Jan

Jan is a free, open-source desktop chat app that gives individuals a ChatGPT-style experience using models they control. You can run an open model entirely on your own computer, or connect a hosted model from a major provider with your own API key, and switch between them in the same window. Its identity is simplicity plus ownership: no account, no subscription, Apache 2.0 code you can inspect, and chats stored locally.

What is Jan used for?

Jan is mostly used as a private daily assistant and as a way to compare local and cloud models side by side without juggling several apps.

• Downloading and chatting with open models offline on macOS, Windows or Linux
• Using OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Mistral, DeepSeek, Qwen or Kimi models through your own API keys
• Keeping all conversations on your device instead of a vendor's servers
• Running Jan Agent for task-style work alongside normal chat
• Trying Menlo Research's own small open models published on Hugging Face

Who Jan is best for

Jan suits privacy-conscious professionals, developers who already hold API keys and want one clean interface, students on decent laptops, and open-source fans who prefer software they can audit. It is also a good fit for people who want to avoid another monthly subscription and pay providers only for what they use. Teams that need shared workspaces, admin controls or single sign-on should look at a self-hosted platform or an enterprise assistant instead.

Jan pricing

Jan is free. The desktop app and the source code cost nothing and there is no paid tier listed on the official site as of October 2026. Running local models has no usage cost beyond your own electricity and hardware. If you connect cloud models, you pay those providers directly at their API rates, so your cost depends on how heavily you use models such as GPT or Claude.

Limitations to keep in mind

• Local model quality is limited by your computer's memory and GPU
• Using cloud models means managing API keys and separate bills for each provider
• Cross-conversation memory was still marked as coming soon in October 2026
• There is no built-in team sharing or central administration

Jan vs alternatives

ChatGPT and Claude are the better choice if you want a finished assistant with voice, browsing, memory and mobile apps without managing keys. DeepSeek offers a strong free hosted chatbot if cost is the main concern and local privacy is not. Together Chat is a quick way to try large open models in the browser. Jan wins for people who want a free, auditable app that keeps chats on their own device and lets them mix local and cloud models freely.

Tips for getting started with Jan

Download a small open model first to confirm your machine runs it comfortably, then add a larger one if speed allows. If you plan to use cloud models, set spending limits in each provider's dashboard before adding the keys to Jan. Keep Jan updated, since the project ships new releases often and model support improves with them.

Jan FAQ

Is Jan free?

Yes. Jan is free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license. You only pay if you connect a cloud provider's API, and that bill comes from the provider.

Does Jan work offline?

Yes. After you download a local model, Jan can run conversations completely offline on macOS, Windows or Linux.

Is Jan safe to use with private data?

Jan stores chats on your device, and local models never send prompts off your machine. If you connect a cloud model, those prompts go to that provider under its own terms.

What is the best alternative to Jan?

ChatGPT is the most common alternative for a hosted assistant, while Together Chat is a simple browser option for trying open models without installing anything.