Cherry Studio vs LobeHub (LobeChat)
Short answer
Cherry Studio: Desktop AI client for cloud and local models with agents, knowledge bases and MCP tools. LobeHub (LobeChat): Polished multi-model chat and agent workspace with plugins and knowledge bases. Both are in our Private ChatGPT-style chat category.
Choose Cherry Studio if you want: no server to rent (desktop app).
Choose LobeHub (LobeChat) if you want: fewer license conditions (Custom / conditional vs Network copyleft (AGPL)) and larger community (83.5k vs 53.0k GitHub stars).
Last updated · computed from each project's official docs and live GitHub data · sources
Cherry Studio vs LobeHub (LobeChat) side by side
| Cherry Studio | LobeHub (LobeChat) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Private ChatGPT-style chat | Private ChatGPT-style chat |
| What it is | Desktop AI client for cloud and local models with agents, knowledge bases and MCP tools. | Polished multi-model chat and agent workspace with plugins and knowledge bases. |
| License | AGPL-3.0 (commercial license available) | LobeHub Community License (Apache-2.0 with conditions) |
| License type | Network copyleft (AGPL) | Custom / conditional |
| License conditions | 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. | Commercial use is allowed as a frontend and backend service without modifying the source. Developing and distributing a derivative work requires a commercial license from LobeHub. |
| Status | Active | Active |
| GitHub stars | 53.0k | 83.5k |
| Last commit | Oct 26, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Latest release | v2.1.7 | v2.2.20 |
| Minimum hardware | Not published | 2 vCPU · 4 GB RAM · 20 GB disk |
| Recommended hardware | Not published | 4 vCPU · 8 GB RAM · 50 GB disk |
| RAM measured by us | Not tested yet | Not tested yet |
| GPU | Not required / not stated | Not required / not stated |
| Est. server cost | No server (desktop app) | from €19.99/mo (recommended spec: €35.99/mo) |
| Deploy method | Desktop installer | Docker Compose (setup script) |
| Known gotchas | 3 listed | 3 listed |
| Telemetry | On by default | Not documented |
| Calls home by default | Yes, by default | Not documented |
| SSO (OIDC / SAML / LDAP) | Not documented | Free (OIDC free) |
| Audit log | Not documented | Not documented |
| RBAC | Paid / enterprise only | Not documented |
| Details | Full Cherry Studio guide → | Full LobeHub (LobeChat) guide → |
Key differences
- License: Cherry Studio: AGPL-3.0 (commercial license available) (Network copyleft (AGPL)). LobeHub (LobeChat): LobeHub Community License (Apache-2.0 with conditions) (Custom / conditional).
- Official hardware: Cherry Studio: not published. LobeHub (LobeChat): minimum 2 vCPU · 4 GB RAM · 20 GB disk (recommended 4 vCPU · 8 GB RAM · 50 GB disk).
- Est. server cost: Cherry Studio: no server (desktop app). LobeHub (LobeChat): from €19.99/mo.
- Deploy: Cherry Studio: Desktop installer · desktop installer on each computer. LobeHub (LobeChat): Docker Compose (setup script) · multi-container stack.
- GitHub stars: Cherry Studio: 53.0k. LobeHub (LobeChat): 83.5k.
- Latest release: Cherry Studio: v2.1.7 (Oct 19, 2026). LobeHub (LobeChat): v2.2.20 (Oct 18, 2026).
Same for both: Category: Private ChatGPT-style chat; GPU: not required or not stated; Status: Active; Last commit: Oct 26, 2026.
Cherry Studio vs LobeHub (LobeChat): FAQ
Cherry Studio or LobeHub (LobeChat): which should a small business choose?
Choose Cherry Studio if you want: no server to rent (desktop app). Choose LobeHub (LobeChat) if you want: fewer license conditions (Custom / conditional vs Network copyleft (AGPL)) and larger community (83.5k vs 53.0k GitHub stars).
Which is cheaper to self-host, Cherry Studio or LobeHub (LobeChat)?
Cherry Studio: no server to rent (desktop app).
How much hardware do Cherry Studio and LobeHub (LobeChat) need?
Cherry Studio: not published. LobeHub (LobeChat): minimum 2 vCPU · 4 GB RAM · 20 GB disk (recommended 4 vCPU · 8 GB RAM · 50 GB disk).
What is the license difference between Cherry Studio and LobeHub (LobeChat)?
Cherry Studio: AGPL-3.0 (commercial license available) (Network copyleft (AGPL)). 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. LobeHub (LobeChat): LobeHub Community License (Apache-2.0 with conditions) (Custom / conditional). Commercial use is allowed as a frontend and backend service without modifying the source. Developing and distributing a derivative work requires a commercial license from LobeHub. This is a summary, not legal advice.
Is Cherry Studio or LobeHub (LobeChat) more actively maintained?
Cherry Studio: Active, last commit Oct 26, 2026. LobeHub (LobeChat): Active, last commit Oct 26, 2026. GitHub data refreshed Oct 26, 2026.
Which is easier to deploy, Cherry Studio or LobeHub (LobeChat)?
Cherry Studio installs via Desktop installer (desktop installer on each computer); LobeHub (LobeChat) via Docker Compose (setup script) (multi-container stack). Cherry Studio lists 3 known gotchas and LobeHub (LobeChat) lists 3; see each app page.
Related
- Cherry Studio self-hosting guide · LobeHub (LobeChat) self-hosting guide
- All Cherry Studio alternatives, ranked
- All LobeHub (LobeChat) alternatives, ranked
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- Cherry Studio vs Jan
- Cherry Studio vs LibreChat
- Cherry Studio vs NextChat
- Cherry Studio vs Open WebUI
- Jan vs LobeHub (LobeChat)
- LibreChat vs LobeHub (LobeChat)
- LobeHub (LobeChat) vs NextChat
- LobeHub (LobeChat) vs Open WebUI
- Add a third app in the interactive comparison
Sources
- Cherry Studio GitHub repository: github.com/CherryHQ/cherry-studio
- Cherry Studio documentation, Cherry Studio hardware requirements, Cherry Studio deploy instructions: cherryai.com/docs/en/cherry-studio/installation/
- Cherry Studio license: github.com/CherryHQ/cherry-studio/blob/main/LICENSE
- LobeHub (LobeChat) GitHub repository: github.com/lobehub/lobehub
- LobeHub (LobeChat) documentation, LobeHub (LobeChat) hardware requirements, LobeHub (LobeChat) deploy instructions: lobehub.com/docs/self-hosting/platform/docker-compose
- LobeHub (LobeChat) license: github.com/lobehub/lobehub/blob/main/LICENSE
- Hetzner Cloud pricing used for cost estimates (read 2026-10-26): www.hetzner.com/cloud/regular-performance
- GitHub REST API (stars, commits, releases): docs.github.com/en/rest
Every value is generated from the same verified data as the app pages. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.