LM Studio
thecontinuitylayer.com/tools/local-ai-apps/lm-studioBeginners who want buttons, not a terminal
Desktop app · LM Studio
LM Studio is a desktop app for finding, downloading and chatting with open models on your own computer. It runs models through llama.cpp, and through Apple's MLX on Apple Silicon Macs, so the same app works on a Mac or a PC.
It is the gentlest way in: search for a model, click download, and chat. When you outgrow the chat window, it can serve the loaded model to other apps on your machine, and it has a command-line tool called lms. Its free plan runs local models; paid plans add LM Studio's own agent, Bionic, and hosted models. Hosted models run on LM Studio's servers, not yours.
Specs
| Price | Free to run local models; paid plans for its agent and hosted models |
|---|---|
| Runs | GGUF models through llama.cpp, and MLX models on Apple Silicon |
| Platforms | Apple Silicon Macs (macOS 14+), Windows x64 and ARM, Linux x64 and ARM64 |
| Memory | 16GB recommended; 8GB Macs work with small models |
| Difficulty | Easiest: no terminal |
| Engines | llama.cpp and MLX |
| Open source | No (the app's code is not published) |
| Price | Free for local models; Bionic+ $20/month, Pro $100/month |
Good for
- A first local model in minutes
- Mac users who want MLX speed
- Browsing and comparing models
Not for
- People who want only open-source software
- Running a shared server for a household or team
See also
- Ollama · Anyone who will build on a local model: apps, agents, chat front-ends
- Jan · People who want an open-source ChatGPT-style app that works offline
- Open WebUI · Households, teams and tinkerers who want their own ChatGPT in a browser
We last reviewed LM Studio on 6 November 2026. Prices and specs change; check lmstudio.ai before you buy or sign up. Figures we could not confirm on the vendor's own page read “not published” or “varies”.
Vendor source: https://lmstudio.ai/pricing