llama.cpp vs vLLM

A detailed comparison of llama.cpp and vLLM across 11 dimensions.

llama.cpp

C/C++ LLM inference engine

Price
Free (local)
GitHub Stars
121K+
Open Source
true
Models
GGUF models (Llama, Mistral, Qwen, etc.)
Max Context
可配置（最高 128K+）
Multi-file Edit
false
Git Integration
false
MCP Support
false
Sub-agents
false
Platforms
macOS, Linux, Windows
Released
2023
brew install llama.cpp

vLLM

High-performance LLM inference and serving engine

Price
Free (BYO GPU)
GitHub Stars
87K+
Open Source
true
Models
Major models (Llama, Mistral, Qwen, etc.)
Max Context
依模型而定
Multi-file Edit
false
Git Integration
false
MCP Support
false
Sub-agents
false
Platforms
Linux (GPU required)
Released
2023
pip install vllm

Full Comparison

ToolPriceGitHub StarsOpen SourceModelsMax ContextMulti-file EditGit IntegrationMCP SupportSub-agents
llama.cpp🔓
C/C++ LLM inference engine
Free (local)121K+✓GGUF models (Llama, Mistral, Qwen, etc.)可配置（最高 128K+）————
vLLM🔓
High-performance LLM inference and serving engine
Free (BYO GPU)87K+✓Major models (Llama, Mistral, Qwen, etc.)依模型而定————

Quick Install

llama.cppbrew install llama.cpp
vLLMpip install vllm