Quick facts
- Best for
- Personal Intelligence that answers only to you
- Pricing
- Free
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Community saves
- 91
About Jan
Jan is an open-source AI tool designed as a privacy-focused alternative to ChatGPT that runs entirely on your local device. Unlike most AI assistants that rely on cloud-based processing, Jan operates offline, ensuring that all your conversations, data, and preferences remain securely stored on your computer. This makes it particularly appealing for users who prioritize data privacy, security, and full control over their information. At its core, Jan functions as a versatile AI assistant capable of handling tasks such as writing, summarizing, coding, research, and general conversation. It supports running powerful open-source language models locally, allowing users to access advanced AI capabilities without needing an internet connection. This offline functionality is especially useful for those working in sensitive environments or situations where internet access is limited. Another key feature of Jan is its high level of customization. Users can tailor the AI experience to their needs by selecting different models, adjusting settings, and creating personalized workflows. Additionally, Jan provides an OpenAI-compatible local API server, which allows developers to integrate it into their applications as a drop-in replacement for cloud-based AI services. Although it is primarily built for offline use, Jan can optionally connect to external AI providers if users want access to more powerful cloud models. Overall, Jan is ideal for developers, privacy-conscious individuals, and anyone looking for a flexible, customizable AI assistant that runs locally without relying on subscriptions or external infrastructure. Supported featuresRun locally
Pros
- Open-source
- Operates offline
- Prioritizes privacy
- High customizability
- On-device data storage
- User-controlled data
- Exportable data
- Workflow integration
- Global hotkeys
- Public roadmap availability
- Regular updates
- Mobile version coming
Cons
- Still in development stage
- Possible bugs
- No mobile app yet
- Requires manual data deletion
- Limited community support
- Possible productivity disruption
- Offline-only operation
- Local hosting required
- Unique API compatibility needs
- Limited updates
