Best ways to run LLMs locally
Run models on your own machine for privacy, offline work or zero per-token cost. Ollama and LM Studio are the runners; Qwen is an open-weight model family listed with a self-host option.
Ranked by score on our 100-point rubric (how we score). Scores are initial editorial estimates from public information, not hands-on tests. Pricing is labeled verified (checked on the vendor's official pricing page, with date) or unverified.
Quick picks
| # | Tool | Tier | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ollama Run open models locally | A | 84 |
| 2 | Qwen Alibaba's open-weight model family | A | 79 |
| 3 | LM Studio Desktop app for local LLMs | A | 75 |
The ranking
-
Simple CLI and app for downloading and running open LLMs locally with an API.
- Best for
- You want private local models with one command.
- Skip it if
- You lack a capable GPU/Apple silicon.
- Pricing
- Free (local + pay-as-you-go cloud); Pro $20/mo; Max $100/mo ✓ verified on the official pricing page, Oct 18, 2026
- Platforms
- Mac · Win · Linux · CLI · API
-
Wide range of open-weight LLMs, coder and vision models, plus an API via Alibaba Cloud.
- Best for
- You want strong open weights in many sizes.
- Skip it if
- You need a US-hosted vendor.
- Pricing
- Open weights free; API pay-per-token unverified editorial summary, not yet confirmed on an official pricing page
- Platforms
- API · Self-host
-
Desktop app for downloading and running local models with an OpenAI-compatible server; now also ships Bionic, an agent for documents, slides and code.
- Best for
- You want local models with a friendly GUI.
- Skip it if
- You need headless server deployments.
- Pricing
- Free to run local LLMs; optional Bionic+ cloud $20/mo; Pro $100/mo ✓ verified on the official pricing page, Oct 18, 2026
- Platforms
- Mac · Win · Linux
FAQ
What is the best AI tool for running LLMs locally?
Ollama ranks first with 84/100 (A-tier). Run open models locally. Use it when you want private local models with one command. Next in our ranking: Qwen (79/100, A-tier) and LM Studio (75/100, A-tier).
Which AI tools for running LLMs locally have a free tier?
In our pricing data, Ollama (verified), Qwen (unverified) and LM Studio (verified) list a free tier. "Unverified" means it is an editorial summary we have not yet confirmed on the vendor's official pricing page, so check the vendor before relying on it.
Are there open-source options for running LLMs locally?
Yes. Ollama and Qwen are listed as open source or open weights. Check each project's license before commercial use.
How are these tools ranked?
Each tool is scored out of 100 on our public rubric: job fit (30), ease (15), value (15), momentum (15), openness and portability (10), trust and maturity (10) and a builder/gamer bonus (5). S-tier is 85+, A-tier 70–84, B-tier 55–69 and C-tier below 55. Current scores are initial editorial estimates from public information, not hands-on tests, and sponsors can't buy points.