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Labelme

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What Labelme is

Labelme is an AI-powered desktop image annotation tool for building training datasets. It is aimed at researchers, engineers, and teams, and supports polygons, rectangles, oriented rectangles, circles, lines, points, masks, and rich attributes. Listed image formats are PNG, JPEG, BMP, and TIFF. Its local AI options include SAM, SAM2, SAM3, EfficientSAM, and YOLO-World. SAM3 can use box or text prompts, SAM2 and EfficientSAM can use point prompts, and YOLO-World returns bounding boxes. Model weights download on first use; after that, annotation and AI assistance can run offline. The maker says images, annotations, and exports stay on the user's machine without cloud processing or telemetry, and air-gapped use is possible by transferring models or requesting the offline pack.

The application is GPL-3.0 and runs on Apple Silicon macOS, 64-bit Windows, and 64-bit Linux; Intel Macs are supported only through v7.0.4. Starter costs $49, paid once and includes one year of updates. Pro costs $79, paid once, adds a Python-dependent dataset toolkit with more than 10 tools, and includes one year of updates. Pro Lifetime costs $249, paid once and includes lifetime updates. The toolkit automates dataset processing and exports to YOLO, YOLO-OBB, and Pascal VOC. The maker identifies Kentaro Wada as founder and developer; the open-source project began in 2016.

Who it suits

Labelme suits researchers, engineers, and teams creating image training datasets who want local AI assistance and offline annotation. Pro is suited to users who need dataset processing and export tools and can use Python.

What it does well

  • Runs SAM, SAM2, SAM3, EfficientSAM, and YOLO-World locally.
  • Offers diverse shapes, masks, and rich annotation attributes.
  • Annotation and AI assistance can work offline after model downloads.
  • Images, annotations, and exports remain on the user's machine, according to the maker.
  • Pro includes automated YOLO, YOLO-OBB, and Pascal VOC exports.

What to know first

  • No free plan is offered, though a three-day trial is available.
  • The trial excludes the Pro dataset toolkit.
  • Pro toolkit tools require Python.
  • Intel Mac support ends at version 7.0.4.

Limits

Starter has no dataset toolkit. The three-day trial excludes the Pro dataset toolkit, and Pro toolkit tools require Python. Starter cannot be upgraded to Pro at a discount.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
Pro (Lifetime)One-time; lifetime updates · Everything in Pro · All future updates, including major versions · Toolkit requires Python$249, paid once
StarterOne-time; includes 1 year of updates · Desktop app for Windows, macOS & Linux · SAM2 and SAM3 annotation · No dataset toolkit$49, paid once
ProOne-time; includes 1 year of updates · Everything in Starter · Dataset toolkit with 10+ tools · YOLO, YOLO-OBB and Pascal VOC exports · Priority email support (48h response) · Toolkit requires Python$79, paid once

As labelme.io lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Visit https://labelme.io/.
  2. Choose the Starter, Pro, or Pro Lifetime one-time purchase, or use the three-day trial.
  3. Install the desktop application on Apple Silicon macOS, 64-bit Windows, or 64-bit Linux.
  4. Download model weights on first use to enable the selected AI model.
  5. For air-gapped use, move models from a connected machine or request the offline pack.

Verdict

Choose Labelme for locally assisted image annotation, particularly if offline use and a broad range of annotation types matter. Look elsewhere if you need a free plan, text annotation, or API access; Pro toolkit users also need Python.

Questions

Does Labelme have a free plan?

No. It offers a three-day trial, and paid plans start at $49, paid once.

How much do the plans cost?

Starter costs $49, paid once, Pro costs $79, paid once, and Pro Lifetime costs $249, paid once.

Which operating systems does it support?

The desktop app supports Apple Silicon macOS, 64-bit Windows, and 64-bit Linux. Intel Macs are supported only through v7.0.4.

Is Labelme open source?

The annotation application is GPL-3.0. The Pro dataset toolkit is closed source, and AI models have their own licenses.

Does it work offline?

After each model's one-time download, annotation and AI assistance work offline. The maker says air-gapped use is possible by transferring models or requesting its offline pack.

Does Labelme provide API access?

No. API or SDK access is not available.

Facts from Labelme's own pages

AI models
It supports SAM, SAM2, SAM3, EfficientSAM, and YOLO-World, which run locally rather than through a hosted API. · labelme.io, 4 Oct 2026
AI prompts
SAM3 accepts box and text prompts, while SAM2 or EfficientSAM can be used for point prompts; YOLO-World returns bounding boxes. · labelme.io, 4 Oct 2026
Annotation types
It supports polygons, rectangles, oriented rectangles, circles, lines, points, masks, and rich attributes. · labelme.io, 4 Oct 2026
Dataset tools
The Pro toolkit includes batch processing, visual review, image resizing with annotations, label renaming, dataset statistics, export, and command-line automation. · labelme.io, 4 Oct 2026
Founded
2016 · labelme.io, 28 Sept 2026
Integrations and exports
Pro automates conversion to YOLO, YOLO-OBB, and Pascal VOC, can import YOLO and YOLO-OBB, and produces masks, visualizations, and dataset statistics. · labelme.io, 4 Oct 2026
Maker and history
The maker identifies Kentaro Wada as founder and developer, and says the open-source project began in 2016. · labelme.io, 4 Oct 2026
Notable limits
The three-day trial excludes the Pro dataset toolkit, Starter cannot be upgraded to Pro at a discount, and Pro toolkit tools require Python. · labelme.io, 4 Oct 2026
Offline use
After each model's one-time download, annotation and AI assistance work offline; the maker says air-gapped use is possible by moving models from a connected machine or requesting its offline pack. · labelme.io, 4 Oct 2026
Open source and licensing
The annotation application is GPL-3.0, while the Pro dataset toolkit is closed source; the AI models have their own licenses. · labelme.io, 4 Oct 2026
Operating system limits
The desktop app supports Apple Silicon macOS, 64-bit Windows, and 64-bit Linux; Intel Macs are supported only through v7.0.4. · labelme.io, 4 Oct 2026
Privacy
The maker says images, annotations, and exports remain on the user's machine, with no cloud processing or telemetry; model weights download on first use. · labelme.io, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose
Labelme is an AI-powered image annotation tool for creating training datasets, aimed at researchers, engineers, and teams. · labelme.io, 4 Oct 2026
Support
Pro and Pro Lifetime include priority email support with a stated 48-hour response, and team-license inquiries receive a response within one business day. · labelme.io, 4 Oct 2026
Team licensing
Team and enterprise licenses are arranged by email with Pro per seat, one invoice, and volume pricing; each seat is for one named person. · labelme.io, 4 Oct 2026

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