Cherry Studio
Desktop AI client for cloud and local models with agents, knowledge bases and MCP tools.
Quick answer
Cherry Studio is a desktop AI client for cloud and local models with agents, knowledge bases and MCP tools, listed under Private ChatGPT-style chat. A typical small-business use: one desktop client for staff who switch between several model providers and local models. It runs on each user's own computer, so there is no server to rent. License: AGPL-3.0 (commercial license available), which allows internal business use.
Last updated · facts verified against official docs on · sources
Activity data comes from GitHub and was last refreshed Oct 26, 2026.
What is Cherry Studio?
Cherry Studio is a desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux that connects to OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini and other providers or to local models through Ollama and LM Studio. It adds agents with file and tool access, MCP servers, local knowledge bases and image generation, and keeps chats and API keys on the device. There is no server to host; each person installs it.
Where it fits in a 10–200 person business
- One desktop client for staff who switch between several model providers and local models
- Local knowledge bases over files and folders without uploading them to a SaaS tool
- Desktop front-end for a company Ollama, vLLM or LiteLLM endpoint
These use cases are our editorial suggestions, not claims made by the project.
Can a business use Cherry Studio? (license)
| License | AGPL-3.0 (commercial license available) |
|---|---|
| Type | Network copyleft (AGPL): Like GPL, and also applies when users access a modified version over a network. |
| Internal business use | Allowed under the license text |
| What to watch | Free for internal and commercial use under AGPL-3.0. If you modify Cherry Studio and distribute it or let users interact with it over a network, you must offer the modified source under AGPL-3.0. A commercial license exempting you from AGPL terms is sold separately. |
This is a plain-English summary of the license text, not legal advice. Third-party models you run with it have their own licenses.
Data & compliance: does Cherry Studio phone home?
| Telemetry (usage data sent to the vendor) | On by default By default it sends anonymized software version, aggregated feature usage, feature activity and frequency, and anonymous error logs and crash reports. Conversations, API keys and knowledge-base content are not collected. How to turn it off: Turn off both toggles under Settings, Data Settings, Privacy Settings. Source: github.com/CherryHQ/cherry-studio/blob/main/PRIVACY.md |
|---|---|
| Other calls home by default (updates, marketplaces, default cloud services) | Yes, by default Basic operational data (version information) is sent by default for version compatibility and security update notices; model calls go directly to the providers you configure. How to turn it off: Disable Basic Operational Information under Settings, Data Settings, Privacy Settings. Source: github.com/CherryHQ/cherry-studio/blob/main/PRIVACY.md |
| Single sign-on (OIDC / SAML / LDAP) | Not documented |
| Audit log | Not documented |
| Role-based access control (RBAC) | Paid / enterprise only Employee access controls are listed as an Enterprise Edition feature. |
| Data residency / GDPR notes from the project | Documented API keys, conversation history and settings are stored locally on the device; there is no cloud sync, and calls to providers you configure go directly from the device. Source: github.com/CherryHQ/cherry-studio/blob/main/PRIVACY.md |
Checked against the project's own docs and repository on . "Not documented" means we could not find the answer in official sources; it does not mean the feature is missing or that no data is sent. Third-party services you connect (model APIs, vector databases, search engines) have their own data policies. Compare all apps.
What hardware does Cherry Studio need?
The project does not publish a minimum CPU/RAM figure, so we leave the official value blank rather than guess.
No hardware requirements are published. Installers are offered for Windows (x64 and ARM), macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Linux (.deb, .rpm, AppImage). Local models run through Ollama or LM Studio, which have their own requirements.
How much does it cost to host Cherry Studio per month?
Runs on each user's own computer, so there is no server to rent.
How to deploy Cherry Studio
Method: Desktop installer
# Download the installer for your OS and chip from https://cherryai.com/download
# Linux: .deb (Ubuntu/Debian/Mint), .rpm (Fedora/RHEL/openSUSE) or .AppImage
uname -m # x86_64 = x64, aarch64/arm64 = ARM64From the official instructions: cherryai.com/docs/en/cherry-studio/installation/. Always check the source for the current version before you run it.
