KoboldCpp vs One 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
One API
Unified OpenAI-compatible gateway for many LLM providers
| Feature | KoboldCpp | One API |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Local LLM Runners | Local LLM Runners |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | C++ | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 8,192 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 11,358 | ★ 36,253 |
| First released | 2023 | 2023 |
| Replaces | ChatGPT | OpenAI API, OpenRouter |
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 One API if…
- Released under the MIT license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 36.3k GitHub stars
- Written in JavaScript
Frequently asked questions
Is KoboldCpp or One API better?
Neither is universally better. One 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 One API free and open-source?
Yes. KoboldCpp is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and One API under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KoboldCpp and One API with Docker?
KoboldCpp: check the project docs for container support. One API: yes.