Home/Compare/train-llm-from-scratch vs open-r1

Comparison

train-llm-from-scratch vs open-r1

Verdict

Pick train-llm-from-scratch if train-llm-from-scratch offers a comprehensive approach for training your own Large Language Model (LLM) using PyTorch, solely powered by a single GPU; pick open-r1 if open-R1 is an open-source effort to replicate DeepSeek-R1's models and training pipelines involving model distillation, RL pipeline replication, and multi-stage training.

Markdown twin · train-llm-from-scratch alternatives · open-r1 alternatives

GraphCanon updated 1w

train-llm-from-scratch logo

train-llm-from-scratch

FareedKhan-dev/train-llm-from-scratch

9.1kpushed Aug 17, 2026
vs
open-r1 logo

open-r1

huggingface/open-r1

26kpushed Apr 2, 2026

Trust & integrity

Signaltrain-llm-from-scratchopen-r1
Maintenance
Very active (0d since push)
As of 1w · github_public_v1
Slowing (125d since push)
As of 2w · github_public_v1
Provenance
Not a fork · Personal account
As of 1w · github_public_v1
Not a fork · Organization account
As of 2w · github_public_v1
OSV dependency advisories
No published findings from this source as of 2026-07-11
As of 1mo · osv@v1
No lockfile (source not queried)
As of 1mo · osv@v1
deps.dev advisories
Not queried
deps.dev@v1
Not queried
deps.dev@v1
OpenSSF Scorecard
Not queried
openssf-scorecard@v1
Not queried
openssf-scorecard@v1

Tagline

train-llm-from-scratch
A straightforward method for training your LLM from raw text to aligned model generation
open-r1
Fully open reproduction of DeepSeek-R1

Stars

train-llm-from-scratch
9.1k
open-r1
26k

Forks

train-llm-from-scratch
1.3k
open-r1
2.4k

Open issues

train-llm-from-scratch
6
open-r1
340

Language

train-llm-from-scratch
Python
open-r1
Python

Adopt for

train-llm-from-scratch
train-llm-from-scratch offers a comprehensive approach for training your own Large Language Model (LLM) using PyTorch, solely powered by a single GPU.
open-r1
Open-R1 is an open-source effort to replicate DeepSeek-R1's models and training pipelines involving model distillation, RL pipeline replication, and multi-stage training.

Persona

train-llm-from-scratch
-
open-r1
-

Runtime

train-llm-from-scratch
-
open-r1
-

License

train-llm-from-scratch
MIT
open-r1
The project is licensed under Apache-2.0, providing a permissive license that allows for free use, modification, and distribution.

Last pushed

train-llm-from-scratch
Aug 17, 2026
open-r1
Apr 2, 2026

Categories

train-llm-from-scratch
Inference & Serving, Model Training
open-r1
Inference & Serving, Model Training

Trust and health

Maintenance

train-llm-from-scratch
Very active (96%)
open-r1
Slowing (36%)

Days since push

train-llm-from-scratch
0d
open-r1
125d

Open issues (now)

train-llm-from-scratch
6
open-r1
340

Stars delta

train-llm-from-scratch
+765 (30d)
open-r1
Unknown

Open issues delta

train-llm-from-scratch
+4 (30d)
open-r1
Unknown

Owner type

train-llm-from-scratch
User
open-r1
Organization

OSV dependency advisories

train-llm-from-scratch
No published findings from this source as of 2026-07-11
open-r1
No lockfile (source not queried)

Full report

train-llm-from-scratch
Trust report

Choose train-llm-from-scratch if…

  • License: train-llm-from-scratch is MIT, open-r1 is Apache-2.0.
  • Pricing: This repository is available under the MIT license, allowing free use for both personal and commercial purposes. The model training requires resources on your end with no additional licensing costs..
  • Requirements: A single GPU environment is necessary.; Basic understanding of PyTorch is recommended to leverage the full potential of this tool.; Familiarity with NLP and transformer-based models can be helpful but not mandatory..
  • Tags unique to train-llm-from-scratch: gemini, large language models, llm, openai.
  • You're interested in building an LLM from the ground up without relying on prebuilt packages like transformers or peft.

When NOT to use train-llm-from-scratch

  • Your goal is to rapidly prototype and fine-tune an existing pre-trained LLM with minimal coding effort.
  • You prefer using established transformer libraries or frameworks like Hugging Face's transformers, which offer quicker setup but less control over the underlying code.
  • You are working in a multi-GPU environment and need distributed training capabilities that go beyond what is offered here.
  • You seek immediate access to state-of-the-art models without wanting to dive into the intricate workings of an LLM.

