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Open-weight model
What this means: A model whose trained weights have been released for download, allowing it to run on your own device or server. Usage rights are set by the model’s license, which varies between models.
ConceptStable concept
Sources and review
Reviewed September 10, 2026
Also known as
open-weight model, model with downloadable weights
Explained in guides
- Open AI models — a low-pressure first tryWhat an open language model means, how to try one at your own pace without an account, and when a regular online service is the easier choice.
- What is Llama? — a model family for beginnersLlama is Meta’s language model family. Learn how to check whether an app uses it and what open weights and its licence actually mean for you.
- What is Mistral? — an open model or a commercial service?Mistral offers language models with open weights as well as commercial models. Learn how to identify which you are using and what the difference means in practice.