LM Studio

by Element Labs · AI apps

FreeWindowsMacLinux

Desktop app to discover, download and chat with local AI models.

Official download from lmstudio.ai (opens in a new tab)

Opens lmstudio.ai, Element Labs's own site. No mirror, no bundle.

Overview

What is LM Studio?

LM Studio gives local language models a friendly chat interface with a built-in model browser and an OpenAI-compatible local server. Free for home and work use under its terms.

Key features

  • Model browser for open models
  • Chat interface
  • OpenAI-compatible local server
  • Runs offline

Best for

  • Trying local AI without the command line
  • Private document chat
  • Developers testing models

Included in starter kits

Install

How to install LM Studio

  1. 1Open the official LM Studio download page on lmstudio.ai.
  2. 2Pick the build for your system (Windows, Mac, Linux; check x64, ARM or Apple silicon where offered).
  3. 3Run the installer and read each screen; decline anything you did not ask for.
  4. 4Keep it updated from the app's own updater or your package manager.

Install from the command line

  • Windows · winget

    winget install --id ElementLabs.LMStudio -e --source winget

  • Mac · Homebrew

    brew install --cask lm-studio

Package IDs checked against the public winget, Homebrew and Flathub repositories on 1 Nov 2026. Build a script for several apps.

Safety

Download LM Studio safely

  • Check the domain

    The real download lives on lmstudio.ai. Look-alike domains and search ads are the most common trap.

  • Skip mirrors

    Download portals can wrap installers in adware or old versions. You never need them for this app.

  • Verify if you can

    If the publisher lists a checksum, compare it with our in-browser checker before running the file.

  • Watch the installer

    Untick extras, browser changes or trials you did not ask for.

Open the checksum checker

Alternatives

LM Studio alternatives

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All ai

FAQ

LM Studio questions

Where can I download LM Studio safely?

Download LM Studio only from Element Labs's official site at lmstudio.ai. Avoid mirror and "download portal" sites, which can bundle extra software with the installer.

Is LM Studio free?

Yes. LM Studio is free to download and use, though it is not open source.

Does LM Studio work on Windows, Mac and Linux?

LM Studio is available for Windows, Mac, Linux. Check Element Labs's download page for exact system requirements and whether your processor (x64, ARM or Apple silicon) is supported.

Can I install LM Studio from the command line?

Yes, with winget on Windows (winget install --id ElementLabs.LMStudio -e); Homebrew on Mac (brew install --cask lm-studio). Package managers fetch the publisher's files and make updates easy.

What are good alternatives to LM Studio?

See the alternatives section on this page and the full ai apps list on AltFTool, which shows each app's licence and platforms side by side.