Best Deep Learning Software in 2026
Updated
In short: TensorFlow is ranked #1 of 30 as of 2 October 2026, ahead of PyTorch and Caffe. 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.
For teams building or training neural networks, the right software depends on both the workflow and where models need to run. Compare supported languages and model formats with GPU acceleration, distributed training, and training mode; deployment targets add another dimension. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing help frame the listed cost options. TensorFlow and PyTorch open the ranking, followed by Caffe, Valohai, and DeepSpeed. Start with the languages and formats already in your stack, then consider whether the available training and deployment choices match your intended work.
30 deep learning software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
| # | Platform | Score | Why | From | Free plan | Paid from | Training mode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  TensorFlow | 8.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | local | View |
| 2 |  PyTorch | 8.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | both | View |
| 3 |  Caffe | 7.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | local | View |
| 4 | Valohai | 7.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | — | View |
| 5 |  DeepSpeed | 7.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | local | View |
| 6 |  Deeplearning4j | 7.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | both | View |
| 7 |  Keras | 7.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | local | View |
| 8 |  Apache TVM | 7.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | — | View |
| 9 |  NVIDIA TensorRT | 6.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | local | View |
| 10 |  NVIDIA Triton Inference Server | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
| 11 |  NVIDIA TAO Toolkit | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | both | View |
| 12 |  NVIDIA cuDNN | 6.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | local | View |
| 13 |  Lightning AI Studios | 6.6 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | — | View |
| 14 |  fastai | 6.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | local | View |
| 15 |  Apache SINGA | 6.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | local | View |
| 16 |  Chainer | 6.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | local | View |
| 17 |  Tarantella | 6.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | local | View |
| 18 |  Paperspace Gradient | 6.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $8/mo | Yes | 8 /mo | — | View |
| 19 |  Horovod | 6.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | both | View |
| 20 |  JAX | 6.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | local | View |
| 21 |  MindSpore | 6.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | local | View |
| 22 |  ONNX Runtime | 6.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | local | View |
| 23 |  OpenVINO | 5.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | local | View |
| 24 | MegEngine | 5.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | local | View |
| 25 |  Ray Train | 5.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | both | View |
Is your platform 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 Inferse?
TensorFlow is ranked #1 of 30 with a score of 8.4. PyTorch is second and Caffe third.
How many of these have a free plan?
6 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 on what each maker publishes, open and connectable first: a public API, open-source code, the depth of its documentation and a free tier to try it on. Model lists are sorted by the figure in their title, exactly as each provider publishes it. Paid placements never change a rank.