How to Download and Install Uncensored AI Models (CivitAI + Hugging Face 2026)
Step-by-step guide to downloading uncensored AI models from CivitAI and Hugging Face. Where to find them, which formats to pick, and how to install them in Forge, ComfyUI, or LocalForge AI.
Quick Answer
Go to CivitAI, search for a model (e.g., Juggernaut XL), download the .safetensors file, and drop it in your models/Stable-diffusion/ folder. Refresh your UI and generate. Or skip all this — LocalForge AI gives you a private offline setup with uncensored models already installed.
Where to Find Uncensored AI Models
There are two main sources for unrestricted AI models you can run locally:
CivitAI
- Largest model library (100,000+ models)
- Checkpoints, LoRAs, embeddings, VAEs
- User reviews, example images, VRAM info
- Free to download (account required)
Best for: SD 1.5, SDXL, and Pony Diffusion models
Hugging Face
- Official model hosting from creators
- Flux, SD3, and research models
- Model cards with technical details
- Free to download (some need account)
Best for: Flux models and cutting-edge architectures
7 Best Uncensored Models to Download Right Now
These are the most popular, highest-quality uncensored models available in 2026:
| Model | Arch | VRAM | Style | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juggernaut XL | SDXL | 6 GB+ | Photorealistic, detailed scenes | Most downloaded SDXL model |
| Realistic Vision v6 | SD 1.5 | 4 GB+ | Photorealistic portraits | Most downloaded SD 1.5 model |
| DreamShaper XL | SDXL | 6 GB+ | Versatile realistic + artistic | Top all-rounder |
| CyberRealistic | SD 1.5 | 4 GB+ | Highly detailed photorealism | Best for portraits |
| Pony Diffusion V6 XL | SDXL | 6 GB+ | Strong aesthetic, anime + realism | Best for stylized art |
| Flux dev | Flux | 10 GB+ | Next-gen, text rendering, composition | Best quality (high VRAM) |
| Flux schnell | Flux | 8 GB+ | Fast Flux variant, 4-step generation | Best speed-to-quality ratio |
For full rankings with example prompts, see our Top 15 Uncensored AI Models on CivitAI article.
How to Download from CivitAI (Step by Step)
Step 1: Create a Free Account
Go to civitai.com and sign up. A free account is required to download model files. You can use a throwaway email.
Step 2: Find Your Model
Use the search bar or browse by category. Filter by:
- Model type: Checkpoint (the main model), LoRA (style add-on), or Embedding
- Base model: SD 1.5 (lower VRAM), SDXL (better quality), or Pony (stylized)
- Sort by: Most downloaded or highest rated
Step 3: Download the Right File
On the model page, look for the download section. Key choices:
- File format: Always choose
.safetensors(safer than .ckpt) - Precision:
fp16for most GPUs (smaller file, same visual quality).fp32only if you have 12+ GB VRAM. - Pruned vs full: Pruned is smaller and fine for generation. Full includes training data for fine-tuning.
Step 4: Place the File
Move the downloaded file to the correct folder in your Stable Diffusion installation:
Using LocalForge AI? Same folder structure. Open the install directory and navigate to the models folder.
Step 5: Load in Your UI
In Forge/A1111: Click the refresh button next to the checkpoint dropdown, then select your new model.
In ComfyUI: The model appears automatically in the checkpoint loader node.
In LocalForge AI: Click refresh in the model dropdown — same process.
How to Download Flux Models from Hugging Face
Flux models (by Black Forest Labs) are hosted on Hugging Face, not CivitAI. The process is slightly different:
- Go to the model page (e.g.,
black-forest-labs/FLUX.1-dev) - Accept the license agreement (one-time)
- Download the
.safetensorsfile from the Files tab - Place it in your
models/Stable-diffusion/folder (Forge) ormodels/unet/folder (ComfyUI) - Flux also needs a separate text encoder and VAE — check the model card for details
Flux requires 8–12 GB VRAM. If you have a 6 GB GPU, stick with SDXL or SD 1.5 models from CivitAI.
Understanding Model Types
| Type | What It Does | Size | Folder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checkpoint | The main model — determines overall style and capability | 2–7 GB | models/Stable-diffusion/ |
| LoRA | Small add-on that modifies style, character, or concept | 10–200 MB | models/Lora/ |
| VAE | Improves color accuracy and detail sharpness | ~300 MB | models/VAE/ |
| Embedding | Trained concept you trigger with a keyword | 10–100 KB | embeddings/ |
For a deeper dive into using these together, see our LoRAs, Checkpoints & Embeddings Guide.
Bottom Line
Downloading uncensored AI models is straightforward: pick a model on CivitAI or Hugging Face, download the .safetensors file, drop it in the right folder, and refresh your UI.
If you want to skip the process entirely, LocalForge AI gives you a private offline setup with pre-loaded models ready to generate out of the box.