MLC LLM 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?
MLC LLM
Universal LLM deployment engine for any hardware
VS
New API
Next-gen LLM gateway and AI asset management system
| Feature | MLC LLM | New API |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Local LLM Runners | Local LLM Runners |
| License | Apache-2.0 | MIT |
| Language | Python | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 4,096 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | source, binary | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 23,040 | ★ 44,636 |
| First released | 2023 | 2024 |
| Replaces | OpenAI API | OpenRouter, OpenAI API |
Why pick each one
Choose MLC LLM if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- Mature project with 23k GitHub stars
- Written in Python
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 MLC LLM or New API better?
New API is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider MLC LLM if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are MLC LLM and New API free and open-source?
Yes. MLC LLM is licensed under Apache-2.0 and New API under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run MLC LLM and New API with Docker?
MLC LLM: check the project docs for container support. New API: yes.