[2025 List] Best LM Studio Alternatives for Local LLMs on Windows & Mac

One user recently said LM Studio is now "confusing and almost useless"—and that's not an uncommon view. If you've been struggling with it, you may already be considering a better LM Studio alternative.

In this article, I'll walk you through the top LM Studio alternatives in 2025. Some are open-source, some run on any OS, and a few let you skip all the technical stuff. Let's take a closer look and help you find the one that fits your workflow.

LM Studio is a desktop app that gives you a visual way to run local large language models (LLMs). It supports GGUF model files, offers a built-in chat window, and lets you download models from its built-in library. At first glance, it seems like a great choice—especially for beginners.

But as more users gain experience, the cracks start to show. Many people on Windows have reported crashes and update bugs. Mac users with Intel chips are often left out entirely. Even basic tasks like saving system prompts or switching models can feel clunky or broken.

That's why many are now searching for a better LM Studio alternative—something smoother, more compatible, or easier to set up. Some users want an open-source option, some want something lightweight that works in the browser, and others just want to avoid editing config files or waiting weeks for updates.

If you're asking the same questions, you're not alone. The rest of this guide is here to help you find the right fit.

So, what are the best tools to try if LM Studio no longer fits your needs?

Many users—especially beginners—have started looking for something that's easier to set up, more stable across platforms, or just works without extra configuration. Below is a comparison of the most recommended alternatives to LM Studio in 2025, based on key features like ease of use, GGUF support, and platform compatibility.

From this comparison, Nut Studio and Msty provide user-friendly interfaces and require no manual GGUF file management, making them suitable for beginners or users seeking simplicity.

Nut Studio

Run local LLMs on your Windows PC without any setup via Nut Studio now.

Free Download

Tools like Jan.ai, Anything LLM, and Ollama offer greater flexibility and open-source support but typically need more technical involvement.

Next, let's dive deeper into each of these five alternatives, starting with the most beginner-friendly option: Nut Studio.

1 [Most Recommended] Nut Studio — Easiest LM Studio Alternative for Beginners

Nut Studio is one of the easiest LM Studio alternatives for beginners who want to run local AI models quickly and smoothly. It offers a simple interface and supports over 50 local models, including 30 lightweight GGUF models that are fast and great for daily chats on your PC.

Besides chatting, Nut Studio lets you create smart AI agents with ready-made templates or your own custom settings. It also supports building your own knowledge base by uploading files like TXT, MD, DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, PDF, HTML, and more. This means you can teach your AI using your own documents.

Pros

• Easy-to-use interface with one-click access to 50+ local AI models
• Includes 30 lightweight, fast GGUF models perfect for local conversations
• Ready-made AI assistant templates plus customizable smart agents
• Build your own knowledge base by uploading common file types (PDF, DOCX, TXT, etc.)
• No need to manually download or configure model files

Cons

• Not yet available for Mac Intel users
• Not open source

Nut Studio

Download Nut Studio now and start chatting with powerful, lightweight models on your Windows PC—no setup needed!

Free Download

2 Msty — Lightweight LM Studio Alternative in Browser

If you want a lightweight LM Studio alternative that works smoothly in your browser or on your desktop, Msty is a solid choice. Originally a web app, Msty now also offers a downloadable desktop application for Windows, macOS and Linux, making it easier to use without relying solely on a browser.

Msty supports multiple AI models and allows you to run local LLMs with relatively simple setup. It's open source and regularly updated, with features like built-in web search and knowledge retrieval that enhance your AI experience. Msty can act as both a client and a server, so you can connect to your models remotely from different devices.

Pros

• Runs in browser or desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux
• Open source with active developer support
• Supports local model hosting and remote connections
• Features built-in web search and knowledge tools

Cons

• No support for model fine-tuning—you can tweak settings (temperature, context length), but can't train or adapt models
• Slightly steeper learning curve for beginners

3 Jan.ai

If you're using a Mac with an Intel chip and need a visual, local LLM runner, Jan.ai is one of the few LM Studio alternatives that supports your setup out of the box. It's an open-source, cross-platform tool with a simple interface and decent model compatibility.

Jan.ai supports running GGUF models and integrates Ollama as a backend. While it doesn't have as many built-in smart tools as others, it covers the basics well—chat, model switching, and prompt customization—making it a good middle-ground choice for users who want something visual but still flexible.

