Run AI Locally

Local AI Tools

Run LLMs on your own hardware. Zero API costs, full privacy, works offline. Compare the best tools for local AI development.

🔒

Privacy

Your data never leaves your machine. No API calls, no logging, no third parties.

💰

Zero Cost

No API fees. Run unlimited queries. Only cost is your hardware electricity.

✈️

Offline

Works without internet. Code on a plane, in a bunker, anywhere.

Quick Comparison

Tool Type Min RAM GPU OS License
Ollama Model Runner 8 GB Optional (Metal/CUDA) macOS, Linux, Windows MIT
LM Studio Desktop App 8 GB Optional (Metal/CUDA/Vulkan) macOS, Linux, Windows Proprietary (free)
Open WebUI Web Interface 4 GB (+ model RAM) Via backend (Ollama) Docker (any OS) MIT
GPT4All Desktop App 8 GB Optional (Vulkan) macOS, Linux, Windows MIT
Jan Desktop App 8 GB Optional (CUDA/Vulkan) macOS, Linux, Windows AGPL-3.0
LocalAI API Server 4 GB Optional (CUDA) Docker (any OS) MIT

Tool Details

Ollama

Model Runner • MIT
Download →

Run open-source LLMs locally with one command. Supports Llama 3, Mistral, Gemma, Phi, CodeLlama, and 100+ models.

Models

Llama 3.3, Mistral, Gemma 2, Phi-4, Qwen 2.5, DeepSeek

Min RAM

8 GB

Recommended

16-32 GB

GPU

Optional (Metal/CUDA)

LM Studio

Desktop App • Proprietary (free)
Download →

Desktop app to discover, download, and run local LLMs. Beautiful GUI, OpenAI-compatible API server, GGUF model support.

Models

Any GGUF model from HuggingFace

Min RAM

8 GB

Recommended

16-64 GB

GPU

Optional (Metal/CUDA/Vulkan)

Open WebUI

Web Interface • MIT
Download →

Self-hosted ChatGPT-like interface for local models. Supports Ollama and OpenAI-compatible APIs. RAG, tools, multi-user.

Models

Via Ollama or any OpenAI-compatible API

Min RAM

4 GB (+ model RAM)

Recommended

16 GB

GPU

Via backend (Ollama)

GPT4All

Desktop App • MIT
Download →

Nomic's desktop app for running LLMs locally. Focus on privacy and ease of use. LocalDocs for chatting with your files.

Models

Llama, Mistral, Falcon, custom GGUF

Min RAM

8 GB

Recommended

16 GB

GPU

Optional (Vulkan)

Jan

Desktop App • AGPL-3.0
Download →

Open-source ChatGPT alternative that runs 100% offline. Clean UI, model hub, extensions, OpenAI-compatible API.

Models

Llama, Mistral, Gemma, any GGUF

Min RAM

8 GB

Recommended

16 GB

GPU

Optional (CUDA/Vulkan)

LocalAI

API Server • MIT
Download →

Drop-in OpenAI API replacement. Run LLMs, generate images, transcribe audio — all locally. Docker-first, no GPU required.

Models

GGUF, Diffusers, Whisper, BERT

Min RAM

4 GB

Recommended

16 GB

GPU

Optional (CUDA)

Hardware Guide

💻

MacBook Air M1/M2 (8 GB)

Run 7B models (Llama 3.2, Mistral 7B). Good for coding assistance and chat. Slow for 13B+.

🖥️

MacBook Pro M3/M4 (16-32 GB)

Run 13B-34B models comfortably. Fast inference with Metal GPU. Sweet spot for most developers.

🎮

PC with RTX 4090 (24 GB VRAM)

Run 70B models quantized. Fastest inference. Best for heavy local AI workloads.

🏢

Mac Studio M2 Ultra (64-192 GB)

Run 70B+ models at full precision. Multiple models simultaneously. The local AI workstation.

Quick Start: 2 Minutes to Local AI

# Install Ollama
curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh | sh
# Pull a model
ollama pull llama3.2
# Chat
ollama run llama3.2
# Use with Aider for AI coding
aider --model ollama/llama3.2