Best AI Developer Platforms: 7 Model Hubs, APIs and Local Runners
AI infrastructure for developers: open model hubs, multi-model API gateways and tools for running LLMs locally — find the right way to call or deploy models.
How to choose
- For open models and datasets, use Hugging Face; in China, ModelScope downloads faster.
- To call many providers through one API, use an aggregator like OpenRouter or SiliconFlow.
- When data must stay on your machine, run open models locally with Ollama or LM Studio.
Models & APIs
7Hugging FaceThe largest hub for open models and datasets — the GitHub of AIModelScopeAlibaba-led open model hub, the smoothest way to get models in ChinaOpenRouterOne API for models from every major providerSiliconFlowChinese API platform for open models, quick to set up and well pricedOllamaOpen-source tool that runs open LLMs on your machine with one commandLM StudioDesktop app to find, download and chat with local LLMs, no terminal neededGoogle AI StudioGoogle's Gemini playground: try models free and get an API key
Head-to-head comparisons
Other categories
These are external services we do not operate. Pricing and features change often — the official site is the authority. Mainland China reachability is based partly on testing and partly on public information; it can change and may differ on your network.