Chat with a local model
A classic chat window, but the AI runs on your computer. Your messages and history stay on your drive.
AI tools · On your computer
LM Studio pricing, use cases, and first steps
LM Studio is a free desktop app. It downloads an AI model to your machine, then you chat with it in a window, as you would with ChatGPT, but without the internet. Since July 2026, the vendor also offers “Bionic,” a second app that takes on a complete piece of work on your documents.
LM Studio has a free plan. The recommended plan to start with: Free, $0. Prices checked on October 3, 2026 on the vendor’s official page.
LM StudioDownload an AI model and talk to it, with nothing leaving your PC- Vendor
- Element Labs, Inc. (United States)
- Free plan
- Yes
- Recommended plan
- Free, $0
- Page checked on
- October 3, 2026
What LM Studio does
Who it’s for: anyone who wants to try offline AI with a real app, with buttons and menus, and no commands to type.
Find and download models
A built-in catalog, powered by Hugging Face. You search by name and download in one click. You can install several and switch between them.
Query your documents
You attach a PDF, a Word file, or a text file to the conversation. If the document is short, the AI reads all of it. If it is long, LM Studio searches it for the passages relevant to your question.
Also
- Bionic: hand it a piece of work on files
- Dictate instead of typing
- Reach your models from your iPhone
- Bigger models, online
LM Studio pricing
Prices published in dollars. Subscriptions for teams are announced as “coming soon.”
| Plan | Price | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Free Recommended to start | $0 | Everyone, for use on their own computer |
| Bionic+ | $20 per month | People whose computer is too limited for a good local model |
| Pro | $100 per month | Heavy use of online models |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Organizations that want to deploy LM Studio |
What the free plan includes
LM Studio and Bionic are free with local models: chat, documents, offline dictation, a link between 5 devices, and limited web search. No account is required for local use. The terms of use allow personal use and internal business use.
Nova’s advice
Stay on the free plan. It covers all offline use, which is the reason to choose LM Studio. Take Bionic+ only if you’re set on that app and your computer can’t keep up: your text then goes through servers in the United States.
A first try, in 10 minutes
Your data. With a local model, your messages, history, and documents never leave your computer.
What it does less well
- A local model is still not as good as ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini: more errors, less nuance, especially on long requests.
- You need a capable machine. The vendor recommends 16 GB of memory. Intel-based Macs are not supported.
Ask a question with Wi-Fi turned offLM Studio- Open LM Studio and download a model from the “Discover” tab.
- In the “Chat” tab, load that model with ⌘ + L (Ctrl + L on Windows).
- Turn off your computer’s Wi-Fi.
- Paste a somewhat curt email you wrote, followed by the prompt below.
- Compare the two versions. The answer arrived without the internet: your text never left your machine.
The prompt to copy
Rewrite this email in English, with a warmer but still direct tone. Keep all the information. Give two versions: one short, one more detailed.
Jobs that use LM Studio
In the starter kit for one job.
Alternatives to LM Studio
Ollama
More stripped-down, very widely used, handy if you’re comfortable with a few commands.
Jan
Free and open, with a first model downloaded automatically.
Msty
To put local models and online models side by side.
Duck.ai
Privacy without installing anything: an online assistant with no account.
Claude
If confidentiality isn’t at stake, an online assistant does clearly better.
Frequently asked questions about LM Studio
How much does LM Studio cost?
Free: $0; Bionic+: $20 per month; Pro: $100 per month; Enterprise: custom pricing. Prices checked on October 3, 2026 on the vendor’s official page.
Can you use LM Studio for free?
Yes. LM Studio and Bionic are free with local models: chat, documents, offline dictation, a link between 5 devices, and limited web search. No account is required for local use. The terms of use allow personal use and internal business use.
What happens to my data with LM Studio?
With a local model, your messages, history, and documents never leave your computer.
What are the alternatives to LM Studio?
Ollama: More stripped-down, very widely used, handy if you’re comfortable with a few commands. Jan: Free and open, with a first model downloaded automatically. Msty: To put local models and online models side by side. Duck.ai: Privacy without installing anything: an online assistant with no account. Claude: If confidentiality isn’t at stake, an online assistant does clearly better.
Official pages consulted
Page checked on October 3, 2026. Brands are named to identify the tools. No affiliation.