--- title: "axolotl vs smartgpt" type: "comparison" canonical_url: "https://www.graphcanon.com/compare/axolotl-ai-cloud-axolotl-vs-cormanz-smartgpt" tools: ["axolotl-ai-cloud-axolotl", "cormanz-smartgpt"] --- # axolotl vs smartgpt *GraphCanon updated Aug 15, 2026* ## Verdict Pick axolotl if axolotl is a Python-based framework designed for fine-tuning LLMs, requiring NVIDIA or AMD GPUs, Python 3.11+, and PyTorch ≥2.11.0; pick smartgpt if smartGPT stands out in its use of Rust as a foundational language, enabling more efficient and secure plugin-based task execution for large language models. [axolotl](https://docs.axolotl.ai) reports 12k GitHub stars, 1.4k forks, and 277 open issues, last pushed Aug 1, 2026. [smartgpt](https://github.com/Cormanz/smartgpt) has 1.7k stars, 124 forks, and 10 open issues, last pushed Apr 11, 2024. Figures are from public GitHub metadata via [axolotl's repository](https://github.com/axolotl-ai-cloud/axolotl) and [smartgpt's repository](https://github.com/Cormanz/smartgpt). | | [axolotl](/tools/axolotl-ai-cloud-axolotl.md) | [smartgpt](/tools/cormanz-smartgpt.md) | | --- | --- | --- | | Tagline | Go ahead and axolotl questions | A program that provides LLMs with the ability to complete complex tasks using plugins. | | Stars | 12,297 | 1,736 | | Forks | 1,399 | 124 | | Open issues | 277 | 10 | | Language | Python | Rust | | Adopt for | Axolotl is a Python-based framework designed for fine-tuning LLMs, requiring NVIDIA or AMD GPUs, Python 3.11+, and PyTorch ≥2.11.0. | SmartGPT stands out in its use of Rust as a foundational language, enabling more efficient and secure plugin-based task execution for large language models. | | Persona | - | - | | Runtime | - | - | | License | Apache-2.0 | MIT | | Categories | LLM Frameworks, Model Training | AI Agents, LLM Frameworks | ## Trust and health _Sourced signals - not a safety guarantee. No winner column._ | | [axolotl](/tools/axolotl-ai-cloud-axolotl.md) | [smartgpt](/tools/cormanz-smartgpt.md) | | --- | --- | --- | | Maintenance | Very active (96%) | Dormant (18%) | | Days since push | 1d | 856d | | Open issues (now) | 277 | 10 | | Stars delta | Unknown | 0 (30d) | | Open issues delta | Unknown | -1 (30d) | | Owner type | Organization | User | | Full report | [trust report](/tools/axolotl-ai-cloud-axolotl/trust.md) | [trust report](/tools/cormanz-smartgpt/trust.md) | ## Decision facts: axolotl - **Requirements:** Hardware requirement includes either NVIDIA (Ampere series or newer) or AMD GPUs.; Software requirements dictate the use of Python >=3.11, with version 3.12 recommended and PyTorch ≥2.11.0. - **Adopt for:** Axolotl is a Python-based framework designed for fine-tuning LLMs, requiring NVIDIA or AMD GPUs, Python 3.11+, and PyTorch ≥2.11.0. ## Decision facts: smartgpt - **Adopt for:** SmartGPT stands out in its use of Rust as a foundational language, enabling more efficient and secure plugin-based task execution for large language models. ## Choose when ### Choose axolotl if… - axolotl is primarily Python; smartgpt is Rust. - License: axolotl is Apache-2.0, smartgpt is MIT. - Requirements: Hardware requirement includes either NVIDIA (Ampere series or newer) or AMD GPUs.; Software requirements dictate the use of Python >=3.11, with version 3.12 recommended and PyTorch ≥2.11.0.. - Tags unique to axolotl: fine-tuning. - Also covers Model Training. - When working with newer NVIDIA Ampere series GPUs or modern AMD GPUs to leverage `bf16` and Flash Attention. ### Choose smartgpt if… - smartgpt is primarily Rust; axolotl is Python. - License: smartgpt is MIT, axolotl is Apache-2.0. - Tags unique to smartgpt: ai, gpt-3, gpt-4, openai. - Also covers AI Agents. - smartgpt ships Docker support for self-hosted deployment. - When you need a system built with Rust to leverage both performance and security while extending LLM capabilities. ## When NOT to use axolotl - If you are constrained by older GPU models that do not support the required features like `bf16` or if your system does not have an NVIDIA or AMD GPU. - In environments