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
Trust & integrity
| Signal | llama.cpp | codellama |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (ggml-org/llama.cpp) · observed Aug 7, 2026
- GitHub forks (ggml-org/llama.cpp) · observed Aug 7, 2026
- Last push (ggml-org/llama.cpp) · observed Aug 7, 2026
- License file (MIT) · observed Aug 7, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- GitHub stars (meta-llama/codellama) · observed Aug 5, 2026
- GitHub forks (meta-llama/codellama) · observed Aug 5, 2026
- Last push (meta-llama/codellama) · observed Aug 12, 2024
- License file (Other) · observed Aug 5, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 17, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 11, 2026
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.