Home/Compare/llama.cpp vs codellama

Comparison

llama.cpp vs codellama

Verdict

Pick llama.cpp if llama.cpp is a C++ framework for LLM inference, offering versatile installation options including package managers, Docker, and binary downloads; pick codellama if codellama offers an open-source inference framework for CodeLlama models using Python.

Markdown twin · llama.cpp alternatives · codellama alternatives

GraphCanon updated 2w

llama.cpp logo

llama.cpp

ggml-org/llama.cpp

123kpushed Aug 7, 2026
vs
codellama logo

codellama

meta-llama/codellama

16kpushed Aug 12, 2024

Trust & integrity

Signalllama.cppcodellama
Maintenance
Very active (0d since push)
As of 2w · github_public_v1
Archived (722d since push)
As of 2w · github_public_v1
Provenance
Not a fork · Organization account
As of 2w · 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 published findings from this source as of 2026-07-11
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

llama.cpp
LLM inference in C/C++
codellama
Inference code for CodeLlama models

Stars

llama.cpp
123k
codellama
16k

Forks

llama.cpp
21k
codellama
1.9k

Open issues

llama.cpp
2.0k
codellama
116

Language

llama.cpp
C++
codellama
Python

Adopt for

llama.cpp
llama.cpp is a C++ framework for LLM inference, offering versatile installation options including package managers, Docker, and binary downloads.
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 licensed, allowing free use and modification under certain conditions.
codellama
Other

Last pushed

llama.cpp
Aug 7, 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
722d

Archived on GitHub

llama.cpp
No
codellama
Yes

Open issues (now)

llama.cpp
2.0k
codellama
116

Stars delta

llama.cpp
+3.4k (30d)
codellama
Unknown

Open issues delta

llama.cpp
+143 (30d)
codellama
Unknown

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.
  • llama.cpp supports various installation methods including package managers (like brew), Docker containers for isolation, pre-built binaries for ease of deployment, and source builds for flexibility.
  • Requirements: Installation can be done via multiple channels including package managers, Docker, and direct downloads..
  • Tags unique to llama.cpp: c++, ggml.
  • - You need high-performance inference capabilities in a lightweight environment where C++ performance benefits are critical.

When NOT to use llama.cpp

  • - If you prefer a language other than C++, as this tool lacks support for Python or JavaScript bindings that provide higher-level abstractions.
  • - When your project demands extensive runtime customization and flexibility that is more easily achieved in languages like Python with libraries such as PyTorch.

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 on cards: llama.cpp 123k · codellama 16k (synced Aug 7, 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; llama.cpp supports various installation methods including package managers (like brew), Docker containers for isolation, pre-built binaries for ease of deployment, and source builds for flexibility; Requirements: Installation can be done via multiple channels including package managers, Docker, and direct downloads.; Tags unique to llama.cpp: c++, ggml; - You need high-performance inference capabilities in a lightweight environment where C++ performance benefits are critical.
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 you prefer a language other than C++, as this tool lacks support for Python or JavaScript bindings that provide higher-level abstractions. - When your project demands extensive runtime customization and flexibility that is more easily achieved in languages like Python with libraries such as PyTorch.
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 (122,941 vs 16,280). 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.

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