Run LLMs Locally
Download, run, and manage AI models on your own machine — model runners and chat UIs, mostly free and open source.
alternatives (6)
★ Ollama
Best for: The easiest way to run local models
Run open models locally with a single command; simple CLI and an OpenAI-compatible API.
- +Dead-simple CLI
- +OpenAI-compatible API
- +Big model library
- −CLI-first
LM Studio
Best for: A GUI with a local server
Desktop app to discover, download, and chat with local models, with a built-in local server.
- +Friendly GUI
- +Local OpenAI-compatible server
- +Model browser
- −Not open source
Open WebUI
Best for: A self-hosted chat UI
Self-hosted, ChatGPT-style web UI that connects to Ollama or any OpenAI-compatible API.
- +Polished chat UI
- +Multi-user
- +Works with Ollama
- −You host it
ComfyUI
Best for: Local image-gen workflows
Node-based UI for building image-generation (Stable Diffusion) and media workflows locally.
- +Powerful node graph
- +Highly customizable
- −Steeper learning curve
Jan
Best for: An offline ChatGPT
Open-source, offline ChatGPT alternative that runs models fully on your device.
- +Fully offline
- +Open source
- +Simple app
- −Smaller ecosystem
Can I Run AI
Best for: Checking your hardware first
Check whether your hardware can actually run a given model before you download it — pick the right size.
- +Quick hardware check
- +Helps pick model size
- +Saves failed downloads
- −Estimates
- −not guarantees
Compare
Tick the ones you want to compare
| Alternative | Type | Best for | Open source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★Ollama | Model runner (CLI) | Quick local models | Yes |
| LM Studio | Desktop app | GUI + local API | No |
| Open WebUI | Web UI | Self-hosted chat | Yes |
| ComfyUI | Node UI (images) | Image-gen pipelines | Yes |
| Jan | Desktop app | Offline private chat | Yes |
| Can I Run AI | Hardware checker | Before you download | No |
Want to run models on your own machine — for privacy, cost, or offline use? Start with Ollama to pull and run models from the terminal, LM Studio if you prefer a GUI, Open WebUI for a self-hosted ChatGPT-style interface, ComfyUI for image-generation workflows, or Jan for a fully offline desktop app. Not sure your machine can handle a model? Check Can I Run AI first. Compare by form factor and openness.