Top Local LLMs of 2025

Best Local LLMs - 2025

The year 2025 has been remarkable for open and local AI enthusiasts, with significant advancements in local language models (LLMs) like Minimax M2.1 and GLM4.7, which are now approaching the performance of proprietary models. Enthusiasts are encouraged to share their favorite models and detailed experiences, including their setups, usage nature, and tools, to help evaluate these models’ capabilities given the challenges of benchmarks and stochasticity. The discussion is organized by application categories such as general use, coding, creative writing, and specialties, with a focus on open-weight models. Participants are also advised to classify their recommendations based on model memory footprint, as using multiple models for different tasks is beneficial. This matters because it highlights the progress and potential of open-source LLMs, fostering a community-driven approach to AI development and application.

The year 2025 has been a landmark period for local large language models (LLMs), with significant advancements that have delighted Open/Local AI enthusiasts. The latest models, Minimax M2.1 and GLM4.7, have emerged as standout performers, showcasing capabilities that rival proprietary models. This development is crucial as it signifies a potential shift towards more accessible and customizable AI solutions, empowering users with greater control over their AI tools. The conversation around these models is vibrant, with users sharing their experiences and insights, particularly focusing on the practical applications and performance of these open-weight models.

The importance of these advancements cannot be overstated. Open-weight models like Minimax M2.1 and GLM4.7 offer transparency and flexibility that proprietary models often lack. This transparency is vital for fostering trust and encouraging innovation, as users can inspect, modify, and improve the models to suit their specific needs. Moreover, the ability to run these models locally without relying on cloud services addresses privacy concerns and reduces dependency on external infrastructure, making AI technology more inclusive and accessible to a broader audience.

Evaluating the performance of LLMs remains a complex task due to the untrustworthiness of benchmarks and the intrinsic stochasticity of these models. Users are encouraged to share detailed descriptions of their setups, use cases, and the tools and frameworks they employ. This collaborative approach helps build a comprehensive understanding of how different models perform across various applications, such as general guidance, coding, creative writing, and specialized tasks. By classifying recommendations based on model memory footprint, users can optimize their AI usage, selecting the most appropriate models for different tasks and resource constraints.

The ongoing dialogue among AI enthusiasts highlights the community’s commitment to refining and advancing local LLMs. As these models continue to evolve, they promise to democratize AI technology further, making it more adaptable and user-friendly. This progress is not just about achieving parity with proprietary models but about creating a diverse ecosystem where users can tailor AI solutions to their unique requirements. The innovations of 2025 set the stage for an exciting future in AI development, where open and local models play a pivotal role in shaping how technology integrates into our daily lives.

Read the original article here