Free AI Model Runners
LM Studio
Desktop app for downloading and running open AI models on your own computer, with a built-in local server other apps can connect to.
AI Local AI
LM Studio is what actually runs the model when I use Cline. Cline is the harness that reads files and runs commands, and LM Studio loads the model onto my graphics card and answers its requests.
I had it installed for months before I really understood what it was for. I thought it was just a chat window for local models. It does have one, but the part I care about is the local server, because that’s what lets Cline, or anything else, talk to a model that never leaves my machine.
Right now I run Qwen 3.5 9B on it, because it fits entirely on the 8 GB card in my PC and that keeps it fast.