Jan
Open-source desktop chat app that runs local models, including Jan's own, and can also connect to cloud providers with your API key.
- Free plan
- Verified free plan
- Paid from
- Not yet confirmed
- Known for
- Jan Models, Cowork (Preview), Projects
- Facts last checked
- 2026-10-11
What makes Jan different
Open-source desktop chat app for local and cloud models
01
Jan Models
Jan's own small models, such as Jan-v1 and Jan Nano, built to run on a personal computer.
Use it for: Reasoning and research tasks on a laptop without a cloud account.
How to start
- Install Jan and launch it
- Wait while Jan downloads its default foundation model on first launch
- Type your message and start chatting
No plan limit statedjan.aichecked 2026-10-1102
Cowork (Preview)
Preview, nightly builds only: works through a task in steps, reading and writing files and running commands.
Use it for: Multi-step jobs on a project folder, such as building a file.
How to start
- Download the Jan nightly build
- Click Cowork in the left sidebar, then New session
- Select a model and attach a project folder if needed
- Describe your task
No plan limit statedjan.aichecked 2026-10-1103
Projects
Groups conversations with one assigned assistant and shared files such as PDFs and Office documents.
Use it for: Keeping work on one topic together with its documents.
How to start
- Press ⌘ P or click New Projects in the left sidebar
- Name your project
- Click Add in the Files panel to upload files
- Start a conversation
No plan limit statedjan.aichecked 2026-10-1104
Hub
Browse and download local models; each shows whether it fits your hardware.
Use it for: Picking a model your computer can run comfortably.
How to start
- Open the Hub from the left sidebar
- Browse or search for a model, then click Download
- Select it from the model selector in any chat
No plan limit statedjan.aichecked 2026-10-1105
Local API Server
OpenAI-compatible server on your computer, by default at 127.0.0.1:1337, for other apps to call.
Use it for: Pointing your own scripts or tools at local models.
How to start
- Navigate to Settings > Local API Server
- Click Start Server
- Send requests to http://127.0.0.1:1337/v1
No plan limit statedjan.aichecked 2026-10-11
Privacy and your data
What happens to what you type, upload or make, from the provider's privacy and terms pages. Business plans often differ; the plan is named under each answer.
- Use at workWhether the app may be used at work or in a company, as its licence or terms state.
- Not yet confirmed
Cost
- Free planA free plan that is not time-limited. Trials are listed separately.
- Supportedjan.aichecked 2026-10-11
Free plan
Plans
Free
Free plan
- $0.00 / month
All features7 questions, each with its source and the date we checked it
AI models
- AI modelsThe AI models the official pages name for this product. Line-ups change often, so check the date.
- Jan-v1, Llama, Gemma, Qwen, GPT-ossjan.ai +1checked 2026-10-11
Input and output
- Chat windowComes with a desktop chat window, not only a command line.
- Supportedjan.aichecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
Workflow
- Local APIServes models through an API on your computer that other apps can use.
- Supportedjan.aichecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
Requirements
- Operating systemsmacOS, Windows or Linux, as officially supported.
- macOS, Windows, Linuxjan.aichecked 2026-10-11
- Open sourceThe tool's own code is published under an open-source licence.
- Supportedgithub.comchecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
- Works offlineRuns without an internet connection once a model is downloaded.
- Supportedjan.aichecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
- HardwareWhat computer it needs or supports, such as memory or graphics cards, as officially stated.
- Macs need Apple silicon; Intel-based Macs are not supported. Windows: 8 GB memory minimum (16 GB recommended); NVIDIA, AMD or Intel Arc graphics need at least 6 GB of video memory.jan.ai +1checked 2026-10-11