New API vs Serge
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?
New API
Next-gen LLM gateway and AI asset management system
VS
Serge
Self-hosted LLaMA chat UI with no API keys needed
| Feature | New API | Serge |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Local LLM Runners | Local LLM Runners |
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Go | Svelte |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 8,192 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 44,636 | ★ 5,716 |
| First released | 2024 | 2023 |
| Replaces | OpenRouter, OpenAI API | ChatGPT |
Why pick each one
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
Choose Serge if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 5.7k GitHub stars
Frequently asked questions
Is New API or Serge better?
Neither is universally better. New API has the larger community, while Serge is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are New API and Serge free and open-source?
Yes. New API is licensed under MIT and Serge under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run New API and Serge with Docker?
New API: yes. Serge: yes.