LociChoose Loci for everyday work
You want built-in web retrieval, automatic use of available tools, image questions, and on-device transcription, with help choosing and keeping up with supported models.1
What differs in daily use
Loci brings common assistant features into the app. LM Studio supports tools and images too; some workflows use extensions or a separate app. Here is what each route involves.
| Your decision | Loci | LM Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic tool use | Built-in tools for everyday questionsLoci can use its available tools to retrieve current information when your question needs it. Online retrieval follows your Use sources setting; no MCP server setup is needed for these built-in features. Automatic retrieval and settings ↗ | Tool calling with integrationsModels can call tools through MCP servers, plugins, and developer APIs. Add the integrations you need; supported behavior depends on the model and tools. MCP setup ↗Tool calling ↗ |
| Web search with local AI | Built-in web retrievalWith sources enabled, Loci retrieves relevant web information and uses it in the local model’s answer. Search queries and page requests go directly to providers; answer generation stays on your Mac. Web retrieval and data flows ↗ | Available through add-onsCommunity integrations such as multi-search provide web search and page retrieval, including options without API keys. Install and configure the integration. Bionic separately includes limited web search on its Free plan. Community search plugin ↗Bionic plans ↗ |
| Working with images | Ask about an attached pictureBring a screenshot or photo into your conversation. Image analysis and extracted text are processed on-device; capabilities depend on the model and supported image tools. Images and extracted text ↗ | Image understanding is supportedUse a vision-language model for image input. LM Studio supports JPEG, PNG, and WebP. This is a shared capability, not a Loci-only feature. Vision models and image input ↗ |
| Speech and transcription | Included in Loci for MacUse dictation for a prompt or the Transcribe workspace for a longer recording. Speech recognition runs on your Mac; Loci does not receive the audio or transcript. On-device speech and permissions ↗Mac version checked ↓ | Local transcription in BionicLM Studio documents voice input in its separate Bionic app. Bionic’s Free plan includes local transcription; it is not a paid-only feature. Bionic voice input ↗Free plan ↗ |
| Choosing a model | Recommendations for your MacLoci recommends a model sized for your hardware. You can also download other supported models. Hardware sizing ↗ | Browse, download, and configurePick a curated option or search supported models. Choose a downloaded model and adjust load settings if needed. Setup guide ↗ |
| Keeping up with new models | Automatic catalog checksLoci checks for an updated model catalog, so you can keep up with its latest supported options. Recommendations account for your device. Model catalog updates ↗Model fit ↗ | Find and download supported releasesUse Discover to search Hugging Face models and choose a download variant. Model search and catalog details use an internet connection. Finding models ↗Catalog connectivity ↗ |
| Working without internet | Yes, after a model downloadTyped local chat works offline. Downloads and online information need a connection. Offline FAQ ↗ | Yes, after a model downloadLocal chat, document processing, and the local server work offline. Offline operation ↗ |
| Where your text goes | Local inference on your deviceOrdinary local conversations are not sent to Loci. Online features have separate data flows. Data flows ↗ | Local inference on your deviceDownloaded-model chat and document processing stay local. Bionic cloud models are a separate choice. Local processing ↗Bionic ↗ |
| Connecting your own tools | Start with the assistant workflowIf replacing an API server is essential, confirm your exact integration with Loci before switching. Ask about compatibility ↗ | Documented developer interfacesOpenAI-compatible endpoints, SDKs, a command-line tool, and MCP support. Developer tools ↗ |
| Using other devices | Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, AndroidLoci apps are available across these platforms. Feature availability can differ. Available platforms ↗ | Mac, Windows, LinuxLocally is LM Studio’s separate iPhone and iPad app, with LM Link access to desktop models. Desktop platforms ↗Locally ↗ |
| Keeping your chat history | Plan a small, manual moveNo direct LM Studio chat importer was verified in the public material reviewed. Keep your original history. Switching checklist ↓ | Local chat files and PDF exportThe docs describe JSON chat files; release notes also document chat-to-PDF export. Neither establishes compatibility with Loci. Chat storage ↗PDF export ↗ |
| Getting help | Email supportContact support@askloci.ai. The support page does not specify a response-time guarantee. Loci support ↗ | Documentation and communityThe app docs direct users to Discord for help. No response-time guarantee is stated there. Docs & community ↗ |
Web retrieval is not offline browsing. Loci’s local web RAG combines online source retrieval with an answer generated on your device. Search providers and visited sites still receive the requests described above. Read the data flows ↗
Check your Mac first.LM Studio lists Apple silicon, macOS 14+, and recommends 16 GB or more of memory; smaller models may run on 8 GB. Loci’s Mac download requires Apple silicon and macOS 14+. Confirm current installer compatibility before downloading. LM Studio requirements · Loci Mac guide
Try summarizing the same meeting notes
Paste this example into each app. Check whether the answer preserves owners and dates, follows the requested format, and leaves missing facts missing.
