Best Deep Learning Software in 2026
Updated
In short: ONNX Runtime is ranked #1 of 36 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Apache TVM and Paperspace Gradient. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Apache TVM. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Paperspace Gradient at $8/mo.
Deep learning software can support model training and deployment, with capabilities that vary across languages, formats, hardware, and workflows. Compare supported languages and model formats alongside GPU acceleration, distributed training, and training mode. Deployment targets can help you assess where a model may run, while free-plan availability and paid-from pricing bring cost into the comparison. ONNX Runtime, Apache TVM, and MegEngine are among the options shown. Consider the training approach you need, the formats and languages you use, and the destinations you have in mind when weighing the listed capabilities.
36 deep learning software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
12 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ONNX RuntimeWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | Free | 6.8 | |
| 2 | Apache TVMWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | Free | 6.7 | |
| 3 | Paperspace GradientWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · API | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | $8/mo | 6.7 | |
| 4 | TensorFlowWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | Free | 6.7 | |
| 5 | MATLAB GraderWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 6 | MegEngineWindows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 5 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 7 | Ray TrainWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 8 | TrackioWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 9 | DeepSpeedMac · Linux · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 10 | NVIDIA Triton Inference ServerWindows · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | $375/mo | 6.4 | |
| 11 | Amazon SageMaker AutopilotWeb · API | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | — | 6.3 | |
| 12 | Lightning AI StudiosWeb | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 13 | PyTorchWindows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | — | 5 of 6 | — | 5.7 |
| 14 | KerasWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.6 |
| 15 | PaddlePaddleWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.6 |
| 16 | tinygradWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 17 | Apache SINGAWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 18 | CaffeWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 19 | Deeplearning4jWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 20 | DeterminedWeb · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 21 | fastaiWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 22 | HorovodMac · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 23 | JAXWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 24 | LudwigWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 25 | MLXMac · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which deep learning software is ranked first on Freedom251?
ONNX Runtime is ranked #1 of 36 with a score of 6.8. Apache TVM is second and Paperspace Gradient third.
How many of these have a free plan?
11 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Paperspace Gradient has the lowest first paid tier we found: $8/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.