LM Studio
lmstudio.ai
Desktop app for running local language models.
Quick Information
- Category:
- MLOps & Infrastructure
- Pricing:
- Free
- Platforms:
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Free Plan:
- Yes
- API Available:
- Yes
- Last Verified:
- October 2026
What Is LM Studio?
LM Studio is a desktop app for discovering, downloading and running language models locally. Sources say it is free for internal business use, and one notes that an earlier separate commercial licence was dropped following a July 2025 announcement. The terms bar redistribution, such as selling it or running it as a hosted service for third parties. The desktop app is proprietary, not open source, while the lms command-line tool and SDKs are MIT-licensed and the bundled llama.cpp runtime packs are not published. It also offers llmster, a headless daemon for running without a GUI, with the developer docs naming a GPU rig without a screen as a use case.
LM Link is the newer remote feature. One source says it left its waitlist in version 0.4.16 on June 8, 2026, while another from June describes it as free during a request-gated preview, with free and paid tiers planned at general availability and the free tier reportedly covering five devices. Setup is lms login then lms link enable. The latest version is unclear, as sources cite 0.4.20, 0.4.23, 0.4.25 and 0.4.26, and one notes the bundled llama.cpp can trail upstream builds. Pricing for LM Link's paid tier was not found, and I would not assume it stays free.
Because models run on your own hardware, you pay no per-token fees, only the cost of your machine and electricity. LM Studio suits non-engineers and developers who want a friendly GUI and a local OpenAI-compatible server. Compare llama.cpp, Unsloth and Hugging Face. Browse the MLOps & Infrastructure tools directory for more.
What Can You Use LM Studio For?
Private local chat with LLMs
On-device.
Local API server for apps
OpenAI-compatible.
LM Studio Features
- llmster headless daemon — No GUI.
- LM Link — Remote devices.
- MIT-licensed CLI and SDKs — lms.
Who Is LM Studio For?
- Privacy-minded users — Local models.
- Developers — Local server.
LM Studio Pros & Limitations
What We Like
- Friendly GUI
- Free for work use
- No per-token cost
Limitations
- App is closed source
- Version numbers unclear
- LM Link paid pricing unannounced
LM Studio Pricing
| Plan | Price | Main Features |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop app | Free for personal and internal business use | Proprietary; redistribution barred |
| LM Link | Free in preview; paid tiers planned (not priced) | Free tier reportedly five devices |
Pricing was last verified October 2026. Check the official website for the latest pricing.
AI Listing Jungle Ranking
- Global Rank:
- #842
- Overall Score:
- 50.1/100
- Monthly Users:
- –
- Rank Change:
- ▲ 727
This ranking reflects AI Listing Jungle's own independent scoring methodology and is not an endorsement by LM Studio or its company. How Our Rankings Work
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LM Studio free?
Yes, including internal business use.
Open source?
No; CLI and SDKs are MIT.
What is llmster?
A headless daemon.
What is LM Link?
Remote access to your models; free in preview.
Our Take
The easiest way to run local models.
Watch for LM Link pricing later.
LM Studio Alternatives
LM Studio Comparisons
Ready to try LM Studio?
Visit the official website to get started.
Visit Official WebsiteAI Listing Jungle is an independent AI tools directory. Product names, logos, and trademarks belong to their respective owners.