Try Jan
Overview
Jan is an open-source desktop assistant built on a simple premise: you should be able to read the code of the software you trust with your private conversations. It runs language models entirely on your machine, works with the network cable unplugged, and ships under an open licence — which makes it the natural pick for anyone whose interest in local AI is driven by verifiable privacy rather than convenience.
The interface deliberately resembles the hosted assistants people already know, which lowers the adoption barrier for non-technical colleagues who need a private assistant but have no interest in learning a new paradigm. Underneath, it is more flexible than it looks: an extension system, support for multiple inference backends, and the option to connect to remote APIs when you explicitly want to, rather than by default.
Compared with LM Studio, Jan is less polished and more auditable. The model discovery experience and hardware guidance are weaker, the community is smaller, and you will occasionally meet rough edges. In exchange, nothing about it is a black box. For a security-conscious user that is not a close call.
Key Features
Fully Open Source
Source is public and auditable, which is the entire argument for using it over a closed alternative on a privacy-motivated workflow.
Genuinely Offline
Runs with no network connection at all. Nothing is sent anywhere unless you deliberately configure a remote provider.
Familiar Assistant Interface
Deliberately resembles hosted chat assistants, which matters when rolling out a private assistant to colleagues who did not ask for a new tool.
Extension System
Extensible architecture for adding capabilities and backends rather than being a fixed single-purpose app.
Optional Remote Providers
Can connect to hosted APIs when you want frontier quality, as an explicit choice rather than a silent default.
Multiple Inference Backends
Supports different local engines under the hood, so it adapts to what your hardware does best.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- Open source, so the privacy claims are verifiable rather than promised
- Works fully offline including on air-gapped machines
- Free with no account and no commercial licensing questions
- Interface familiar enough to deploy to non-technical users
- Optional remote providers give an escape hatch when you need frontier quality
Disadvantages
- Less polished than LM Studio
- Weaker model discovery and hardware guidance
- Smaller community, so fewer answers when something breaks
- Same hardware ceiling as every local tool
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | Free | Full open-source application, unlimited local use |
Best Use Cases
Jan Excels At:
- Security and privacy work where auditability is a requirement
- Air-gapped and offline environments
- Organisations that must avoid closed-source software on sensitive workflows
- Giving non-technical staff a private assistant
May Not Be Ideal For:
- Users who want the smoothest possible first-run experience
- Low-spec machines without GPU acceleration
- Teams needing multi-user serving infrastructure
How It Compares
Jan vs LM Studio
LM Studio is more polished with better hardware guidance; Jan is open source. If you are choosing a local assistant because you do not want to trust a vendor, choosing a closed-source app to do it is an odd position — which is Jan's whole case.
Jan vs Open WebUI
Jan is a desktop application for one person. Open WebUI is a self-hosted server for a team. Different deployment shapes for the same underlying privacy motivation.
Final Verdict
Our Recommendation
Jan is the local assistant to pick when the reason you want local is verifiable privacy rather than convenience. Open source, genuinely offline, free, and familiar enough that you can hand it to a colleague without a training session. It is rougher than LM Studio and the community is smaller, so expect to solve the occasional problem yourself. For security teams, journalists, legal work and anyone in a regulated environment, that trade is obviously worth making.