# MLX vs Local LLM

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Local LLM at none against MLX's 1. Local LLM also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 weeks) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MLX sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Local LLM asks for nothing beyond the download.

Local LLM holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 7 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

MLX ships an update every 3 weeks, Local LLM every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | MLX | Local LLM |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mlx-serve/id6787603518/reviews) | **[5.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/local-llm-on-device/id6804004948/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **10** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 211 MB | 97 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.2 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [David Dalcu](https://appshunter.io/developer/367949221) | [Yanchen Zhao](https://appshunter.io/developer/1866053547) |

## What reviewers say

### MLX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mlx-serve/id6787603518)

This AI studio runs entirely on your device, processing conversations, voice recordings, and generated images locally. It offers hands-free calling, voice cloning, and image generation without any account creation, subscriptions, or tracking.

**Highlights:** On-device AI processing, Hands-free voice calls, Personalized voice cloning, Text-to-image generation, Offline model functionality, No account or tracking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Music Generation | $4.99 | one-time |


### Local LLM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/local-llm-on-device/id6804004948)

This app allows you to run advanced AI language models directly on your iPhone without an account. Engage in conversations, analyze photos, work with documents, and even build interactive web pages and games from chat prompts.

**Highlights:** On-device AI model execution, Offline chat and document analysis, AI-powered website and game creation, Photo analysis, Live voice input, Model catalog for downloads

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MLX free?

MLX is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Local LLM free?

Local LLM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, MLX or Local LLM?

Local LLM is rated higher. MLX averages 4.6 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Local LLM averages 5.0 from 7 ratings.

### Do MLX or Local LLM have ads?

Neither MLX nor Local LLM shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MLX or Local LLM?

MLX ships an update every 3 weeks, and Local LLM every 2 days. Most recently, MLX was updated on October 31, 2026 and Local LLM on October 31, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*