Jan

Open-source alternative to ChatGPT for offline use on your computer.

GrowingOpen SourceLow lock-in

Pricing

Free tier

Flat rate

Adoption

Rising

License

Open Source

Data freshness

Verified · Jul 16, 2026

Overview

What is Jan?

Jan is an open source language model that allows users to run a full-featured AI assistant locally, without internet connectivity. It's designed for developers and enthusiasts who need a powerful AI tool but prefer or require local execution.

Key differentiator

Jan stands out as a fully local, open-source alternative for those needing AI capabilities without relying on cloud services, offering unparalleled privacy and control over data.

Capability profile

Capability Radar

Ease of StartEcosystemValueMaturityFlexibilityScale Ready

Honest assessment

Strengths & Weaknesses

↑ Strengths

Runs entirely offline on your local machine.medium

Open-source and customizable for developers.medium

No internet required, ensuring privacy and security.medium

↓ Weaknesses

Steep learning curve for non-Python developershigh

API requires Python-specific patterns, TypeScript SDK is community-maintained

Frequent breaking changes between versionsmedium

v0.1 to v0.2 migration required rewriting chain definitions

Limited integrations with other tools and platformshigh

Community contributions are sparse, leading to fewer plugins or connectors available compared to more established frameworks.

Resource-intensive for local executionmedium

Running Jan locally can consume significant CPU and memory resources, potentially impacting performance on less powerful machines.

Fit analysis

Who is it for?

✓ Best for

Teams working in environments with limited or no internet connectivity.

Developers interested in experimenting with AI locally without cloud dependencies.

Users concerned about privacy and data security who prefer offline solutions.

✕ Not a fit for

Projects requiring real-time updates from the latest models.

Applications that need to scale across multiple devices or environments.

Cost structure

Pricing

Free Tier

Available

Open source — free to use

Starts at

$0

Model

Flat rate

Enterprise

None

Performance benchmarks

How Fast Is It?

Ecosystem

Relationships

Next step

Get Started with Jan

Step-by-step setup guide with code examples and common gotchas.

View Setup Guide →