Alternatives · AI Assistants
LM Studio alternatives
LM Studio compared with 8 alternatives: Jan, Msty, AnythingLLM, Open WebUI, Cherry Studio and 3 more.
LM Studio has a free plan. Paid plans start at $20 per month (Bionic+, for cloud models). 7 of the 8 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
8 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| LM StudioThis tool | Free plan · from $20/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Jan | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Msty | Free plan · from $149/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| AnythingLLM | Free plan · from $50/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android |
| Open WebUI | Free plan | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Cherry Studio | Free plan | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Locally AI | Free | Free | macOS, iOS |
| PocketPal AI | Free plan · from $0.99 one-time | Yes | iOS, Android |
| Private LLM | From $4.99 one-time | No | macOS, iOS |
How each one differs from LM Studio
- Free
Jan
Open-source desktop app for running local and cloud AI models
- Jan is free. LM Studio starts at $20 per month (Bionic+, for cloud models).
- Jan is open source, according to its own site.
- Jan also covers AI search.
- LM Studio also covers AI agents.
Suits: Running open models offline on your own computer
- Free plan · from $149/yr
Msty
Private AI workspace for local and online models
- Msty starts at $149 per user / year (Aurum), or $349 one-time (Aurum Lifetime). LM Studio starts at $20 per month (Bionic+, for cloud models).
- Only Msty lists a web app.
- Msty can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Individuals who want local and hosted models in one desktop app
- Free plan · from $50/mo
AnythingLLM
Open-source AI app for documents, agents and local models
- AnythingLLM starts at $50 per month (Basic hosted cloud instance). LM Studio starts at $20 per month (Bionic+, for cloud models).
- Only AnythingLLM lists a web app.
- Only AnythingLLM lists an Android app.
- AnythingLLM is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- AnythingLLM also covers meeting notes.
Suits: Chatting with private documents without sending them to a cloud service
- Free plan
Open WebUI
Self-hosted chat interface for local and cloud AI models
- Only Open WebUI lists a web app.
- Open WebUI is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Open WebUI also covers AI search.
Suits: Teams that want a chat interface running on their own infrastructure
- Free plan
Cherry Studio
Open-source desktop AI client for 50+ model providers
- Only Cherry Studio lists iOS and Android apps.
- Cherry Studio is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: People who already hold API keys for several model providers
- Free
Locally AI
Free app that runs open AI models offline on iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Locally AI is free. LM Studio starts at $20 per month (Bionic+, for cloud models).
- Only Locally AI lists an iOS app.
- Only LM Studio lists Windows and Linux apps.
- LM Studio also covers AI agents.
Suits: Trying open models on an iPhone, iPad or Mac at no cost
- Free plan · from $0.99 one-time
PocketPal AI
Open-source app for running AI models offline on phones and tablets
- PocketPal AI starts at $0.99 per premium Pal, one-time (US App Store in-app purchase). LM Studio starts at $20 per month (Bionic+, for cloud models).
- Only PocketPal AI lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only LM Studio lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- PocketPal AI is open source, according to its own site.
- LM Studio also covers AI agents.
Suits: Running open models privately on an iPhone, iPad or Android phone
- From $4.99 one-time
Private LLM
Offline AI chat app for iPhone, iPad and Mac with a one-time price
- Private LLM starts at $4.99 one-time (US App Store). LM Studio starts at $20 per month (Bionic+, for cloud models).
- LM Studio has a free plan. Private LLM does not.
- Only Private LLM lists an iOS app.
- Only LM Studio lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Private LLM can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Apple users who want AI chat that never leaves the device
Limits worth knowing in LM Studio
- LM Studio itself is desktop only; on iPhone and iPad its models are reached through the separate Locally app. Intel-based Macs are not supported.
- Local models need capable hardware: the docs recommend 16GB of RAM or more, and on Windows at least 4GB of dedicated VRAM.
- The paid plans cover cloud models in LM Studio Bionic, a separate app; cloud use needs an LM Studio account with available credits.
- LM Link is in preview and free for now; LM Studio says free and paid LM Link plans will follow at general availability.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to LM Studio?
The alternatives to LM Studio in this directory are Jan, Msty, AnythingLLM, Open WebUI, Cherry Studio, Locally AI, PocketPal AI and Private LLM. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with LM Studio.
Is there a free alternative to LM Studio?
Yes. Jan and Locally AI are free to use. Msty, AnythingLLM, Open WebUI, Cherry Studio and PocketPal AI have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which LM Studio alternatives work on Android?
The LM Studio listing does not include an Android app. AnythingLLM, Cherry Studio and PocketPal AI list one.
Which LM Studio alternatives work on iOS?
The LM Studio listing does not include an iOS app. Cherry Studio, Locally AI, PocketPal AI and Private LLM list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to LM Studio?
Jan, AnythingLLM, Cherry Studio and PocketPal AI are described as open source on their own sites.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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