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.
| Feature | MLC LLM | New API |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 95 · Excellent | 100 · Excellent |
| 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 | ★ 23,182 | ★ 48,726 |
| First released | 2023 | 2024 |
| Replaces | OpenAI API | OpenRouter, OpenAI API |
What are MLC LLM and New API?
MLC LLM
MLC LLM is a machine learning compiler and runtime that deploys language models natively across GPUs, CPUs, browsers, and mobile devices. It enables high-performance self-hosted inference on diverse hardware.
- Compile models for any hardware
- Native GPU acceleration
- Browser and mobile runtimes
- OpenAI-compatible serving
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
MLC LLM vs New API: key differences
MLC LLM is written in Python, while New API is built with Go. Licensing differs — Apache-2.0 for MLC LLM versus MIT for New API. New API is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 4,096 MB for MLC LLM. New API has the considerably larger community, at 48,726 GitHub stars versus 23,182. New API lists first-class Docker deployment; MLC LLM does not.
Why pick each one
Choose MLC LLM if…
- Runs on diverse hardware
- Mobile and browser deployment
- Strong inference performance
Watch out for
- Models need compilation
- Complex toolchain setup
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 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.
Which is lighter on resources, MLC LLM or New API?
New API has the smaller minimum footprint at 512 MB of RAM, compared to about 4,096 MB for MLC LLM. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.