Lobe Chat
TypeScript · NOASSERTION
Lobe Chat is an open-source ChatGPT-style chat application with a plugin system and multi-model support, suitable as an agent conversation interface.
chatbotpluginstypescript
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Overview
Lobe Chat vs Cherry Studio: choosing an AI chat / desktop client
Lobe Chat (lobehub/lobe-chat, 81k+ stars, LobeHub Community License) is an open-source AI chat web app with multi-model chat, plugin system, and knowledge base, deployable on Vercel / Docker / cloud. Cherry Studio (50k+ stars, AGPL-3.0) is a cross-platform desktop client with 300+ preset assistants and smart translation, ready out of the box. We compare product form, model support, extensibility, and typical scenarios.
Projects Compared
Cherry Studio
TypeScript · AGPL-3.0
Cherry Studio is an AI productivity studio with smart chat, autonomous agents, and 300+ assistants, providing unified access to frontier LLMs.
chat-uimulti-modelagentdesktoptypescript
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Feature Comparison
| Best for | Lobe Chat | Cherry Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Product form | Web app accessed via browser, deployable on Vercel / Docker / Zeabur / Sealos / Alibaba Cloud. Multi-device (desktop + mobile browser). TypeScript / Next.js full-stack. | Desktop client (Electron) for Windows / Mac / Linux. Install and use, no server needed. Future plans for HarmonyOS / Android / iOS. TypeScript / Electron. |
| Model support | Supports OpenAI / Claude / Gemini / DeepSeek / GLM / local Ollama and more. Plugin system (lobe-chat-plugins) extends Function Calling. Multi-model simultaneous chat. | Supports OpenAI / Gemini / Anthropic / Claude / Perplexity / Poe / Ollama / LM Studio. Multi-model simultaneous sessions. 300+ preset assistant templates. |
| Extensibility | Plugin SDK (@lobehub/chat-plugin-sdk), plugin gateway, lobe-chat-plugins index. Local knowledge base (file upload + vector retrieval). Custom Assistants. | 300+ preset assistants, custom creation supported. MCP Server integration. Document processing (Office / PDF / code highlighting). Mermaid chart generation. AI translation. Built-in global search and topic management. |
| Typical scenarios | Self-hosted web chat UI, multi-device access, plugin ecosystem enthusiasts, users wanting to control their chat history. | Individual desktop users, out-of-the-box experience, 300+ preset assistants, document processing and translation, no server setup. |
GitHub Stats
| Metric | Lobe Chat | Cherry Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Stars | 81.8k | 50.6k |
| Forks | 15.8k | 4.8k |
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| License | NOASSERTION | AGPL-3.0 |
| Last commit | August 17, 2026 | August 17, 2026 |
Which one should you choose?
Choose based on your primary workflow, language ecosystem, and integration needs. Review each project's documentation and recent GitHub activity before adopting it in production.
Frequently asked questions
Which is free: Lobe Chat or Cherry Studio?
Lobe Chat client is free but needs your own API key. Source is under LobeHub Community License (Apache-2.0-based with extra terms; commercial use of modified versions requires a separate license). Cherry Studio client is free under AGPL-3.0; modified derivatives must also be open-sourced.
Which has more preset assistants?
Cherry Studio has 300+ built-in assistants out of the box. Lobe Chat extends functionality through plugins (lobe-chat-plugins index) rather than bundling many preset assistants.
Does Cherry Studio support team collaboration?
Not currently. Cherry Studio is a personal desktop client. Lobe Chat self-hosted supports multiple users, but the default install is single-user.
Which is better for privacy?
Cherry Studio is a local desktop client with data stored locally. Self-hosted Lobe Chat data stays on your server; the hosted version runs on Vercel or similar platforms.