Pros

• Fully supports Mac Intel, Windows, and macOS with GUI
• Open-source and integrates well with Ollama backend
• Supports running GGUF models locally
• Lightweight and easy to install

Cons

• No built-in AI assistant templates or custom knowledge base tools
• Requires Ollama or other backends to fetch and run models
• Limited advanced features compared to Msty or Nut Studio

Note

Jan.ai works well if you're on Mac Intel and need something that just works. But if you're looking for richer tools like one-click smart agents, document uploads, and beginner-friendly setup, Nut Studio may be a better fit.

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4 Anything LLM — Developer-Friendly LM Studio Replacement

If you're looking for a more technical LM Studio alternative, Anything LLM might be your go-to tool. It's an open-source project designed for developers and advanced users who want full control over how their local LLMs run. With a mix of GUI and CLI, it supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Anything LLM provides flexible backend integration and document-based knowledge retrieval. You can connect it to Ollama, LM Studio, or run it as a standalone app. It's great for running RAG pipelines and customizing how models handle prompts and memory. However, it requires some setup and technical knowledge to get started.

Pros

• Open-source with strong support for developer workflows
• Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux
• Flexible backend integration with tools like Ollama and LM Studio
• Offers document-based RAG support with local file upload
• Suitable for building customized AI chat systems

Cons

• Setup process involves CLI steps and manual configuration
• Some features rely on external tools or third-party services
• No prebuilt AI agents or smart assistant templates for beginners

Nut Studio

Want to skip the setup and run local models in seconds? Download Nut Studio — no coding, no config, just one click.

Free Download

5 Ollama

Ollama is a powerful backend tool for running GGUF-format models locally. It works via command line and is highly flexible, making it a popular open-source alternative to LM Studio for developers and advanced users. It supports Windows, macOS (including Intel Macs), and Linux.

With Ollama, you can pull models directly from Hugging Face or use local files, and it works well with other frontends like Anything LLM, Jan.ai, and Msty. It's a great option if you want fine-grained control and don't mind using the terminal. However, it doesn't come with a built-in GUI or model browser. That means beginners might find it hard to use, and there's no one-click setup for new users.

Nut Studio

No GUI? Nut Studio lets you run local AI with one click—easy for beginners, no setup needed.

Free Download

Pros

• Fully open source and highly customizable
• Supports GGUF models and multi-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Can be used as a backend for various GUI tools
• Actively maintained with fast support for new models

Cons

• CLI-only interface—no visual dashboard
• Requires manual model commands and setup knowledge
• No smart assistant templates, knowledge base, or built-in GUI

1 What is the best LM Studio alternative for Mac Intel?

For Mac Intel users, Jan.ai is one of the best LM Studio alternatives that offers full support for Intel-based Macs with a simple GUI. It works well with local GGUF models and integrates with Ollama backend for smooth operation.

2 Is there an LM Studio open-source alternative?

Yes, several LM Studio alternatives are open source. Tools like Msty, Jan.ai, and Anything LLM are popular open-source projects that let you run local models with more control and flexibility than LM Studio.

3 Can I run local models without GGUF?

Most modern local LLM tools prefer GGUF models for better compatibility and speed. However, some tools like Nut Studio do not require you to manually download or manage GGUF files—they provide a built-in library of models ready to use, so you don’t have to worry about file formats.

4 Does Nut Studio support GGUF model files?

Nut Studio supports over 50 local models, including 30 lightweight GGUF models built into the app. But it does not currently allow importing your own external GGUF files. Instead, Nut Studio focuses on easy one-click access to pre-integrated open-source models.

If you need a top LM Studio alternative in 2025, Nut Studio is the easiest pick—perfect for beginners who want one-click local LLMs without any setup. It runs smoothly on Windows with many built-in models and no technical hassle. For more open-source control, Msty and Jan.ai work well, especially on Mac Intel. Developers seeking advanced features can try Anything LLM or Ollama. But if you want simplicity and fast results, Nut Studio stands out among apps like LM Studio.

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Article by

Aaron Smith

Aaron brings over a decade of experience in crafting SEO-optimized content for tech-focused audiences. At Nut Studio, he leads the blog’s content strategy and focuses on the evolving intersection of AI and content creation. His work dives deep into topics like large language models (LLMs) and AI deployment frameworks, turning complex innovations into clear, actionable guides that resonate with both beginners and experts.