A writer chatting with a model offline
- Install LM Studio
- Download a model from the in-app catalogue
- Chat with no internet connection
free plan works
LM Studio (Element Labs) · Desktop app
LM Studio
Desktop app for downloading and running open models locally, with a local API server and an agent called Bionic.
- Provider
- LM Studio (Element Labs)
- Latest confirmed model
- Not applicable / not verified
- Pricing
- Free plan + paid
- Free plan
- Yes
- API
- Yes
- Status
- Generally available
- Last verified
- Oct 19, 2026
What is LM Studio?
LM Studio is a desktop application for macOS, Windows and Linux that lets you find, download and chat with open models on your own computer using llama.cpp and MLX engines. It can serve models through OpenAI-compatible endpoints, connect MCP servers, and chat with documents offline. Its newer Bionic agent adds coding, document and automation workflows, with optional paid cloud models.
Running local AI models without command-line setup, and keeping data on your own device.
Why use LM Studio?
Practical benefits
- Graphical app for local models
- Free for home and work use
- OpenAI-compatible local server
- Offline document chat (RAG)
Who it suits
- Non-specialists wanting local AI
- Developers testing local models
- Companies wanting on-device AI
When another tool may fit better
- Users who need open-source app code (the GUI is not open source)
- Machines with limited memory
- Teams needing frontier proprietary models
- Learning curve
- Beginner-friendly
- Skills needed
- Basic computer skills; API knowledge for the server features.
Example workflows
- Download a model in the app, start the local server, and connect an editor plugin to it
What can it do?
- Local model runtimeRuns models via llama.cpp and MLX on Apple Silicon Macs, x64/ARM64 Windows and x64 Linux.
- Local serverOpenAI-compatible endpoints locally or on your network; REST API in beta.
- MCP supportInstall MCP servers and use them with local models.
- SDKs and CLIlmstudio-python, lmstudio-js and the lms CLI (MIT licensed).
- llmsterHeadless version for servers and CI.
- Bionic agentAgent for documents, coding, automation and computer control, with offline voice transcription.
- LM Link LimitedUse local models remotely; free for up to 5 devices.
Good for
- Private local chat
- Testing open models before deployment
- Offline document Q&A
- Local backend for coding tools
Where it runs
Pricing and plans
Free plan + paid Free plan covers running local models, the Bionic agent and LM Link for up to 5 devices. Bionic+ is $20/month and Pro $100/month for hosted open models and higher limits. Team subscriptions are listed as coming soon.
| Plan | Price | Billing | Free trial / tier | Usage limits | Main inclusions | Model access | API access | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | per month | Free tier | Limited web search; LM Link up to 5 devices |
|
Local open models | Local server | — |
| Bionic+ | $20/mo | per month | — | — |
|
Hosted open models | — | — |
| Pro | $100/mo | per month | — | 5x Bionic+ usage limits |
|
Hosted open models | — | — |
| Enterprise | Contact provider | per month | — | — |
|
— | — | — |
API and developer access
- Official API
- Yes
- Documentation
- API docs (opens in a new tab)
- Authentication
- Local server; no key required by default
- Pricing model
- Free (local)
- Free API quota
- None documented — the free plan above (if any) is for the app, not the API
- Rate limits
- Not documented
- Context / input limits
- Not documented
- SDKs
- lmstudio-python, lmstudio-js
- Streaming
- Not documented
- Batch processing
- Not documented
- Structured output
- Not documented
- Tool / function calling
- Not documented
- Commercial use
- Free for home and work use per LM Studio
- Data retention & privacy
- See the provider privacy terms
A free LM Studio account is not the same thing as free API access. Unless a free API quota is listed above, API calls are billed separately.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
- Easy GUI for local models
- Free for work use
- Developer SDKs and headless mode
Disadvantages
- Desktop GUI is proprietary, not open source
- Local performance limited by hardware
- Team subscription plans not yet available
Privacy: Local models run on-device; LM Studio describes its cloud services as Zero Data Retention.
Real-world examples
A developer using a local model in code
- Start the local server in LM Studio
- Point the OpenAI SDK to the local endpoint
- Send requests from scripts
free plan works
A user needing a larger hosted open model
- Subscribe to Bionic+ ($20/month)
- Select a US-hosted model such as Kimi K3
- Use it inside the Bionic agent
needs paid plan
LM Studio alternatives
Ollama
Open-source tool for running open models on your own computer, with optional paid cloud models.
LM Studio vs OllamaHugging Face
Hub for sharing open models, datasets and demo apps, with paid compute for inference and hosting.
LM Studio vs Hugging FaceFrequently asked questions
Is LM Studio free?
Yes. The Free plan lets you run local models and the Bionic agent at no cost. Paid plans add hosted open models.
Can I use LM Studio at work?
LM Studio says the app is free for home and work use, and the earlier separate commercial licence requirement was removed. Enterprise features like SSO are sold separately.
Is LM Studio open source?
Not the desktop GUI. The lms CLI, Core SDK and MLX inference engine are MIT-licensed.
Which computers are supported?
Apple Silicon Macs, x64 and ARM64 Windows PCs, and x64 Linux PCs.
Can other apps use my local model?
Yes. LM Studio serves models on OpenAI-compatible endpoints locally or on your network.
What is Bionic?
LM Studio's agent for open models, covering document editing, coding, automations and computer control.