llama.cpp
github.com
C++ library for running LLMs on consumer hardware.
Quick Information
- Category:
- MLOps & Infrastructure
- Pricing:
- Free
- Platforms:
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Free Plan:
- Yes
- API Available:
- Yes
- Last Verified:
- October 2026
What Is llama.cpp?
llama.cpp is a C++ library for running large language models on consumer hardware, and it underpins many local AI tools. The main 2026 news is organisational: on February 20, 2026 Georgi Gerganov's ggml.ai team announced it was joining Hugging Face, according to the announcement in the project's GitHub discussions. The team says the projects stay community-driven and that Georgi and his team will continue to dedicate 100% of their time to maintaining ggml and llama.cpp. One article says no commercial licensing changes were announced. None of the results I found mention a licence by name, and none gave a latest release number or date, so check the ggml-org/llama.cpp repository's LICENSE file and Releases page for those.
llama.cpp is free to use, and you pay only for hardware. It is the engine behind friendlier apps, for example LM Studio bundles llama.cpp runtime packs, which one source says can trail upstream builds. A 2026 comparison titled LM Studio vs Ollama vs llama.cpp frames llama.cpp as the lowest-level, most configurable option, which in practice means more command-line work and manual model handling. I only saw that article's headline and so can't vouch for its numbers. Models are typically obtained in GGUF format, which Axolotl can now export to according to its release notes.
llama.cpp suits developers and tinkerers who want maximum control and efficiency running open models on laptops, desktops and servers. Compare LM Studio, vLLM and Hugging Face. Browse the MLOps & Infrastructure tools directory for more.
What Can You Use llama.cpp For?
Local LLM inference
Consumer hardware.
Embedding in apps
C/C++ library.
llama.cpp Features
- Joined Hugging Face — February 20, 2026.
- GGUF models — Common format.
- Community-driven — Stated by the team.
Who Is llama.cpp For?
- Developers — Control.
- Local-AI enthusiasts — Runs on laptops.
llama.cpp Pros & Limitations
What We Like
- Free
- Highly efficient
- Backed by Hugging Face
Limitations
- Command-line oriented
- Licence and latest release not confirmed here
- Manual setup
llama.cpp Pricing
| Plan | Price | Main Features |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | Free (licence not confirmed here) | You pay for hardware |
Pricing was last verified October 2026. Check the official website for the latest pricing.
AI Listing Jungle Ranking
- Global Rank:
- #295
- Overall Score:
- 71.7/100
- Monthly Users:
- –
- Rank Change:
- ▲ 1284
This ranking reflects AI Listing Jungle's own independent scoring methodology and is not an endorsement by llama.cpp or its company. How Our Rankings Work
Frequently Asked Questions
Is llama.cpp free?
Yes.
Who maintains it?
The ggml.ai team, now at Hugging Face.
Did the licence change?
None reported.
Where to find releases?
The ggml-org/llama.cpp GitHub repository.
Our Take
The foundation of local LLMs.
Ideal if you like the terminal.
llama.cpp Alternatives
llama.cpp Comparisons
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