SmolLM
Foundation Models · Free
Hugging Face's tiny yet capable language model
At a glance
- Made by
- Hugging Face
- Korean
- None (English and a few others only)
- Open source
- Apache-2.0
- GitHub
- 3,923 stars · Apache-2.0
What is SmolLM?
SmolLM2 is a family of small language models in three sizes: 135 million, 360 million, and 1.7 billion parameters. They are built to be light enough to run on a device while handling a variety of tasks. The 1.7 billion model was trained on 11 trillion tokens and improves on the previous version in instruction following, knowledge, reasoning, and math. The Instruct models also support tasks such as text rewriting and summarization. The GitHub repository also includes the follow-up SmolLM3 (3 billion) and the vision language model SmolVLM.
- Three sizes: 135 million, 360 million, and 1.7 billion parameters
- Lightweight models that can run on-device
- Instruct models support text rewriting and summarization
- Run with Transformers, vLLM, SGLang, or Docker
- Quantized versions available for llama.cpp, Ollama, and LM Studio
- Follow-up SmolLM3: dual thinking/non-thinking reasoning modes, up to 128k context
- SmolVLM: a small multimodal model that processes images and text together
Who uses SmolLM and for what
- Developers running lightweight language models on devices such as handheld devices
- Text tasks such as rewriting and summarization
Pricing
Open source (free, weights/code released)
Released free under an open-source license with no extra cost for self-hosting (usage-based pricing when offered as a cloud API)
Estimate based on AI knowledge - please verify on the official site
AI tools similar to SmolLM (alternatives)
SmolLM vs. alternatives at a glance
| AI | Pricing | Combos on the map | Connected tools | Free | Cheapest monthly | Korean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SmolLM | Free | 0 | 5 | — | — | No |
| Gemini | Free + paid | 81 | 16 | Yes | — | Yes |
| Claude | Free + paid | 83 | 16 | Yes | $20/mo | Yes |
| Command R+ | Free | 30 | 16 | — | — | Yes |
| DeepSeek-V2 | Free | 0 | 16 | — | — | No |
2 of these 5 tools have a free plan. Cheapest paid plan: Claude ($20/mo).
Combo and connection counts are based on the relationships recorded on AI Galaxy Map (2026-10-26); they are not a quality ranking.
SmolLM on AI Galaxy Map
- One of 60 AI tools in the Foundation Models field.
- Connected to 5 other tools — #16 in its field.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use SmolLM for free?
Open source (free, weights/code released). Prices can change, so check the official site before paying.
What AI can I use instead of SmolLM?
Tools that do the same job, such as Gemini, Claude, Command R+, DeepSeek-V2, are connected to it on the map.
Can I use SmolLM in Korean?
None (English and a few others only)
Sources (official pages)
Checked on the official pages on 2026-10-14. Prices and features can change, so check the official site again before paying.