One 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?
One API
Unified OpenAI-compatible gateway for many LLM providers
VS
Serge
Self-hosted LLaMA chat UI with no API keys needed
| Feature | One API | Serge |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Local LLM Runners | Local LLM Runners |
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | Svelte |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 8,192 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 36,253 | ★ 5,716 |
| First released | 2023 | 2023 |
| Replaces | OpenAI API, OpenRouter | ChatGPT |
Why pick each one
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
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 One API or Serge better?
Neither is universally better. One 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 One API and Serge free and open-source?
Yes. One API is licensed under MIT and Serge under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run One API and Serge with Docker?
One API: yes. Serge: yes.