AI Models & Platforms Freemium

LM Studio

Local AI desktop, server, and optional cloud-inference workspace

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PricingFreemium
Starting priceCloud credits
Free planYes
Free trialYes
APIYes
Open sourceNo
DeploymentHybrid
Last verifiedAugust 3, 2026
Overview

Tool overview

LM Studio is listed under AI Models & Platforms AI tools.

Summary

What is LM Studio?

LM Studio downloads, runs, chats with, and serves open-weight models on personal computers and servers. It includes desktop apps, a headless daemon, CLI, local REST APIs, OpenAI and Anthropic compatibility, MCP, voice transcription, and optional zero-retention cloud inference.

Best fit

Best for

Individuals and teams running open models locally

Audience

Who is it for?

DevelopersPrivacy-conscious usersResearchersEnterprise prototyping teams
Recommendation

Decision note

Rebuilt from the original export under the complete V412/V411 factual-source-verification workflow. Preview only. Apply remains blocked until Failures = 0, Warnings = 0, Unmapped = 0, Missing = 0; explicit clears are reviewed; image import is disabled; a representative WordPress edit screen is compared with the export and proposed row; and a post-Apply zero-change Preview succeeds.

Capabilities

Key features

Local model discovery, download, and chat

OpenAI-compatible, Anthropic-compatible, and native REST APIs

Headless llmster daemon, CLI, and SDKs

MCP host, RAG, voice transcription, and LM Link

Workflows

Use cases

Run private local AI assistants

Serve local models to developer tools

Use Claude Code or Codex with local models

Connect local models to iPhone and iPad

Strengths

Pros

  • Core local product is free, including workplace use
  • Offline operation for downloaded models
  • Windows, macOS, Linux, server, and mobile-link workflows
Considerations

Limitations

Model licenses vary independently from LM Studio.

Cloud inference and web-search features require connectivity and have separate limits.

Cost

Pricing details

Pricing modelFreemium
Starting priceCloud credits
Free planYes
Free trialYes
Pricing context

Billing options

Free local usePay-as-you-go cloud creditsFuture Bionic Pass
Pricing context

Pricing note

Local models, voice transcription, APIs, and workplace use are free. Optional LM Studio Cloud inference uses purchased credits; Bionic Pass pricing is not yet published.

View official pricing
Compatibility

Supported languages

  • English
Connectivity

Integrations

OpenAI-compatible API

Anthropic-compatible API

Claude Code

Codex

MCP

Python SDK

TypeScript SDK

LM Link

Specs

Technical details

PlatformsDesktop, iOS, API
Multilingual supportUnknown
Login requiredNo
Open sourceNo
DeploymentHybrid
CompanyLM Studio
Current version0.4.19 stable; 0.4.20 beta
Models / versionsllama.cpp runtime MLX runtime LM Studio Bionic
Editions / plansFree, Basic, Professional, Organization, and Custom plans
Data confidenceHigh
Last verifiedAugust 3, 2026
Documentation → Release notes → Data source →
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Answers

Frequently asked questions

LM Studio downloads, runs, chats with, and serves open-weight models on personal computers and servers. It includes desktop apps, a headless daemon, CLI, local REST APIs, OpenAI and Anthropic compatibility, MCP, voice transcription, and optional zero-retention cloud inference.
Individuals and teams running open models locally
The listed pricing model for LM Studio is Freemium. Pricing can change, so users should verify the latest plan details on the official website.
Yes. The current profile indicates that a free trial is available.
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