--- title: "train-llm-from-scratch vs ray-llm" type: "comparison" canonical_url: "https://www.graphcanon.com/compare/fareedkhan-dev-train-llm-from-scratch-vs-ray-project-ray-llm" tools: ["fareedkhan-dev-train-llm-from-scratch", "ray-project-ray-llm"] --- # train-llm-from-scratch vs ray-llm *GraphCanon updated Aug 17, 2026* ## 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 ray-llm if archived LLM deployment tool integrated into Ray; now focus on built-in APIs (`ray.serve.llm` & `ray.data.llm`). [train-llm-from-scratch](https://fareedkhan-dev.github.io/train-llm-from-scratch/) reports 9.1k GitHub stars, 1.3k forks, and 6 open issues, last pushed Aug 17, 2026. [ray-llm](https://docs.ray.io/en/latest/) has 1.3k stars, 90 forks, and 0 open issues, last pushed Mar 13, 2025. Figures are from public GitHub metadata via [train-llm-from-scratch's repository](https://github.com/FareedKhan-dev/train-llm-from-scratch) and [ray-llm's repository](https://github.com/ray-project/ray-llm). | | [train-llm-from-scratch](/tools/fareedkhan-dev-train-llm-from-scratch.md) | [ray-llm](/tools/ray-project-ray-llm.md) | | --- | --- | --- | | Tagline | A straightforward method for training your LLM from raw text to aligned model generation | Archived repository; LLM serving APIs integrated into the Ray project | | Stars | 9,141 | 1,261 | | Forks | 1,264 | 90 | | Open issues | 6 | 0 | | Language | Python | - | | Adopt for | train-llm-from-scratch offers a comprehensive approach for training your own Large Language Model (LLM) using PyTorch, solely powered by a single GPU. | Archived LLM deployment tool integrated into Ray; now focus on built-in APIs (`ray.serve.llm` & `ray.data.llm`). | | Persona | - | - | | Runtime | - | - | | License | MIT | - | | Categories | Inference & Serving, Model Training | Inference & Serving, Model Training | ## Trust and health _Sourced signals - not a safety guarantee. No winner column._ | | [train-llm-from-scratch](/tools/fareedkhan-dev-train-llm-from-scratch.md) | [ray-llm](/tools/ray-project-ray-llm.md) | | --- | --- | --- | | Maintenance | Very active (96%) | Archived (8%) | | Days since push | 0d | 507d | | Archived on GitHub | No | Yes | | Open issues (now) | 6 | 0 | | Stars delta | +765 (30d) | Unknown | | Open issues delta | +4 (30d) | Unknown | | Owner type | User | Organization | | Full report | [trust report](/tools/fareedkhan-dev-train-llm-from-scratch/trust.md) | [trust report](/tools/ray-project-ray-llm/trust.md) | ## Decision facts: train-llm-from-scratch - **Pricing:** freemium - 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. - **Adopt for:** train-llm-from-scratch offers a comprehensive approach for training your own Large Language Model (LLM) using PyTorch, solely powered by a single GPU. ## Decision facts: ray-llm - **Adopt for:** Archived LLM deployment tool integrated into Ray; now focus on built-in APIs (`ray.serve.llm` & `ray.data.llm`). ## Choose when ### Choose train-llm-from-scratch if… - 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. ### Choose ray-llm if… - Tags unique to ray-llm: llm-serving, ray. - For deploying LLMs with new Ray-integrated APIs, ensuring direct support and updates from the Ray team. - Leaner open-issue backlog (0). ## 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. ## When NOT to use ray-llm - If seeking a standalone solution distinct from Ray’s main project, preferring specialized tools. - For needs requiring active maintenance and development in this specific repository; consider alternative up-to-date projects. ## Common questions ### What is the difference between train-llm-from-scratch and ray-llm? train-llm-from-scratch: A straightforward method for training your LLM from raw text to aligned model generation. ray-llm: Archived repository; LLM serving APIs integrated into the Ray project. See the comparison table for live GitHub stats and shared categories. ### When should I choose train-llm-from-scratch over ray-llm? Choose train-llm-from-scratch over ray-llm when 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 ray-llm over train-llm-from-scratch? Choose ray-llm over train-llm-from-scratch when Tags unique to ray-llm: llm-serving, ray; For deploying LLMs with new Ray-integrated APIs, ensuring direct support and updates from the Ray team; Leaner open-issue backlog (0). ### 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 ray-llm? If seeking a standalone solution distinct from Ray’s main project, preferring specialized tools. For needs requiring active maintenance and development in this specific repository; consider alternative up-to-date projects. ### Is train-llm-from-scratch or ray-llm more popular on GitHub? train-llm-from-scratch has more GitHub stars (9,141 vs 1,261). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints. ### Are train-llm-from-scratch and ray-llm open source? Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub. ### Where can I find alternatives to train-llm-from-scratch or ray-llm? GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at [train-llm-from-scratch alternatives](/tools/fareedkhan-dev-train-llm-from-scratch/alternatives) and [ray-llm alternatives](/tools/ray-project-ray-llm/alternatives) ([train-llm-from-scratch markdown twin](/tools/fareedkhan-dev-train-llm-from-scratch/alternatives.md), [ray-llm markdown twin](/tools/ray-project-ray-llm/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/fareedkhan-dev-train-llm-from-scratch-vs-ray-project-ray-llm.md) 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 ray-llm? train-llm-from-scratch: Very active. ray-llm: Archived. 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 ray-llm? GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: [train-llm-from-scratch trust report](/tools/fareedkhan-dev-train-llm-from-scratch/trust); [ray-llm trust report](/tools/ray-project-ray-llm/trust). --- **Machine-readable endpoints** - JSON: [`/api/graphcanon/graph?tool=fareedkhan-dev-train-llm-from-scratch`](/api/graphcanon/graph?tool=fareedkhan-dev-train-llm-from-scratch) - 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/_