Jan
Open-source ChatGPT alternative that runs 100% offline on your computer
About Jan
Jan is a free, open-source AI chat application that lets you run large language models locally on your desktop. It supports offline AI conversations with complete data privacy, while also offering cloud model integrations with GPT-4, Claude, and other providers through a single unified interface.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Complete data privacy with fully offline local AI processing
- Free and open source under AGPLv3 license with no API costs for local models
- Polished and intuitive UI accessible to non-technical users
- Seamlessly switch between local and cloud models in one interface
- OpenAI-compatible local API server for developer integrations
- Active development with regular updates and growing model library
Cons
- Running larger LLMs locally requires significant RAM and GPU resources
- Users with older or less powerful hardware are limited to smaller models
- Some technical knowledge needed for advanced configurations and integrations
- Past security vulnerabilities discovered in early 2025 backend engine
Key Features
100% Offline AI Chat
Run LLMs entirely on your local machine with no internet required after model download
Multi-Model Support
Download and run models like Llama 3, Qwen 3, Mistral, and more from HuggingFace
Cloud Model Integration
Connect to OpenAI GPT-4, Anthropic Claude, Groq, and other cloud AI providers
OpenAI-Compatible Local API
One-click local API server compatible with OpenAI's API format for developer integrations
Cross-Platform Desktop App
Native applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux with polished, intuitive UI
Extension System
VSCode-like extension architecture for adding custom functionality and integrations
Model Context Protocol (MCP)
Support for agentic capabilities through Model Context Protocol integration
Jan Server
Kubernetes-native platform for deploying private AI infrastructure on-premise or in your own cloud
Pricing
- Local AI models
- Offline chat
- OpenAI-compatible API
- Community support
- All desktop platforms
- Everything in Free
- Cloud sync
- Team collaboration
- Priority support
- Everything in Pro
- SSO integration
- Dedicated support
- On-premise deployment
- Custom SLAs
Best For
Private AI Conversations
Use AI chat without sending any data to external servers, ideal for handling sensitive business or personal information
Local AI Development
Set up a local OpenAI-compatible API server for testing and developing AI-powered applications without cloud costs
Offline AI Access
Run AI assistants in air-gapped environments or locations without reliable internet connectivity
Enterprise Private AI
Deploy private AI infrastructure on-premise using Jan Server for organization-wide secure AI access
AI Model Experimentation
Download and compare different open-source LLMs to find the best model for specific tasks
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Featured In
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Best for individual users who want the simplest possible path to private, offline AI chat — one-click install and zero technical knowledge required
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Best local AI option for non-technical users who want ChatGPT-level usability with Ollama-level privacy — the friendly face of offline AI.