Alternatives / LM Studio
Looking for an open source LM Studio alternative? We compared 8 open source tools for running local LLMs by license, platforms, model support, APIs, and privacy. They range from inference engines and servers to desktop chat apps and a mobile client.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| Ollama | Running local models from the command line and API | MIT |
| llama.cpp | Flexible, quantized inference on any hardware | MIT |
| GPT4All | Simple private desktop chat | MIT |
| Cherry Studio | Many providers in one desktop client | AGPL-3.0 Community Edition |
| LocalAI | OpenAI-compatible self-hosted AI stack | MIT |
| Jan | Closest desktop alternative | Apache-2.0 |
| 5ire | MCP and knowledge bases on desktop | Modified Apache-2.0 (source available) |
| Fullmoon | Local models on Apple devices | MIT |
We looked for open-source tools that overlap with LM Studio's core: running large language models on your own hardware, with a chat interface or a local API. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, and platforms in its GitHub repository. LM Studio itself is a closed-source desktop application, so the list mixes desktop apps, inference engines, and servers, and we flag projects whose licenses add conditions or that appear inactive. See our methodology for the full criteria.
llama.cpp and Ollama run models and expose local APIs. LocalAI is a broader self-hosted server with an OpenAI-compatible API for LLMs, speech, and images. Jan, GPT4All, Cherry Studio, 5ire, and Fullmoon are chat clients. Jan and GPT4All run models themselves, while Cherry Studio and 5ire mainly connect to models and providers you configure, including local servers.
Jan is the closest desktop alternative, with local and cloud models and a chat-first interface. GPT4All is the simplest private desktop chat app, and Ollama is the common choice for running models with a command line and API that other tools can use. Under the hood, llama.cpp powers many of these experiences.
Ollama, llama.cpp, GPT4All, and LocalAI are MIT, Jan is Apache-2.0, and Fullmoon is MIT. Cherry Studio's Community Edition is AGPL-3.0, with a separate commercial license for those who need an exemption. 5ire uses a modified Apache-2.0 license with additional commercial conditions and is source available rather than standard open source.
GPT4All and Fullmoon have had no commits since May 2025, so check them against your needs. Ollama, llama.cpp, LocalAI, Jan, and Cherry Studio were updated within days of this update.
llama.cpp supports Apple Silicon, multiple GPUs, and many backends, and LocalAI can mix hardware. Fullmoon targets iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS, while the other desktop apps run on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Ollama offers optional paid cloud access for larger models.
LM Studio is a polished desktop app for downloading and running local models, but its application is proprietary freeware rather than open source. Open-source alternatives let you inspect and modify the code, build on a permissive license, run headless on a server, and integrate directly into your own tools.
| Alternative | Type | License | Platforms | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ollama | Model runner and API | MIT | macOS, Windows, Linux | Developers |
| llama.cpp | Inference engine | MIT | Cross-platform | Hardware flexibility |
| GPT4All | Desktop chat app | MIT | Windows, macOS, Linux | Non-technical users |
| Cherry Studio | Desktop client | AGPL-3.0 (Community) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Multiple providers |
| LocalAI | Self-hosted AI server | MIT | Multi-platform | Teams and self-hosting |
| Jan | Desktop chat app | Apache-2.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux | Privacy-conscious users |
| 5ire | Desktop AI client | Modified Apache-2.0 | Cross-platform | MCP users |
| Fullmoon | Mobile chat app | MIT | iOS, iPadOS, macOS | Apple ecosystem |
Want the closest desktop alternative
Jan is an Apache-2.0 desktop app that runs open models locally or connects to cloud providers, keeping conversations off third-party servers.
Want to run models from a CLI and API
Ollama runs open models locally with an API other apps can use, plus optional cloud access for larger models.
Want maximum hardware flexibility
llama.cpp offers quantization, multi-GPU, Apple Silicon support, and an OpenAI-compatible HTTP server.
Want a simple private chat app
GPT4All runs on your hardware with LocalDocs for document chat, though its repository has been inactive since May 2025.
Want to self-host a full AI stack
LocalAI provides an OpenAI-compatible API with LLM, speech, and image workloads and many swappable backends.
Want many providers in one client
Cherry Studio connects 300+ models from 50+ providers with agents, a knowledge base, and MCP support.
Want local models on iPhone or Mac
Fullmoon runs private local models offline on Apple silicon with Shortcuts integration.