Best for
- Desktop users who want to manage multiple LLM providers in one place
- Productivity users who need versatile AI assistants and document processing
- Developers who want to use a local client and connect external services via MCP
C
30FMRS · D
Cherry Studio is a feature-rich AI desktop client that supports multiple LLMs and includes built-in MCP support. It is suitable for individual users who want a unified AI workflow. As an MCP server, it does not expose tools itself, but rather allows users to configure MCP servers to extend the app. Therefore, it primarily acts as an MCP client, not a server.
Cherry Studio is a desktop client that supports multiple LLM providers, available on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It offers 300+ pre-configured AI assistants, multi-model simultaneous conversations, document processing, WebDAV file management and backup, Mermaid chart visualization, code syntax highlighting, global search, topic management, AI-powered translation, drag-and-drop sorting, mini-program support, and MCP (Model Context Protocol) server support. The desktop app includes built-in MCP support, allowing users to configure MCP servers to enhance functionality.
Tools
The tool list has not been reviewed yet.
Setup
- Download the installer for your operating system from [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/CherryHQ/cherry-studio/releases).
- Install and launch Cherry Studio.
- In settings, configure your LLM API keys or use built-in AI web services.
- To use MCP servers, add server configurations (e.g., as stdio servers) in the app's MCP settings.
Fit and risk
Not for
- As a standalone MCP server providing API services
- Users who don't need a desktop app and only want a pure MCP server
- Teams requiring cloud-hosted or collaborative features (consider Enterprise Edition)
Required permissions
- Access to local file system for reading documents (for processing)
- Network access to connect to LLM APIs and AI web services
- Configuration and interaction with MCP servers (e.g., via stdio)
- Optional WebDAV access for backups
Risks and side effects
- Users manage their own API keys, which could be leaked if not handled securely
- Data may be sent to external servers when using third-party AI services
- Misconfigured MCP servers could lead to data exposure or unintended actions
- As an AGPL-3.0 licensed open-source project, modifications and distribution must comply with the license terms
Troubleshooting
- If an MCP server is not connecting, check the path and parameters in the MCP configuration, ensure the server is executable and environment variables are set.
- If LLM requests fail, verify API key validity, quota, and network connectivity.
- If the app crashes, try updating to the latest version or check GitHub Issues.
- For document processing issues, check if the file format is supported.
- Refer to the official documentation (linked in the README) for more detailed troubleshooting.
Use cases
Use as a multi-model AI chat client to manage multiple LLM providers (OpenAI, Gemini, Anthropic, etc.)
Use 300+ pre-configured AI assistants for content creation, translation, coding, and more
Extend functionality via MCP integrations to connect external tools and data sources
Backup chat data and files using WebDAV
Run local models with Ollama and LM Studio for privacy
Supported clients
Cherry StudioFull support