KoboldCpp 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.
Not the right match-up?
KoboldCpp
Single-file local LLM runner for text and storytelling
VS
New API
Next-gen LLM gateway and AI asset management system
| Feature | KoboldCpp | New API |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Local LLM Runners | Local LLM Runners |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | C++ | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 8,192 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 11,358 | ★ 44,636 |
| First released | 2023 | 2024 |
| Replaces | ChatGPT | OpenRouter, OpenAI API |
Why pick each one
Choose KoboldCpp if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Mature project with 11.4k GitHub stars
- Written in C++
Choose New API if…
- Released under the MIT license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 44.6k GitHub stars
- Written in Go
Frequently asked questions
Is KoboldCpp or New API better?
Neither is universally better. New API has the larger community, while KoboldCpp is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are KoboldCpp and New API free and open-source?
Yes. KoboldCpp is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and New API under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KoboldCpp and New API with Docker?
KoboldCpp: check the project docs for container support. New API: yes.