ik_llama.cpp 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 | ik_llama.cpp | New API |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 85 · Excellent | 100 · Excellent |
| Category | Local LLM Runners | Local LLM Runners |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | C++ | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 8,192 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | source, binary | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,254 | ★ 48,815 |
| First released | 2024 | 2024 |
| Replaces | OpenAI API | OpenRouter, OpenAI API |
What are ik_llama.cpp and New API?
ik_llama.cpp
ik_llama.cpp is a fork of llama.cpp maintained by ikawrakow that adds optimized CPU and CUDA kernels, additional quantization formats, and improved performance for mixture-of-experts models. It targets users running large local models on commodity hardware.
- New quantization types
- Optimized MoE inference
- CPU and CUDA kernels
- OpenAI-compatible server
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
ik_llama.cpp vs New API: key differences
Ik_llama.cpp is written in C++, while New API is built with Go. New API is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 8,192 MB for ik_llama.cpp. New API has the considerably larger community, at 48,815 GitHub stars versus 3,254. New API lists first-class Docker deployment; ik_llama.cpp does not.
Why pick each one
Choose ik_llama.cpp if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Active community (3.3k GitHub stars)
- Written in C++
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 ik_llama.cpp or New API better?
New API is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider ik_llama.cpp if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are ik_llama.cpp and New API free and open-source?
Yes. ik_llama.cpp is licensed under MIT and New API under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run ik_llama.cpp and New API with Docker?
ik_llama.cpp: check the project docs for container support. New API: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, ik_llama.cpp or New API?
New API has the smaller minimum footprint at 512 MB of RAM, compared to about 8,192 MB for ik_llama.cpp. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.