Jan

ChatGPT-style assistant that runs AI models offline on your own computer.

Type: Free · Open source
Monthly cost: $0
License: Apache-2.0 (GitHub shows NOASSERTION because the LICENSE file adds a Menlo Research notice header) (permissive)
Setup: One-click hosted
AI features: Generally available
Trust: Verified
Official site: https://www.jan.ai

AI capabilities

ChatGPT-style assistant that downloads and runs open models offline on the computer. It can also use cloud models (OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral, Groq...) with your own key. Includes MCP tool support and a local OpenAI-compatible API at localhost:1337.

Pricing

Free license. Hosting estimate: $0 (runs on your own computer)

Open source

Code: https://github.com/janhq/jan
GitHub stars: 45491
Latest release: 2026-10-28
Hosting: Desktop app for Mac, Windows and Linux (also on the Microsoft Store). No server or hosting needed.
Backing: Company-backed (Menlo Research). Active: v0.8.8 on 2026-10-28.
On 2026-10-29 Jan published 11 advisories at once: 2 critical (one-click RCE via malicious MCP/tool content; RCE via unsanitized Model Hub HTML), several high (CSRF on the local API proxy, path traversal, shell command injection) and some medium/low. All list fixes at or below v0.8.8, so you must be on v0.8.8 or newer. Do not bind its local API to 0.0.0.0.

Trust checks

Admin-verified listing: Pass · Reviewed by the Catervas team: links and prices checked Nov 5, 2026
License verified: Not checked · Mixed or custom license; waiting for admin review
Active maintenance: Pass · Last release or commit 2026-10-28
No open critical security advisories: Pass · No unpatched critical or high advisories found. Keep it on the latest release.
Privacy and data policy: Pass · Self-hosted: your data stays on your own hosting.
Company or foundation backing: Pass · Company-backed (Menlo Research). Active: v0.8.8 on 2026-10-28.

Problems it helps with

Data security, WISP rules and phishing risk: The simplest private AI for a non-technical owner: download, pick a model, and draft client letters, summarize documents or rewrite notes without pasting sensitive data into a public chatbot. Everything stays on the laptop.
Charting overload and after-hours notes: The simplest private AI for a non-technical owner: download, pick a model, and draft client letters, summarize documents or rewrite notes without pasting sensitive data into a public chatbot. Everything stays on the laptop.

Data as JSON: /api/tools/jan · Compare tools: /compare · llms.txt

Information, not professional advice. Rankings can't be bought.