The same input
Fictional meeting notes · no attachment requiredTurn these notes into a table with columns: Action, Owner, Deadline. Use only the information below. Write “Not specified” for missing details. After the table, list any blocker in one sentence. Notes: • Ava will send the revised proposal by October 19, 2026. • Ben will confirm the budget by October 20, 2026. • The accessibility review still needs to be completed. • Launch is blocked until the accessibility review is complete.
In Loci
- Download a model recommended for your Mac and select it.
- Start a chat with that local model and paste the prompt above.
- After the download, disconnect from the internet and ask the follow-up below.
In LM Studio
- In Discover, choose and download a model that fits your Mac.
- Load it in Chat, start a conversation, and paste the same prompt.
- After the download, disconnect from the internet and ask the same follow-up.
What a correct answer includes
A reference checklist for evaluating either app’s output.
- Revised proposal — Ava — October 19, 2026.
- Budget confirmation — Ben — October 20, 2026.
- Accessibility review — owner and deadline both “Not specified.”
- Launch remains blocked by the accessibility review.
Then ask: “What is still missing before we can make a reliable launch plan?” Check that the reply identifies the review’s missing owner and deadline without inventing them.
For a controlled output comparison, use the same model, quantization, context size, and generation settings where both apps support them. The steps above follow product documentation; this page does not report measured speed or firsthand output results.
Both apps are free for local chat
Download a model and run it on your own Mac. Neither app charges a subscription or a per-prompt fee for local chat.
| Cost | Loci | LM Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Required subscription | $0 | $0 |
| Per-prompt fee | None | None |
| Required paid add-ons | None | None |
Loci pricing FAQ · LM Studio: free for home and work · Local and cloud plans
Choose on workflow, not local-chat price. Neither app meters local prompts as a paid service. Your Mac, electricity, storage, and download connection still have costs. Model licenses also vary; choose one that permits your intended use.
Optional Bionic cloud subscriptions are listed at $20/month for Bionic+ and $100/month for Pro, with credit purchases for usage beyond included allowances. These are optional cloud costs, not fees for running a downloaded model locally. Cloud pricing and credits ↗ · Model and app terms ↗
Before moving from LM Studio
Start with one task you repeat often. Keep your existing setup available while you check what transfers and what needs rebuilding.
Save what matters
Keep your original LM Studio conversations. Save important answers and original files separately. A readable export is useful, but it is not proof of an importable conversation.
Find your LM Studio chat files ↗Recreate the working context
Copy the instructions you rely on and paste the relevant background into a new chat. Check file support before bringing over attachments. Do not assume memories, folders, or settings transfer.
Check models and connections
Confirm your model is available and compatible in Loci before deleting any existing download. Keep your API clients and tool connections working until you have verified replacements.
Try a normal working day
Run a familiar writing task, a longer summary, and an offline follow-up. Check factual accuracy, response time, memory use, and reopening a conversation after restarting.
How does Loci help me stay current with models?
Loci checks automatically for an updated model catalog, at most once every 24 hours. That helps you keep up with the latest models Loci supports, while its recommendations account for your hardware. New catalog entries, model downloads, and the model used for a chat are separate things; an updated catalog does not by itself mean your active model has changed. Catalog updates · Hardware recommendations
Is Loci more private than LM Studio?
Both can process downloaded-model chat locally. Check the route you actually use: downloaded local model, web retrieval, paired device, or cloud model. Those routes have different data flows. Loci policy · LM Studio offline operation
Will Loci give better answers?
