Comparison
llama.cpp vs codellama
Verdict
Pick llama.cpp if llama.cpp is a C++ tool for performing inference with large language models, offering a lightweight and efficient alternative to Python-based solutions; pick codellama if codellama offers an open-source inference framework for CodeLlama models using Python.
Markdown twin · llama.cpp alternatives · codellama alternatives
GraphCanon updated Oct 7, 2026
12views this month
Trust & integrity
| Signal | llama.cpp | codellama |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Very active (0d since push) As of Sep 18, 2026 · github_public_v1 | Archived (785d since push) As of Oct 7, 2026 · github_public_v1 |
| Provenance | Not a fork · Organization account As of Sep 18, 2026 · github_public_v1 | Not a fork · Organization account As of Oct 7, 2026 · github_public_v1 |
| OSV dependency advisories | No published findings from this source as of 2026-09-18 As of Sep 18, 2026 · osv@v1 | No published findings from this source as of 2026-07-11 As of Jul 11, 2026 · 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
- llama.cpp
- LLM inference in C/C++
- codellama
- Inference code for CodeLlama models
Stars
- llama.cpp
- 129k
- codellama
- 16k
Forks
- llama.cpp
- 23k
- codellama
- 1.9k
Open issues
- llama.cpp
- 2.5k
- codellama
- 116
Language
- llama.cpp
- C++
- codellama
- Python
Adopt for
- llama.cpp
- llama.cpp is a C++ tool for performing inference with large language models, offering a lightweight and efficient alternative to Python-based solutions.
- codellama
- codellama offers an open-source inference framework for CodeLlama models using Python.
Persona
- llama.cpp
- -
- codellama
- -
Runtime
- llama.cpp
- -
- codellama
- -
License
- llama.cpp
- MIT
- codellama
- Other
Last pushed
- llama.cpp
- Sep 18, 2026
- codellama
- Aug 12, 2024
Categories
- llama.cpp
- Inference & Serving
- codellama
- Inference & Serving
Trust and health
Maintenance
- llama.cpp
- Very active (96%)
- codellama
- Archived (8%)
Days since push
- llama.cpp
- 0d
- codellama
- 785d
Archived on GitHub
- llama.cpp
- No
- codellama
- Yes
Open issues (now)
- llama.cpp
- 2.5k
- codellama
- 116
Stars delta
- llama.cpp
- +5.7k (30d)
- codellama
- -31 (30d)
Open issues delta
- llama.cpp
- +522 (30d)
- codellama
- 0 (30d)
OSV dependency advisories
- llama.cpp
- No published findings from this source as of 2026-09-18
- codellama
- No published findings from this source as of 2026-07-11
Full report
- llama.cpp
- Trust report
- codellama
- Trust report
Choose llama.cpp if…
- llama.cpp is primarily C++; codellama is Python.
- License: llama.cpp is MIT, codellama is Other.
- Tags unique to llama.cpp: c++, ggml, llm-inference.
- When you need a fast and lightweight solution for LLM inference that can be integrated into C++ projects.
When NOT to use llama.cpp
- If your project is already heavily invested in Python and you do not want to introduce another language for inference.
- When you need extensive model training capabilities, as llama.cpp focuses solely on inference.
- If you are looking for a tool with a large community and extensive documentation, as llama.cpp might have a smaller community and less comprehensive support compared to some Python-based alternatives.
Choose codellama if…
- codellama is primarily Python; llama.cpp is C++.
- License: codellama is Other, llama.cpp is MIT.
- Pricing: codellama operates on an open-source model with freedoms for both researchers and commercial entities. Costs will arise from hosting and running environments where required..
- Requirements: Users should familiarize themselves with the acceptable use policy to align their projects accordingly.; Dependencies include Python, which must be installed for using codellama..
- Tags unique to codellama: codellama, inference, python.
- If you need to work with the CodeLlama models specifically and benefit from their specialized capabilities in coding tasks, codellama provides tailored support that may outperform generic solutions.
When NOT to use codellama
- If you are working on projects that do not align with CodeLlama's acceptable use policy or require compliance with specific industry standards beyond what codellama offers.
- For tasks that demand a different primary programming language other than Python, as codellama is primarily developed around the Python ecosystem.
Explore
Sources
Every stat on this page traces to a dated GitHub sync, license file, enrichment field, or trust scan.
- GitHub stars (ggml-org/llama.cpp) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- GitHub forks (ggml-org/llama.cpp) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Last push (ggml-org/llama.cpp) · observed Sep 18, 2026
- License file (MIT) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Sep 18, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Sep 18, 2026
- GitHub stars (meta-llama/codellama) · observed Oct 7, 2026
- GitHub forks (meta-llama/codellama) · observed Oct 7, 2026
- Last push (meta-llama/codellama) · observed Aug 12, 2024
- License file (Other) · observed Oct 7, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 17, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 11, 2026
GitHub stars on cards: llama.cpp 129k · codellama 16k (synced Sep 20, 2026).
Common questions
- What is the difference between llama.cpp and codellama?
- llama.cpp: LLM inference in C/C++. codellama: Inference code for CodeLlama models. See the comparison table for live GitHub stats and shared categories.
- When should I choose llama.cpp over codellama?
- Choose llama.cpp over codellama when llama.cpp is primarily C++; codellama is Python; License: llama.cpp is MIT, codellama is Other; Tags unique to llama.cpp: c++, ggml, llm-inference; When you need a fast and lightweight solution for LLM inference that can be integrated into C++ projects.
- When should I choose codellama over llama.cpp?
- Choose codellama over llama.cpp when codellama is primarily Python; llama.cpp is C++; License: codellama is Other, llama.cpp is MIT; Pricing: codellama operates on an open-source model with freedoms for both researchers and commercial entities. Costs will arise from hosting and running environments where required.; Requirements: Users should familiarize themselves with the acceptable use policy to align their projects accordingly.; Dependencies include Python, which must be installed for using codellama.; Tags unique to codellama: codellama, inference, python; If you need to work with the CodeLlama models specifically and benefit from their specialized capabilities in coding tasks, codellama provides tailored support that may outperform generic solutions.
- When should I avoid llama.cpp?
- If your project is already heavily invested in Python and you do not want to introduce another language for inference. When you need extensive model training capabilities, as llama.cpp focuses solely on inference. If you are looking for a tool with a large community and extensive documentation, as llama.cpp might have a smaller community and less comprehensive support compared to some Python-based alternatives.
- When should I avoid codellama?
- If you are working on projects that do not align with CodeLlama's acceptable use policy or require compliance with specific industry standards beyond what codellama offers. For tasks that demand a different primary programming language other than Python, as codellama is primarily developed around the Python ecosystem.
- Is llama.cpp or codellama more popular on GitHub?
- llama.cpp has more GitHub stars (128,639 vs 16,234). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints.
- Are llama.cpp and codellama open source?
- Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub (llama.cpp: MIT, codellama: Other).
- Where can I find alternatives to llama.cpp or codellama?
- GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at llama.cpp alternatives and codellama alternatives (llama.cpp markdown twin, codellama 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, llama.cpp or codellama?
- llama.cpp: Very active. codellama: 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 llama.cpp and codellama?
- GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: llama.cpp trust report; codellama trust report.