Jan
Open-source ChatGPT alternative that runs 100% offline on your desktop
Jan AI (Homecloud) · Developer Tools
Launched 2023
Quick Answer
Jan is open-source chatgpt alternative that runs 100% offline on your desktop, made by Jan AI (Homecloud). It is free and open source. Key uses: Fully private local AI chat, Offline coding assistant, Air-gapped enterprise AI.
Last updated:
Users
22K+ GitHub stars; 1M+ downloads
What is Jan?
Jan is an open-source desktop application that runs large language models entirely locally on your Mac, Windows, or Linux machine — no cloud, no API key, no data leaving your device. It provides a polished ChatGPT-like chat interface, a built-in model hub for one-click downloads (GGUF models from Hugging Face), a local OpenAI-compatible server, and supports GPU acceleration via NVIDIA CUDA, Apple Metal, and AMD ROCm.
What's new in Jan in 2026?
Jan 0.5.x (2025): redesigned model hub, multi-model support, remote server mode, extensions marketplace; 22K+ GitHub stars; 1M+ downloads; Jan Cortex engine for multi-GPU batching
How much does Jan cost?
Free / Open-Source
$0
- Full desktop app
- All GGUF models
- Local OpenAI API server
- GPU acceleration
- MIT license
What can you do with Jan?
- Fully private local AI chat
- Offline coding assistant
- Air-gapped enterprise AI
- Local OpenAI API server
- Running open models without cloud
Pros
- 100% local — zero data leaves device
- Polished UI comparable to ChatGPT
- Built-in model hub (one-click downloads)
- OpenAI-compatible API server built-in
- Multi-GPU and Apple Metal support
- MIT-licensed open-source
Cons
- Requires capable local hardware (RAM/VRAM)
- Fewer integrations than LM Studio
- Smaller ecosystem vs Ollama
- No cloud fallback
What are the best alternatives to Jan?
Compare Jan Head-to-Head
Frequently Asked Questions about Jan
How much does Jan cost?
Jan pricing: Free / Open-Source at $0.
Is Jan free?
Yes, Jan is fully free and open source.
What is Jan used for?
Jan is used for: Fully private local AI chat, Offline coding assistant, Air-gapped enterprise AI, Local OpenAI API server, Running open models without cloud.
What are the best alternatives to Jan?
Top alternatives to Jan include Ollama, vLLM, LM Studio.
What platforms does Jan support?
Jan is available on: macOS (Apple Silicon & Intel), Windows, Linux.
Details
Underlying Models
Platforms
Integrations
Ideal For
- Privacy-first developers
- Offline/air-gapped environments
- Open-source AI enthusiasts
- Non-technical users wanting local AI
- Enterprises avoiding cloud data exposure