A model that fits your hardware is a useful starting point. Answer quality also depends on the task, the context, and the app’s configuration. Use the same input in both apps and judge the output against facts you already know.
Does LM Studio work with a phone?
Yes. Its separate Locally app supports iPhone and iPad, and LM Link connects it to models running on a desktop. Loci also offers phone apps. Compare your exact phone and workflow rather than treating “mobile” as a yes-or-no difference. Locally and LM Link · Loci platforms
Sources you can check.
By Loci. Facts checked October 15, 2026 against product documentation, pricing, policies, release notes, and the linked community plugin documentation. Recommendations are Loci’s editorial judgment. Loci’s Mac transcription and image-handling implementation was also reviewed. No firsthand output benchmark is claimed.
View the research record 20 entries
| Claim / evidence | Source | Plan or version | Checked / method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loci can retrieve current information automatically; queries and page requests go directly to providers, while inference runs locally. | Loci privacy policy, web and live-data features · Product page | Use sources setting; local model | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| Loci Mac includes image handling, dictation, and a Transcribe workspace. | Loci Mac implementation review; public image and speech data policy | Mac 0.1.18; release source cce91915a9dc | 2026-10-15 Source reviewed; no runtime benchmark |
| LM Studio supports MCP tool use and vision-model image input. | MCP servers · Image input | MCP since 0.3.17; image support depends on model | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| The community multi-search integration supplies search and page retrieval without API keys. | Plugin author’s README | Community extension; requires installation and configuration | 2026-10-15 Documented only; plugin not tested |
| Bionic transcribes voice locally and is a separate app from LM Studio. | Voice input · Bionic introduction | Bionic Free; local transcription model | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| Loci is free, offers model selection, and has desktop and mobile apps. | Loci product page and FAQ | Free offering; rolling product page | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| Loci hardware recommendations and local-chat setup. | Loci model FAQ · Mac setup | Current product FAQ and Mac download page | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| Loci local content and separate online data flows. | Loci privacy policy | Current privacy policy | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| Loci checks automatically for catalog updates, at most once per 24 hours. This does not establish automatic model installation or switching. | Loci privacy policy, model catalog updates · LM Studio model discovery | Loci rolling policy; LM Studio rolling desktop docs | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| Loci email support; no response-time promise on the page. | Loci support | Public support offering | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| LM Studio is free for home and work; developer tooling is available. | LM Studio for developers | Free desktop app | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| Downloaded models, documents, and local server work offline. | LM Studio offline operation | Local desktop workflows; rolling docs | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| LM Studio’s setup uses Discover and the Chat model loader. | Getting started | Desktop app; rolling docs | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| Apple silicon and macOS 14+; 16 GB+ memory recommended. | System requirements | Mac desktop app; rolling docs | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| Local JSON chat storage; PDF export appears in release history. | Chat storage · Desktop changelog | Current release listed: 0.4.26; PDF entry: 0.4.17 | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| LM Studio supports Mac, Windows, Linux, and community support. | LM Studio app docs | Desktop app; rolling docs | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| Locally provides iPhone/iPad access through LM Link. | Locally and LM Link announcement | Locally / LM Link; article dated 2026-06-04 | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| Bionic is a separate agent app with local and cloud choices. | Bionic introduction · Bionic changelog | Current release listed: Bionic 1.1.8 | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| Bionic Free includes local models and voice; cloud plans cost $20/$100 monthly. | Bionic pricing and credits | Free / Bionic+ / Pro; USD monthly | 2026-10-15 Documented only |
| Model licenses are separate; direct cross-app chat import remains unverified. | LM Studio app terms · Confirm Loci migration support | Terms dated 2026-08-23; importer not established | 2026-10-15 Documented / unverified as noted |
The Loci review combines public documentation with source inspection for the Mac 0.1.18 download; it does not test the packaged app or measure output quality. The LM Studio release and Bionic release are identified separately because they are distinct apps. The example output checklist is a reference answer, not captured model output. No speed, quality, import-compatibility, or support-response benchmark is claimed.
Found a changed price or feature? Send a correction to Loci.