exo vs New API
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted local llm runners options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | exo | New API |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 98 · Excellent | 100 · Excellent |
| Category | Local LLM Runners | Local LLM Runners |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Python | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 8,192 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | source | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 47,624 | ★ 48,815 |
| First released | 2024 | 2024 |
| Replaces | OpenAI API | OpenRouter, OpenAI API |
What are exo and New API?
exo
exo is an open-source project that unifies multiple everyday devices into a single AI compute cluster for running large language models. It splits models across phones, laptops, and desktops and exposes an OpenAI-compatible API.
- Distributes models across devices
- OpenAI-compatible API
- Automatic device discovery
- No master node required
New API
New API is a large-model interface management and distribution system derived from One API, providing an OpenAI-compatible gateway with richer billing, rendering and provider support. It is designed for running a self-hosted AI relay service.
- OpenAI-compatible relay
- Multi-provider channels
- Detailed billing
- Modern dashboard
exo vs New API: key differences
Exo is written in Python, while New API is built with Go. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for exo versus MIT for New API. New API is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 8,192 MB for exo. New API lists first-class Docker deployment; exo does not.
Why pick each one
Choose exo if…
- Pools everyday devices
- OpenAI-compatible API
- Runs fully offline
Watch out for
- Experimental and evolving
- Network limits performance
Choose New API if…
- OpenAI-compatible gateway
- Broad provider support
- Built-in billing and quotas
Watch out for
- Docs primarily Chinese
- Niche relay use case
Frequently asked questions
Is exo or New API better?
Neither is universally better. New API has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are exo and New API free and open-source?
Yes. exo is licensed under GPL-3.0 and New API under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run exo and New API with Docker?
exo: check the project docs for container support. New API: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, exo or New API?
New API has the smaller minimum footprint at 512 MB of RAM, compared to about 8,192 MB for exo. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.