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Best free tools to run AI models locally (2026)
9 of the 9 tools to run AI models locally we rank have a free plan, free tier or free open-source release. In our ranking order, the best free option is Ollama (#1), followed by LM Studio (#2) and Open WebUI (#3).
The 9 free options, in ranking order
From each tool's own pricing page- #1 Ollama
- Free plan: Free to run models locally. Cloud models are pay as you go per token, with no subscription.Source: ollama.com, checked Our verdict: Simplest way to run open models locally from the command line, with an API.
- #2 LM Studio
- Free plan: Free at $0 to run local models with llama.cpp and MLX, including the Bionic agent.Source: lmstudio.ai, checked Our verdict: Desktop app to download, chat with and serve local models; very beginner friendly.
- #3 Open WebUI
- Free plan: Free to self-host under the Open WebUI License, which keeps Open WebUI branding.Source: github.com, checked Our verdict: Self-hosted AI chat interface for Ollama and any OpenAI-compatible model; free, with an enterprise plan.
- #4 AnythingLLM
- Free plan: The desktop app is free, and self-hosting with Docker is free. Hosted plans are paid.Source: anythingllm.com, checked Our verdict: Free private AI assistant that runs on your device with RAG and agents; cloud hosting from $50 a month.
- #5 Jan
- Free plan: Free and open source under the Apache License 2.0.Source: github.com, checked Our verdict: Open-source, offline ChatGPT-style desktop app for local models.
- #6 llama.cpp
- Free plan: Free and open source under the MIT License.Source: github.com, checked Our verdict: The fast open-source inference engine many local tools build on.
- #7 Local Code
- Free plan: On-device use costs $0 per token, and you can bring your own API keys at no markup.Source: getlocalcode.app, checked Our verdict: Draw Things' free, open-source (GPL-3.0) agent app for Mac, iPad and iPhone that runs Qwen and DeepSeek models on device, with Python, Node.js and a shell built in and sandboxed. Works offline. Big models need a lot of RAM and disk, and it is Apple only.
- #8 Llama app
- Free plan: Free, open source and works offline.Source: llama.app, checked Our verdict: Free, open-source menu bar and tray app from the llama.cpp team and Hugging Face. One click downloads a recommended model and serves it on a local OpenAI- and Anthropic-compatible API. The easiest way to use llama.cpp without a terminal.
- #9 Prospero
- Free plan: Open source on GitHub. The itch.io builds are the paid Professional Edition, from $25.Source: skeeto.itch.io, checked Our verdict: Native desktop coding harness from Chris Wellons for Windows, macOS and Linux that drives your computer through any OpenAI-compatible or Anthropic API, including llama.cpp and vLLM. Free Community Edition on GitHub; $25 Professional Edition adds remote headless engines. Very new and you configure providers yourself.
Ranks are from our full ranking of run models locally (9 tools). Ranked tools not listed have no ongoing free plan on their pricing page or our fact sheet. Free plans change often, so check the official page before you rely on one. Nothing on this page is sponsored.
Questions
Frequently asked
What is the best free tool to run AI models locally?
Ollama, ranked #1 of 9. Its free option: Free to run models locally. Cloud models are pay as you go per token, with no subscription. Source: https://ollama.com/pricing, checked 2026-11-10.
Which run models locally tools are free?
Ollama (#1), LM Studio (#2), Open WebUI (#3), AnythingLLM (#4), Jan (#5), llama.cpp (#6), Local Code (#7), Llama app (#8), Prospero (#9).
How did you check the free plans?
We opened each tool's own pricing page or repository on Nov 10, 2026 and wrote down what the free option includes. Tools whose only free option is a trial or a one-time signup credit, or whose pricing page did not load for us, are left out.
Is the order the same as the full ranking?
Yes. Tools appear in the same order as our full ranking of run models locally, which is based on how well each tool does the job, not on price.
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