Open-Source AI · Fine-tuning

LLaMA-Factory vs Llama Cookbook

LLaMA-Factory vs Llama Cookbook compared for 2026 — features, license, ease of use, performance and which one to choose. Fine-tune 100+ models with a UI vs Official recipes to fine-tune Llama.

Updated regularly · curated by OpenSourceAI.tech

Choose LLaMA-Factory for people who want fine-tuning with a UI. Choose Llama Cookbook for fine-tuning Llama models the supported way.

LLaMA-Factory vs Llama Cookbook at a glance

Spec	LLaMA-Factory	Llama Cookbook
Category	Fine-tuning	Fine-tuning
Type	Fine-tuning toolkit	Recipes & scripts
License	Apache-2.0	MIT
Runs locally	Yes	Yes
Primary language	Python	Python
Ease of use	Intermediate	Intermediate
Best for	people who want fine-tuning with a UI	fine-tuning Llama models the supported way
GitHub stars	—	18.4k

How LLaMA-Factory and Llama Cookbook score

🤝 Too close to call — LLaMA-Factory and Llama Cookbook land within a hair (4.5 vs 4.3 / 5). Pick on fit, not on score.

Criterion	LLaMA-Factory	Llama Cookbook
Popularity	n/a	3.5
Maintenance	n/a	4.5
Ease of use	3.5	3.5
Privacy	5.0	5.0
License freedom	5.0	5.0

Scores are computed automatically from public signals — GitHub stars (popularity), recent commit activity (maintenance), license type (freedom), local-first design (privacy) and onboarding complexity (ease of use). Indicative, not a verdict.

What each one is

LLaMA-Factory

Fine-tuning toolkit · Apache-2.0

LLaMA-Factory is a unified toolkit for fine-tuning over a hundred model families, with both a command line and a web UI for no-code training.

Supports 100+ model families
Web UI for no-code fine-tuning
Many methods: LoRA, QLoRA, full, DPO

Visit LLaMA-Factory →

Llama Cookbook

Recipes & scripts · MIT

The official Meta cookbook of scripts and notebooks for fine-tuning, evaluating and deploying Llama models.

Official, maintained recipes
Covers fine-tuning to deployment
Well-documented notebooks

See the Llama Cookbook page →

Key differences

LLaMA-Factory is fine-tuning toolkit, while Llama Cookbook is recipes & scripts. Their licenses differ (Apache-2.0 vs MIT), which matters if you ship a commercial product. In short, LLaMA-Factory fits people who want fine-tuning with a UI, and Llama Cookbook fits fine-tuning Llama models the supported way.

Which should you choose?

Choose LLaMA-Factory for people who want fine-tuning with a UI. Choose Llama Cookbook for fine-tuning Llama models the supported way.

There is rarely one winner — many setups use both. The right pick depends on your hardware, your team's skills, and whether you value simplicity or control.

Frequently asked questions

Is LLaMA-Factory or Llama Cookbook easier to use?

Both sit at a similar level (Intermediate). Your choice should come down to fit rather than difficulty.

Are LLaMA-Factory and Llama Cookbook free?

LLaMA-Factory is free and open source (Apache-2.0), and Llama Cookbook is free and open source (MIT). Neither charges for the core software.

Can I run LLaMA-Factory and Llama Cookbook locally?

LLaMA-Factory: yes · Llama Cookbook: yes. Both can be used without sending your data to a third-party cloud where their setup allows.

LLaMA-Factory vs Llama Cookbook — which should I pick in 2026?

Choose LLaMA-Factory for people who want fine-tuning with a UI. Choose Llama Cookbook for fine-tuning Llama models the supported way.

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