Known gotchas when self-hosting Cherry Studio
- Anonymous usage statistics and crash reports are collected by default. Turn them off under Settings, Data Settings, Privacy Settings. source
- The Built-in Model Services relay prompts and responses through Cherry Studio's own service to an upstream provider. For confidential work, configure your own provider or a local model instead. source
- Centralized model management, shared knowledge bases, employee access controls and private deployment are Enterprise Edition features; the open-source app is per-user. source
Alternatives in Private ChatGPT-style chat
- Open WebUI Feature-rich self-hosted chat UI for Ollama and OpenAI-compatible APIs. Compare Cherry Studio vs Open WebUI
- NextChat Lightweight ChatGPT-style web app you can run with one Docker command. Compare Cherry Studio vs NextChat
- LobeHub (LobeChat) Polished multi-model chat and agent workspace with plugins and knowledge bases. Compare Cherry Studio vs LobeHub (LobeChat)
- LibreChat Multi-provider ChatGPT-style interface with agents, file search and user management. Compare Cherry Studio vs LibreChat
- Jan Offline desktop ChatGPT alternative that runs models on each employee's computer. Compare Cherry Studio vs Jan
Cherry Studio FAQ
How much RAM does Cherry Studio need?
Cherry Studio does not publish an official RAM figure, so we do not state one. No hardware requirements are published. Installers are offered for Windows (x64 and ARM), macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Linux (.deb, .rpm, AppImage). Local models run through Ollama or LM Studio, which have their own requirements.
How much does it cost to self-host Cherry Studio?
The software is free to download. It runs on each user's own computer, so there is no server to rent.
Is Cherry Studio free for commercial use?
Cherry Studio is licensed under AGPL-3.0 (commercial license available) (Network copyleft (AGPL)). Internal business use is allowed under the license text. Free for internal and commercial use under AGPL-3.0. If you modify Cherry Studio and distribute it or let users interact with it over a network, you must offer the modified source under AGPL-3.0. A commercial license exempting you from AGPL terms is sold separately. This is a summary, not legal advice.
What are common problems when self-hosting Cherry Studio?
Anonymous usage statistics and crash reports are collected by default. Turn them off under Settings, Data Settings, Privacy Settings. The Built-in Model Services relay prompts and responses through Cherry Studio's own service to an upstream provider. For confidential work, configure your own provider or a local model instead. Centralized model management, shared knowledge bases, employee access controls and private deployment are Enterprise Edition features; the open-source app is per-user.
Is Cherry Studio still maintained?
Yes, it is actively developed. Last commit: Oct 26, 2026. Latest release: v2.1.7 (Oct 19, 2026). Checked Oct 26, 2026.
How do I install Cherry Studio?
The official method is Desktop installer. The exact commands are in the "How to deploy" section above and in the official instructions: https://cherryai.com/docs/en/cherry-studio/installation/
What are self-hosted alternatives to Cherry Studio?
Other apps in Private ChatGPT-style chat: Open WebUI, NextChat, LobeHub (LobeChat), LibreChat, Jan.
Sources
- GitHub repository: github.com/CherryHQ/cherry-studio
- Official documentation, Hardware requirements, Deploy instructions: cherryai.com/docs/en/cherry-studio/installation/
- License text: github.com/CherryHQ/cherry-studio/blob/main/LICENSE
- Gotcha 1, Gotcha 2: github.com/CherryHQ/cherry-studio/blob/main/PRIVACY.md
- Gotcha 3: github.com/CherryHQ/cherry-studio#readme
- Hetzner Cloud pricing (cost estimate): www.hetzner.com/cloud/regular-performance
- GitHub stars, commits and releases: GitHub REST API, fetched
Facts on this page were checked against the project's own repository and docs on 2026-10-26. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.