kitio.aiLLM vs LMQL
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. LLM starts at Free and LMQL starts at Free. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Prompts from the terminal
- SQLite logging
- Embeddings
- Tool calling
- Plugin system
- Structured extraction
- Constrained generation
- Typed output variables
- Python integration
- Nested queries
- Online playground
| Feature | LLM | LMQL |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Command-line tool and Python library for working with any LLM | Programming language for prompting LLMs with types and constraints |
| Category | Models & APIs | Models & APIs |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes, fully free | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | Simon Willison | SRI Lab, ETH Zurich |
| Based in | United States | Switzerland |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
LLM starts at Free and LMQL starts at Free. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
Prices in USD, checked Nov 5, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
LLM
- Works with hosted and local models
- Keeps a searchable log of every prompt
- Large plugin ecosystem
- Command line only, no GUI
- Hosted models need your own API keys
- Some features depend on plugins
LMQL
- Free and open source
- Guarantees output formats
- Backed by academic research
- New syntax to learn
- Smaller community than mainstream frameworks
- Release pace has been slow
Which one should you choose?
Choose LLM if you want:
- Works with hosted and local models
- Keeps a searchable log of every prompt
- Large plugin ecosystem
Watch out: command line only, no gui.
Choose LMQL if you want:
- Free and open source
- Guarantees output formats
- Backed by academic research
Watch out: new syntax to learn.
LLM vs LMQL FAQ
What is the difference between LLM and LMQL?
LLM: Command-line tool and Python library for working with any LLM. LMQL: Programming language for prompting LLMs with types and constraints. Both are models & apis tools.
Is LLM or LMQL cheaper?
LLM starts at Free and LMQL starts at Free. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do LLM and LMQL have free plans?
LLM: Yes, fully free. LMQL: Yes, fully free.
Who makes LLM?
LLM is made by Simon Willison, based in United States.
Who makes LMQL?
LMQL is made by SRI Lab, ETH Zurich, based in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, LLM or LMQL?
Choose LLM if you value works with hosted and local models and keeps a searchable log of every prompt. Choose LMQL if you value free and open source and guarantees output formats.