- -
License
- raft
- Apache-2.0
- llama_index
- MIT
Last pushed
- raft
- Sep 18, 2026
- llama_index
- Sep 18, 2026
Categories
- raft
- Data & Retrieval, Model Training
- llama_index
- AI Agents, Data & Retrieval, Developer Tools, Model Training
Trust and health
Days since push
- raft
- 1d
- llama_index
- 0d
Open issues (now)
- raft
- 439
- llama_index
- 802
Stars delta
- raft
- +11 (30d)
- llama_index
- +765 (30d)
Open issues delta
- raft
- -5 (30d)
- llama_index
- +187 (30d)
Full report
- raft
- Trust report
- llama_index
- Trust report
Shared compatibility
- Python · raft: Python runtime · llama_index: Python runtime
Choose raft if…
- raft is primarily Cuda; llama_index is Python.
- License: raft is Apache-2.0, llama_index is MIT.
- Requirements: Ensure access to NVIDIA GPUs; Compatibility with CUDA is essential for utilizing the RAFT algorithms effectively.; The user must have familiarity or develop understanding of CUDA programming to optimize their application integration with RAFT..
- Tags unique to raft: anns, building-blocks, clustering, cuda.
- - You are developing on an NVIDIA GPU architecture and require optimized, CUDA-accelerated primitives.
When NOT to use raft
- - Your application does not have access to NVIDIA GPUs, as RAFT's algorithms leverage CUDA specifically for performance gains.
- - If your workload requires more generalized machine learning libraries without a dependency on GPU-accelerated primitives and you are working in a multi-platform or cross-vendor environment.
Choose llama_index if…
- llama_index is primarily Python; raft is Cuda.
- License: llama_index is MIT, raft is Apache-2.0.
- Tags unique to llama_index: agents, application, data, fine-tuning.
- Also covers AI Agents, Developer Tools.
- When you need a framework that focuses on document parsing and extraction, as LlamaIndex has evolved to prioritize these capabilities
When NOT to use llama_index
- If your project requires enterprise-level features such as agentic OCR, as LlamaIndex's primary focus has shifted towards LlamaParse, an enterprise platform
- When you need a tool that is actively developed and maintained as the primary focus of the company has shifted towards LlamaParse and LiteParse, and the OSS framework is now a secondary focus
Explore
Sources
Every stat on this page traces to a dated GitHub sync, license file, enrichment field, or trust scan.
- GitHub stars (NVIDIA/raft) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- GitHub forks (NVIDIA/raft) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Last push (NVIDIA/raft) · observed Sep 18, 2026
- License file (Apache-2.0) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 12, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- GitHub stars (run-llama/llama_index) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- GitHub forks (run-llama/llama_index) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Last push (run-llama/llama_index) · observed Sep 18, 2026
- License file (MIT) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Sep 18, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Sep 18, 2026
GitHub stars on cards: raft 1.0k · llama_index 52k (synced Sep 20, 2026).
Common questions
- What is the difference between raft and llama_index?
- raft: A collection of CUDA-accelerated algorithms for building high-performance machine learning and information retrieval applications.. llama_index: Document processing platform for AI. See the comparison table for live GitHub stats and shared categories.
- When should I choose raft over llama_index?
- Choose raft over llama_index when raft is primarily Cuda; llama_index is Python; License: raft is Apache-2.0, llama_index is MIT; Requirements: Ensure access to NVIDIA GPUs; Compatibility with CUDA is essential for utilizing the RAFT algorithms effectively.; The user must have familiarity or develop understanding of CUDA programming to optimize their application integration with RAFT.; Tags unique to raft: anns, building-blocks, clustering, cuda; - You are developing on an NVIDIA GPU architecture and require optimized, CUDA-accelerated primitives.
- When should I choose llama_index over raft?
- Choose llama_index over raft when llama_index is primarily Python; raft is Cuda; License: llama_index is MIT, raft is Apache-2.0; Tags unique to llama_index: agents, application, data, fine-tuning; Also covers AI Agents, Developer Tools; When you need a framework that focuses on document parsing and extraction, as LlamaIndex has evolved to prioritize these capabilities.
- When should I avoid raft?
- - Your application does not have access to NVIDIA GPUs, as RAFT's algorithms leverage CUDA specifically for performance gains. - If your workload requires more generalized machine learning libraries without a dependency on GPU-accelerated primitives and you are working in a multi-platform or cross-vendor environment.
- When should I avoid llama_index?
- If your project requires enterprise-level features such as agentic OCR, as LlamaIndex's primary focus has shifted towards LlamaParse, an enterprise platform When you need a tool that is actively developed and maintained as the primary focus of the company has shifted towards LlamaParse and LiteParse, and the OSS framework is now a secondary focus
- Is raft or llama_index more popular on GitHub?
- llama_index has more GitHub stars (52,207 vs 1,042). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints.
- Are raft and llama_index open source?
- Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub (raft: Apache-2.0, llama_index: MIT).
- Where can I find alternatives to raft or llama_index?
- GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at raft alternatives and llama_index alternatives (raft markdown twin, llama_index markdown twin), ranked by typed relationship edges rather than popularity votes.
- Is there a machine-readable version of this comparison?
- Yes. The markdown twin at this comparison mirrors this page for agents and LLM crawlers, with the same stats table and FAQ answers.
- Which is better maintained, raft or llama_index?
- raft: Very active. llama_index: Very active. Compare maintenance labels, days since push, and release cadence in the trust section below - stars alone do not measure maintenance.
- Where are the full trust reports for raft and llama_index?
- GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: raft trust report; llama_index trust report.