Ollama vs LM Studio vs Jan: which local AI app should you use?

Comparison May 30, 2026

The three most popular ways to run AI locally, compared. Ollama for the terminal, LM Studio for a polished UI, Jan for open-source privacy — here's how to choose.

There are three apps most people reach for when running AI locally in 2026: Ollama, LM Studio, and Jan. They overlap a lot, but each has a clear personality. Here’s how to pick.

The short version

  • Ollama — a command-line tool and local server. Minimal, fast, scriptable. The default for developers.
  • LM Studio — a polished desktop app with a model browser and chat UI. The friendliest for non-technical users.
  • Jan — fully open-source, privacy-first desktop app. The pick if open-source matters to you.

All three are free, run models entirely offline, and work on Mac, Windows, and Linux.

Ollama

Ollama lives in your terminal. ollama run <model> downloads and runs a model in one line, and it exposes a local API that other apps can talk to — which is why it’s become the backend for so many tools. It has no chat UI of its own, so pair it with a front-end if you want one.

Choose Ollama if you’re comfortable with a terminal, want to script or integrate it, or want a local API for coding tools. See our 5-minute tutorial to start.

LM Studio

LM Studio is the most beginner-friendly option. It has a built-in catalog where you can search and download models with a click, a clean chat interface, and helpful indicators of what your machine can handle. It also exposes an OpenAI-compatible local server.

Choose LM Studio if you prefer a graphical app, want to discover models easily, or are just getting started.

Jan

Jan is the open-source, privacy-forward choice. It’s a desktop app similar in spirit to LM Studio but fully open-source, with local-first storage and no telemetry by default.

Choose Jan if open-source and transparency are priorities, and you still want a polished desktop experience.

Which model should you run in them?

The app is only half the equation — the model has to fit your hardware. Whichever app you pick, start with a model sized for your machine:

Browse the full model catalog to see which models run well on your device.

Bottom line

There’s no wrong answer — they all run the same models. Pick Ollama to script and integrate, LM Studio to click and explore, Jan to stay fully open-source. Then match the model to your hardware and you’re running private AI in minutes.