Choose open-r1 if…

  • License: open-r1 is Apache-2.0, train-llm-from-scratch is MIT.
  • Requirements: Min 8 GB RAM; Installation requires CUDA version 12.4 and PyTorch v2.6.0, with specific dependencies like vLLM and FlashAttention that are critical..
  • Tags unique to open-r1: cuda, deepseek-r1, flashattention, model distillation.
  • Use Open-R1 when you need a detailed understanding of how DeepSeek-R1 operates, considering the project closely mirrors its architecture and processes.

When NOT to use open-r1

  • Avoid Open-R1 if your hardware does not support CUDA 12.4 or cannot run PyTorch `v2.6.0`, as this may lead to errors.
  • Do not use it if the need for rapid experimentation outweighs the value of detailed replication, since the multi-stage training and datasets curation process can be time-consuming.

Explore

Sources

Every stat on this page traces to a dated GitHub sync, license file, enrichment field, or trust scan.

GitHub stars on cards: train-llm-from-scratch 9.1k · open-r1 26k (synced Aug 17, 2026).

Common questions

What is the difference between train-llm-from-scratch and open-r1?
train-llm-from-scratch: A straightforward method for training your LLM from raw text to aligned model generation. open-r1: Fully open reproduction of DeepSeek-R1. See the comparison table for live GitHub stats and shared categories.
When should I choose train-llm-from-scratch over open-r1?
Choose train-llm-from-scratch over open-r1 when License: train-llm-from-scratch is MIT, open-r1 is Apache-2.0; Pricing: This repository is available under the MIT license, allowing free use for both personal and commercial purposes. The model training requires resources on your end with no additional licensing costs.; Requirements: A single GPU environment is necessary.; Basic understanding of PyTorch is recommended to leverage the full potential of this tool.; Familiarity with NLP and transformer-based models can be helpful but not mandatory.; Tags unique to train-llm-from-scratch: gemini, large language models, llm, openai; You're interested in building an LLM from the ground up without relying on prebuilt packages like transformers or peft.
When should I choose open-r1 over train-llm-from-scratch?
Choose open-r1 over train-llm-from-scratch when License: open-r1 is Apache-2.0, train-llm-from-scratch is MIT; Requirements: Min 8 GB RAM; Installation requires CUDA version 12.4 and PyTorch v2.6.0, with specific dependencies like vLLM and FlashAttention that are critical.; Tags unique to open-r1: cuda, deepseek-r1, flashattention, model distillation; Use Open-R1 when you need a detailed understanding of how DeepSeek-R1 operates, considering the project closely mirrors its architecture and processes.
When should I avoid train-llm-from-scratch?
Your goal is to rapidly prototype and fine-tune an existing pre-trained LLM with minimal coding effort. You prefer using established transformer libraries or frameworks like Hugging Face's transformers, which offer quicker setup but less control over the underlying code. You are working in a multi-GPU environment and need distributed training capabilities that go beyond what is offered here. You seek immediate access to state-of-the-art models without wanting to dive into the intricate workings of an LLM.
When should I avoid open-r1?
Avoid Open-R1 if your hardware does not support CUDA 12.4 or cannot run PyTorch v2.6.0, as this may lead to errors. Do not use it if the need for rapid experimentation outweighs the value of detailed replication, since the multi-stage training and datasets curation process can be time-consuming.
Is train-llm-from-scratch or open-r1 more popular on GitHub?
open-r1 has more GitHub stars (26,423 vs 9,141). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints.
Are train-llm-from-scratch and open-r1 open source?
Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub (train-llm-from-scratch: MIT, open-r1: Apache-2.0).
Where can I find alternatives to train-llm-from-scratch or open-r1?
GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at train-llm-from-scratch alternatives and open-r1 alternatives (train-llm-from-scratch markdown twin, open-r1 markdown twin), 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 mirrors this page for agents and LLM crawlers, with the same stats table and FAQ answers.
Which is better maintained, train-llm-from-scratch or open-r1?
train-llm-from-scratch: Very active. open-r1: Slowing. 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 train-llm-from-scratch and open-r1?
GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: train-llm-from-scratch trust report; open-r1 trust report.

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