# Axolotl

Framework · https://godooo.ai/en/framework/axolotl

> Axolotl is an open-source AI framework, launched in 2023, made for developers.

A framework for fine-tuning and post-training LLMs from a single YAML config.

Main jobs: Fine-tuning. It is open source and free to use. You can use it on your own server, in the terminal and offline on your own machine.

## At a glance

- **Type:** [Framework](https://godooo.ai/en/browse#framework)
- **Launched:** 2023
- **Galaxy:** [Models & APIs](https://godooo.ai/en/galaxy/builders)
- **Open source:** Yes · Apache-2.0
- **Source code:** [github.com/axolotl-ai-cloud/axolotl](https://github.com/axolotl-ai-cloud/axolotl)
- **GitHub stars:** 12,500
- **How you run it:** Self-host · Terminal · Runs offline
- **Made for:** Developers
- **Website:** [docs.axolotl.ai](https://docs.axolotl.ai)

## What it can do

- **[Fine-tuning](https://godooo.ai/en/capability/fine-tuning)** — main job, _proposed by a machine, awaiting calibration_. “A Free and Open Source LLM Fine-tuning Framework” (read on [docs.axolotl.ai](https://docs.axolotl.ai/), 2026-09-24)

## Alternatives

- **[Kohya's GUI](https://godooo.ai/en/product/kohya-ss)** (Open source, free): Also does: Fine-tuning
- **[LlamaFactory](https://godooo.ai/en/framework/llamafactory)** (Open source, free): Also does: Fine-tuning
- **[nanoGPT](https://godooo.ai/en/framework/nanogpt)** (Open source, free): Also does: Fine-tuning
- **[PEFT](https://godooo.ai/en/framework/peft)** (Open source, free): Also does: Fine-tuning
- **[TRL](https://godooo.ai/en/framework/trl)** (Open source, free): Also does: Fine-tuning
- **[Unsloth](https://godooo.ai/en/framework/unsloth)** (Open source, free): Also does: Fine-tuning
- **[Hugging Face](https://godooo.ai/en/product/huggingface)** (Free plan + paid upgrades): Also does: Fine-tuning
- **[ModelScope](https://godooo.ai/en/product/modelscope)** (Open source, free): Also does: Fine-tuning
- **[OpenAI Platform](https://godooo.ai/en/product/openai-platform)** (Paid): Also does: Fine-tuning
- **[fal](https://godooo.ai/en/product/fal)** (Paid): Also does: Fine-tuning
- **[GPT-SoVITS](https://godooo.ai/en/product/gpt-sovits)** (Open source, free): Also does: Fine-tuning; no code needed
- **[LiblibAI 哩布哩布](https://godooo.ai/en/product/liblib)** (Free plan + paid upgrades): Also does: Fine-tuning; no code needed

## Connections

- **Applies:** [Fine-Tuning](https://godooo.ai/en/concept/fine-tuning)
- **Built with:** [PyTorch](https://godooo.ai/en/framework/pytorch)

## Questions

### What is Axolotl?

Axolotl is an open-source AI framework, launched in 2023, made for developers. A framework for fine-tuning and post-training LLMs from a single YAML config.

### Is Axolotl free?

Yes. Axolotl is open source (Apache-2.0) and free to use.

### Is Axolotl open source?

Yes, under the Apache-2.0 license. The source code is at https://github.com/axolotl-ai-cloud/axolotl.

### Can Axolotl run locally?

Yes. Axolotl can run offline on your own machine. It can also be self-hosted on your own server.

### What can Axolotl do?

Main jobs: Fine-tuning.

### What are open-source alternatives to Axolotl?

Open-source ones: Kohya's GUI, LlamaFactory, nanoGPT, PEFT, TRL, Unsloth, ModelScope and GPT-SoVITS. Others: Hugging Face, OpenAI Platform, fal and LiblibAI 哩布哩布.

## Sources

- [docs.axolotl.ai](https://docs.axolotl.ai/) — checked 2026-09-24
- [github.com](https://github.com/axolotl-ai-cloud/axolotl)

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Last updated 2026-09-24 · sources checked 2026-09-24 · Markdown version of https://godooo.ai/en/framework/axolotl. Every page on this site has one: add .md to its address.