Jan
Open-source ChatGPT-style desktop app that runs 100% offline.
- Stars
- 45K
- Forks
- 3.1K
- Open issues
- 579
- Last commit
- 2026-10-15
Live from the GitHub API · updated 2026-10-15
What is Jan?
Jan is a desktop app for chatting with local models (powered by llama.cpp) or remote APIs. It includes a model hub, a local OpenAI-compatible API server and extensions — an open-source alternative to LM Studio.
Key features
- Offline chat with local models
- Model hub with one-click downloads
- Local OpenAI-compatible API server
- Optional remote providers
System requirements
- Platforms
- Windows · macOS · Linux
- RAM
- 8 GB minimum, 16 GB+ recommended
How to install Jan
Summarized from the project’s README. Projects change quickly — check the GitHub page for the latest instructions.
Desktop app
- 1Download Jan for your OS from jan.ai or GitHub Releases and install it.
- 2Open the Hub, download a model and start chatting.
Strengths
- Polished, fully open-source UI
- Private by default
Limitations
- Fewer advanced settings than LM Studio
Jan alternatives compared
| Software | Stars | License | Platforms | VRAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan Open-source ChatGPT-style desktop app that runs 100% offline. | 45K | AGPL-3.0 | — | |
| GPT4All Private, on-device chat with local document Q&A. | 77.4K | MIT | — | |
| Ollama Get up and running with large language models locally. | 183.2K | MIT | — | |
| AnythingLLM All-in-one desktop and Docker app for private document chat and agents. | 67.1K | MIT | — | |
| Open WebUI Self-hosted ChatGPT-style interface for Ollama and OpenAI-compatible APIs. | 155.7K | Open WebUI License (BSD-3-Clause based) | — | |
| llama.cpp LLM inference in C/C++ — the engine behind most local AI apps. | 131.2K | MIT | — |
FAQ
Is Jan free?
Yes — Jan is open-source software released under the AGPL-3.0 license. Check the license (and any model weight licenses) before commercial use.
Does Jan run on Windows, Mac and Linux?
Jan supports: Windows, macOS, Linux.
What hardware do I need for Jan?
RAM: 8 GB minimum, 16 GB+ recommended
How do I install Jan?
1. Download Jan for your OS from jan.ai or GitHub Releases and install it. 2. Open the Hub, download a model and start chatting.
What are the best Jan alternatives?
Popular alternatives include GPT4All, Ollama, AnythingLLM, Open WebUI. See the comparison table on this page.