Our verdict: Msty Studio puts local models and cloud providers such as OpenAI in one desktop app, with side-by-side chats, an agent mode and document search. Data stays on your PC and the app sends no telemetry. The free plan covers the core features, but several tools are limited and the advanced ones need Aurum at $149 per year.
About Msty Studio
Msty Studio is made by CloudStack, LLC. It connects local inference engines such as Ollama, llama.cpp and MLX with hosted model providers in one model hub. Split Chats run several models side by side, Agent Mode carries out multi-step tasks with tools, Crew Conversations put several personas in one thread, and Knowledge Stacks answer questions from your own documents. Prompt, Persona, Skill and Media Studios help you build reusable prompts and create images.
The free plan includes chat with local and online models, Agent Mode, Split Chats and Media Studio, while personas, Knowledge Stacks, MCP tools and prompt tools are limited. Aurum costs $149 per user per year, or $349 for a lifetime licence, and adds Studio Web, Azure and Bedrock providers, workflow automation and more. Data is stored locally and does not sync between devices; prompts reach a cloud provider only if you choose one.
What it does well
- Local and online models. Uses Ollama, llama.cpp and MLX alongside hosted providers in one model hub.
- Split Chats. Runs several models side by side to compare their answers.
- Agent Mode. Carries out multi-step tasks with tools instead of single replies.
- Knowledge Stacks. Answers questions from your own documents and notes.
- No telemetry. Sends no usage analytics or crash reports back to Msty.
Who it is for
Good fit
People who want one private desktop app for both local models and cloud AI providers.
Look elsewhere
Users who need chats synced across devices or full features without a subscription.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Local and cloud models in one app
- Data stays on your PC with no telemetry
- Agent Mode and Split Chats on the free plan
Cons
- Personas, Knowledge Stacks and MCP tools are limited on the free plan
- Aurum costs $149 per year
- No sync between devices and closed source
How to install Msty Studio
The download button gets the 64-bit Windows installer; an ARM64 build is on the Msty Studio page. Install it as an administrator for your user account only, because installing for all users is not supported. Then add a local engine or a provider API key under model management. Msty Studio installs separately from the older Msty App 1.x.
Questions about Msty Studio
Is Msty Studio free?
Yes. Msty Studio Desktop has a free plan with chat, local and online models, Agent Mode and Split Chats; some tools are limited. Aurum costs $149 per user per year or $349 for lifetime access.
Does Msty Studio send my data to Msty?
No. Msty says its apps keep data on your device and send no analytics or crash telemetry. Prompts go to a cloud provider only if you connect one.
Can Msty Studio run models offline?
Yes, with local engines such as Ollama, llama.cpp or MLX. Models are downloaded separately.
