AUTOMATIC1111 vs 
Fooocus
AUTOMATIC1111 vs Fooocus compared for 2026 — features, license, ease of use, performance and which one to choose. The classic Stable Diffusion web UI vs Midjourney-like simplicity, zero tweaking.
Updated regularly · curated by OpenSourceAI.tech
AUTOMATIC1111 vs Fooocus at a glance
| Spec | AUTOMATIC1111 | Fooocus |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI image generation | AI image generation |
| Type | Web UI | Simplified UI |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Runs locally | Yes | Yes |
| Primary language | Python | Python |
| Ease of use | Intermediate | Beginner |
| Best for | users who want the biggest extension ecosystem | people who just want great images, no tweaking |
| GitHub stars | 164.3k | — |
Feature comparison
| Feature | AUTOMATIC1111 | Fooocus |
|---|---|---|
| Runs locally | ✓ | ✓ |
| Node workflows | ✗ | ✗ |
| Inpainting | ✓ | ✓ |
| LoRA support | ✓ | ✓ |
| ControlNet | ✓ | ✗ |
| API | ✓ | ✗ |
How AUTOMATIC1111 and Fooocus score
| Criterion | AUTOMATIC1111 | Fooocus |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity | 5.0 | n/a |
| Maintenance | 4.0 | n/a |
| Ease of use | 3.5 | 5.0 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| License freedom | 3.5 | 3.5 |
Scores are computed automatically from public signals — GitHub stars (popularity), recent commit activity (maintenance), license type (freedom), local-first design (privacy) and onboarding complexity (ease of use). Indicative, not a verdict.
What each one is
AUTOMATIC1111
AUTOMATIC1111 (stable-diffusion-webui) is the classic, feature-packed Gradio web UI for Stable Diffusion, with a huge extension ecosystem and an enormous community.
- Massive extension and tutorial ecosystem
- Familiar form-based UI, gentle learning curve
- Huge community with answers for everything
Fooocus
Fooocus is a streamlined image generator that hides the complexity of Stable Diffusion behind a Midjourney-like experience, optimizing quality with minimal settings.
- Midjourney-like simplicity, almost no settings
- Smart defaults that produce strong results
- Minimal setup, runs on modest GPUs
Key differences
AUTOMATIC1111 is web UI, while Fooocus is simplified UI. Their licenses differ (AGPL-3.0 vs GPL-3.0), which matters if you ship a commercial product. AUTOMATIC1111 leans more intermediate-friendly, whereas Fooocus is more suited to beginner users. In short, AUTOMATIC1111 fits users who want the biggest extension ecosystem, and Fooocus fits people who just want great images, no tweaking.
Which should you choose?
Choose AUTOMATIC1111 for users who want the biggest extension ecosystem. Choose Fooocus for people who just want great images, no tweaking.
There is rarely one winner — many setups use both. The right pick depends on your hardware, your team's skills, and whether you value simplicity or control.
Frequently asked questions
Is AUTOMATIC1111 or Fooocus easier to use?
Fooocus is generally the easier of the two to get started with, while AUTOMATIC1111 rewards more setup with more control.
Are AUTOMATIC1111 and Fooocus free?
AUTOMATIC1111 is free and open source (AGPL-3.0), and Fooocus is free and open source (GPL-3.0). Neither charges for the core software.
Can I run AUTOMATIC1111 and Fooocus locally?
AUTOMATIC1111: yes · Fooocus: yes. Both can be used without sending your data to a third-party cloud where their setup allows.
AUTOMATIC1111 vs Fooocus — which should I pick in 2026?
Choose AUTOMATIC1111 for users who want the biggest extension ecosystem. Choose Fooocus for people who just want great images, no tweaking.
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