Ollama
A tool for downloading and running open AI language models on your own computer.
185k GitHub stars · MIT · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Open-source and self-hosted alternatives to ChatGPT
Chat interfaces you host, or that run models on your own computer. Answer quality depends on which model you connect, not just the app.
Category: AI assistants · GitHub data as of Oct 29, 2026 · FAQ · Cost & self-hosting
| Project | What it is | License | GitHub stars | Last release | Runs as | Hosted plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ollama Active MIT | A tool for downloading and running open AI language models on your own computer. | MIT | 185k | Oct 29, 2026 | Desktop app | Not confirmed |
| LobeHub Active Mixed or custom | An AI chat and agent workspace (formerly LobeChat) that connects to many AI model providers. | Mixed or custom | 83.6k | Oct 29, 2026 | Self-hosted web app | Yes, from the project |
| LibreChat Active MIT | A ChatGPT-style chat interface that works with many AI providers and local models, with agents, file uploads and search. | MIT | 46.5k | Oct 26, 2026 | Self-hosted web app | Not confirmed |
| Jan Active Mixed or custom | Jan is an open source alternative to ChatGPT that runs 100% offline on your computer. | Mixed or custom | 45.2k | Oct 28, 2026 | Desktop app | Not confirmed |
Are they still maintained?
4 of 4 ChatGPT alternatives here had a code push or release in the last 180 days (checked Oct 29, 2026).
- Ollama: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- LobeHub: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- LibreChat: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- Jan: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
See every project in the "Is it still maintained?" tracker →
What switching from ChatGPT costs
ChatGPT: current plans and prices are on ChatGPT's pricing page.
| Alternative | How you run it | Software cost | What you pay for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ollama | Desktop app | $0 (MIT) | Nothing to host. Install it on your own device. |
| LobeHub | Your server, or the project's hosted plan | $0 (Mixed or custom, check terms) | A server you rent (or own), or the project's paid hosted plan. |
| LibreChat | Your server | $0 (MIT) | A server you rent or own, plus your time for updates and backups. |
| Jan | Desktop app | $0 (Mixed or custom, check terms) | Nothing to host. Install it on your own device. |
Self-hosting basics: LobeHub and LibreChat need a server, which can be a small cloud server or a spare machine at home. For a sense of scale, DigitalOcean's price list shows a 1 GiB server at $6/month and 2 GiB at $12/month (checked Oct 29, 2026). Check each project's documented requirements before choosing a size, and budget time for updates and backups.
Don't want to run a server? LobeHub offers a hosted plan run by the project itself. Prices change, so check each project's site.
Nothing to host: Ollama and Jan run on your own computer.
License check: LobeHub and Jan do not use a single standard open-source license that GitHub can detect. Read the license before using them in a business.
The options in more detail
LobeHub
An AI chat and agent workspace (formerly LobeChat) that connects to many AI model providers.
83.6k GitHub stars · Mixed or custom · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
LibreChat
A ChatGPT-style chat interface that works with many AI providers and local models, with agents, file uploads and search.
46.5k GitHub stars · MIT · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Jan
Jan is an open source alternative to ChatGPT that runs 100% offline on your computer.
45.2k GitHub stars · Mixed or custom · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
ChatGPT alternatives: common questions
What is the best open-source alternative to ChatGPT?
It depends on how you use ChatGPT. Of the 4 options here, Ollama is the most followed on GitHub (185k stars) and is actively maintained, with its latest release on Oct 29, 2026. If you want an app on your own computer, look at Ollama and Jan. If you need something your whole team can log into, look at LobeHub and LibreChat.
Is there a self-hosted ChatGPT alternative?
Yes. LobeHub and LibreChat run on a server you control, so your data stays with you. If you'd rather not run a server, LobeHub also offers a hosted plan from the people who make it.
Is there a free alternative to ChatGPT?
Yes. Every project on this page can be downloaded and used at no cost from its public repository. Ollama and Jan install on your own device, so they cost nothing to run. Server apps are free software, but you pay for the server they run on. Check the license of LobeHub and Jan before using them in a business.
Are these ChatGPT alternatives still maintained?
As of Oct 29, 2026, 4 of 4 had a code push or release in the last 180 days. None are flagged as inactive or archived. We re-check every project weekly.
How much does it cost to switch from ChatGPT?
The software itself is free. Desktop and device apps (Ollama and Jan) cost nothing to run. For server apps, the main cost is hosting: as a reference point, DigitalOcean lists a 1 GiB server at $6/month and a 2 GiB server at $12/month (checked Oct 29, 2026). Check each project's documented requirements before choosing a size. The hidden cost is time: moving your data and, for self-hosted apps, keeping up with updates and backups.
Are all of these really open source?
Not all under a standard license. LobeHub: GitHub could not identify a single standard license for this repository (often a mix of open-source and commercial parts). Read the LICENSE file before using it. Jan: GitHub could not identify a single standard license for this repository (often a mix of open-source and commercial parts). Read the LICENSE file before using it. The others use OSI-approved open-source licenses.
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