Ollama vs llama.cpp
| Ollama | llama.cpp | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | One installer, built-in model library | Build from source or download binaries |
| Interface | CLI + OpenAI-compatible API server | CLI tools (llama-cli, llama-server) |
| Model management | ollama pull / run | Manual GGUF download from Hugging Face |
| Best for | Quick start, Docker, scripting | Maximum control, custom quantizations, embedded |
Verdict
Ollama is the fastest path to a running local model. llama.cpp gives finer control for advanced users and edge deployments.