where Python version must be less than 3.11, as Axolotl requires at least Python 3.11 for operation. ## When NOT to use smartgpt - If your development team lacks experience in Rust, which could impede project progress. - When the task does not require performance optimizations or secure interactions that come with SmartGPT’s architecture, opting for simpler LLM frameworks might be more appropriate. ## Common questions ### What is the difference between axolotl and smartgpt? axolotl: Go ahead and axolotl questions. smartgpt: A program that provides LLMs with the ability to complete complex tasks using plugins.. See the comparison table for live GitHub stats and shared categories. ### When should I choose axolotl over smartgpt? Choose axolotl over smartgpt when axolotl is primarily Python; smartgpt is Rust; License: axolotl is Apache-2.0, smartgpt is MIT; Requirements: Hardware requirement includes either NVIDIA (Ampere series or newer) or AMD GPUs.; Software requirements dictate the use of Python >=3.11, with version 3.12 recommended and PyTorch ≥2.11.0.; Tags unique to axolotl: fine-tuning; Also covers Model Training; When working with newer NVIDIA Ampere series GPUs or modern AMD GPUs to leverage `bf16` and Flash Attention. ### When should I choose smartgpt over axolotl? Choose smartgpt over axolotl when smartgpt is primarily Rust; axolotl is Python; License: smartgpt is MIT, axolotl is Apache-2.0; Tags unique to smartgpt: ai, gpt-3, gpt-4, openai; Also covers AI Agents; smartgpt ships Docker support for self-hosted deployment; When you need a system built with Rust to leverage both performance and security while extending LLM capabilities. ### When should I avoid axolotl? If you are constrained by older GPU models that do not support the required features like `bf16` or if your system does not have an NVIDIA or AMD GPU. In environments where Python version must be less than 3.11, as Axolotl requires at least Python 3.11 for operation. ### When should I avoid smartgpt? If your development team lacks experience in Rust, which could impede project progress. When the task does not require performance optimizations or secure interactions that come with SmartGPT’s architecture, opting for simpler LLM frameworks might be more appropriate. ### Is axolotl or smartgpt more popular on GitHub? axolotl has more GitHub stars (12,297 vs 1,736). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints. ### Are axolotl and smartgpt open source? Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub (axolotl: Apache-2.0, smartgpt: MIT). ### Where can I find alternatives to axolotl or smartgpt? GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at [axolotl alternatives](/tools/axolotl-ai-cloud-axolotl/alternatives) and [smartgpt alternatives](/tools/cormanz-smartgpt/alternatives) ([axolotl markdown twin](/tools/axolotl-ai-cloud-axolotl/alternatives.md), [smartgpt markdown twin](/tools/cormanz-smartgpt/alternatives.md)), ranked by typed relationship edges rather than popularity votes. ### Is there a machine-readable version of this comparison? Yes. The markdown twin at [this comparison](/compare/axolotl-ai-cloud-axolotl-vs-cormanz-smartgpt.md) mirrors this page for agents and LLM crawlers, with the same stats table and FAQ answers. ### Which is better maintained, axolotl or smartgpt? axolotl: Very active. smartgpt: Dormant. Compare maintenance labels, days since push, and release cadence in the trust section below - stars alone do not measure maintenance. ### Where are the full trust reports for axolotl and smartgpt? GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: [axolotl trust report](/tools/axolotl-ai-cloud-axolotl/trust); [smartgpt trust report](/tools/cormanz-smartgpt/trust). --- **Machine-readable endpoints** - JSON: [`/api/graphcanon/graph?tool=axolotl-ai-cloud-axolotl`](/api/graphcanon/graph?tool=axolotl-ai-cloud-axolotl) - LLM index: [/llms.txt](/llms.txt) - Full corpus: [/llms-full.txt](/llms-full.txt) _GraphCanon - The knowledge graph for AI development. https://www.graphcanon.com/_