kitio.aiOllama vs Stacklok
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Ollama starts at $20/mo and Stacklok starts at See pricing page. 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
- One-command model runs
- OpenAI-compatible local API
- Model library
- Desktop chat app
- Ollama Cloud
- MCP registry
- MCP gateway
- MCP runtime
- AI gateway
- Kubernetes-native deployment
- Open-source agent harness
| Feature | Ollama | Stacklok |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Run open models locally with one command, plus optional cloud models | Kubernetes-native MCP and AI gateway platform for enterprise agents |
| Category | Models & APIs | Models & APIs |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $20/mo | See pricing page |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | Ollama | Stacklok |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Ollama starts at $20/mo and Stacklok starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
5 plans
Pay as you go
Free
- Run models locally for free
- Pay per token for cloud models
- 3 concurrent requests
Pro
$20/mo
- $60 of usage credits per month
- Access to larger pro models
Max
$100/mo
- $300 of usage credits per month
- 10 concurrent requests
- Early access to new models
Team
$500/mo
- Unlimited users
- $1,000 shared credits per month
- Centralized billing, priority support
Enterprise
Custom
- Cost budgets per user and key
- Dedicated Slack support
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Ollama
- Very easy local setup
- Huge tool ecosystem
- Free for local use
- Fewer tuning options than llama.cpp
- Large models need strong hardware
- Cloud limits can change
Stacklok
- Built by Kubernetes co-creators
- Avoids lock-in to one model vendor
- Fits existing Kubernetes ops
- Requires Kubernetes expertise
- Enterprise pricing not published
- Aimed at platform teams, not end users
Which one should you choose?
Choose Ollama if you want:
- Very easy local setup
- Huge tool ecosystem
- Free for local use
Watch out: fewer tuning options than llama.cpp.
Choose Stacklok if you want:
- Built by Kubernetes co-creators
- Avoids lock-in to one model vendor
- Fits existing Kubernetes ops
Watch out: requires kubernetes expertise.
Ollama vs Stacklok FAQ
What is the difference between Ollama and Stacklok?
Ollama: Run open models locally with one command, plus optional cloud models. Stacklok: Kubernetes-native MCP and AI gateway platform for enterprise agents. Both are models & apis tools.
Is Ollama or Stacklok cheaper?
Ollama starts at $20/mo and Stacklok starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Ollama and Stacklok have free plans?
Ollama: Yes. Stacklok: Yes.
Who makes Ollama?
Ollama is made by Ollama, based in United States.
Who makes Stacklok?
Stacklok is made by Stacklok, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Ollama or Stacklok?
Choose Ollama if you value very easy local setup and huge tool ecosystem. Choose Stacklok if you value built by kubernetes co-creators and avoids lock-in to one model vendor.