Chat with a local model
A conversation like in ChatGPT, but the AI runs on your computer. The history stays on your disk, and everything works offline once the model is downloaded.
AI tools · On your computer
Jan pricing, use cases, and first steps
Jan is a free desktop app whose code is open to everyone. It looks like ChatGPT, but the AI runs on your machine: your text doesn’t need to go over the internet. On first launch, Jan downloads a first model on its own, and you can start chatting right away.
Jan has a free plan. The recommended plan to start with: Jan, free. Prices checked on October 3, 2026 on the vendor’s official page.
JanA free, open ChatGPT, installed on your computer- Vendor
- Menlo Research (United States)
- Free plan
- Yes
- Recommended plan
- Jan, free
- Page checked on
- October 3, 2026
What Jan does
Who it’s for: people who want a private assistant without paying anything, and who prefer a simple app to typing commands.
Attach a document
You attach a PDF or a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file and ask your questions about it. With a local model, the file stays on your machine.
The “Hub”: choose other models
A built-in catalog for downloading other models. For each one, a badge shows whether it suits your computer, is likely to be slow, or is too big.
Also
- Connect an online assistant with your key
- Search the web
- Organize by project
- Custom assistants
- “Cowork”: hand it a task (in testing)
Jan pricing
The vendor doesn’t publish a price list: the site only says “Free & Open source.”
| Plan | Price | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Jan Recommended to start | Free | Everyone |
What the free plan includes
Everything. Jan is free and its code is open. There is no subscription and no paid version of the app.
Nova’s advice
There is nothing to pay. The only possible cost comes from online services you might connect with your own key: they are the ones that bill you, as you go. To start, stay on the local model.
A first try, in 10 minutes
Your data. With a local model, your conversations are stored on your computer and don’t leave it.
What it does less well
- A local model is still not as good as ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini: more errors, less nuance on long requests.
- Answers are slower, and everything depends on your computer. With less than 8 GB of memory, don’t count on it.
Have an email rewritten, Wi-Fi offJan- Open Jan and wait for the starter model to finish downloading.
- Turn off your computer’s Wi-Fi.
- Paste an email you need to send, followed by the prompt below.
- Read the two versions offered and keep the better one.
- Reread before sending: a local model lets more errors through than an online assistant.
The prompt to copy
Rewrite this email in English. Keep all the information, make the tone clearer and more courteous. Offer two versions: a short one and a more detailed one.
Alternatives to Jan
LM Studio
More settings and a very rich model catalog, with an interface in French.
Ollama
The most widespread, handy if a few commands don’t scare you.
Msty
To compare local models and online models in the same window.
Duck.ai
Discretion without installing anything: an online assistant with no account.
ChatGPT
If confidentiality isn’t at stake, an online assistant does clearly better.
Frequently asked questions about Jan
How much does Jan cost?
Jan: free. Prices checked on October 3, 2026 on the vendor’s official page.
Can you use Jan for free?
Yes. Everything. Jan is free and its code is open. There is no subscription and no paid version of the app.
What happens to my data with Jan?
With a local model, your conversations are stored on your computer and don’t leave it.
What are the alternatives to Jan?
LM Studio: More settings and a very rich model catalog, with an interface in French. Ollama: The most widespread, handy if a few commands don’t scare you. Msty: To compare local models and online models in the same window. Duck.ai: Discretion without installing anything: an online assistant with no account. ChatGPT: If confidentiality isn’t at stake, an online assistant does clearly better.
Official pages consulted
Page checked on October 3, 2026. Brands are named to identify the tools. No affiliation.