LM Studio vs Merlin
A side-by-side comparison to help you choose between LM Studio and Merlin.
| LM Studio | Merlin | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | The most polished desktop app for discovering, downloading and chatting with local LLMs — GPU-accelerated, no cloud. | A browser copilot that brings every major model to any webpage — summarize, write and chat without switching tabs. |
| Category | AI chat | AI chat |
| Pricing | free · Free for personal use | freemium · Free tier; Pro from $19/mo |
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Features | Run LLMs locallyGPU accelerationPrivate and offlineModel discoveryDeveloper SDKsHeadless server deployment | Summarize web pagesWrite emails and social postsGenerate images from promptsCompose content from videosCreate custom AI botsAccess multiple AI models |
| Website | Visit | Visit |
Template
Run Your Own AI Directory
Everything this site runs on — the directory, the pipelines, the admin console — delivered as one template you deploy and own.
AI Directory Template
Launch price$89 once- Full Next.js source code + 10 pipelines
- Admin console with built-in analytics
- Agent Skills for zero-config setup
- Self-hosted — no recurring platform fees
One-time purchase · License key + GitHub repo access · Deploy on any VPS