LMDeploy vs Xinference
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted apps from related categories — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
LMDeploy
Toolkit for compressing and serving large language models
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Xinference
Distributed inference framework for LLMs and embeddings
| Feature | LMDeploy | Xinference |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Local LLM Runners | Self-Hosted AI |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Python | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 16,384 MB | 8,192 MB |
| Deployment | docker, source | docker, kubernetes, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 7,998 | ★ 9,483 |
| First released | 2023 | 2023 |
| Replaces | OpenAI API, Hugging Face Inference Endpoints | OpenAI API, Hugging Face Inference Endpoints |
Why pick each one
Choose LMDeploy if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 8k GitHub stars
- Written in Python
Choose Xinference if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Kubernetes-ready with Helm charts available
- Mature project with 9.5k GitHub stars
Frequently asked questions
Is LMDeploy or Xinference better?
Xinference is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider LMDeploy if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are LMDeploy and Xinference free and open-source?
Yes. LMDeploy is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Xinference under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run LMDeploy and Xinference with Docker?
LMDeploy: yes. Xinference: yes.