PUBLISHED TERMS · SIDE BY SIDE
Ollama vs LM Studio vs Jan: local access and practical limits
Local AI begins with the machine and model you intend to use. Compare the software experience alongside hardware requirements, model licensing and any optional remote services; a free application does not make every model or connected service free.
Questions to settle before choosing
Can the model run on your machine?
Check the provider’s system requirements and the chosen model’s storage and memory needs. This page does not benchmark speed or establish hardware compatibility.
Which parts of the workflow stay local?
Review model downloads, remote providers, connected tools and optional cloud features separately. Configure the workflow you intend to use rather than assuming every feature operates offline.
Which license covers your use?
The application and its downloaded models may have different terms. Check the model license before relying on it for commercial work.
Compare the plan details
| Plan detail | Ollama | LM Studio | Jan.ai |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access type | Free local software | Free local software | Free local software |
| Free allowance | Unlimited local inference on your hardware; optional cloud starter credits and paid usage are separate. | Free local models, Bionic Agent, offline transcription, limited web search, and LM Link for five devices. | Free local inference after downloading a model; no cloud account or per-prompt usage fee is required. |
| Downloads on free | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Watermark on free | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Commercial use on free | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Credit card required | No | No | No |
| Published paid-plan terms | Optional Pro cloud plan: $20 monthly, or $200 annually, with $60 in monthly usage credits. | Optional Bionic+ cloud plan: $20 monthly for hosted open-model access, bulk-token discounts, and fuller web tools. | Local Jan is free. Optional external cloud models are billed by their providers. |
| Main restriction | Local speed and model size depend on your hardware; commercial rights depend on each downloaded model's license. | Local model speed and quality depend on compatible hardware; output rights depend on each model's license. | Jan's Apache 2.0 code license is separate from downloaded model licenses. Output-use rights and hardware requirements vary by model; connected online tools require network access. |
| Sources reviewed | Oct 4, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 |
“Not confirmed” and “Not applicable” do not mean yes. Compare billing periods and restrictions alongside prices; different allowance units are not directly equivalent.
Read the restrictions and original sources
Ollama
Local model runner and API for downloading, serving, and using open models on your own hardware.
Keep in mind: Local speed and model size depend on your hardware; commercial rights depend on each downloaded model's license.
Running models on your own hardware is always unlimited, but hardware, storage, electricity, and model-license requirements remain yours. The Free cloud account has unquantified starter credits; Pro adds $60 of monthly cloud usage credits.
Read Ollama plan details →LM Studio
Desktop local-AI workspace with model discovery, chat, document retrieval, agents, and compatible local APIs.
Keep in mind: Local model speed and quality depend on compatible hardware; output rights depend on each model's license.
Downloaded models run without cloud inference credits. Local performance, storage, and electricity depend on your hardware. LM Studio recommends 16 GB or more of RAM, while some smaller models can run on supported 8 GB Macs.
Read LM Studio plan details →Jan.ai
Open-source desktop assistant for downloading local models, building assistants, connecting tools, and serving a local API.
Keep in mind: Jan's Apache 2.0 code license is separate from downloaded model licenses. Output-use rights and hardware requirements vary by model; connected online tools require network access.
Local models use your machine's memory, compute, storage, and electricity. Jan's model hub indicates hardware fit. Cloud providers are optional, require their own API keys, and apply separate service terms and charges.
- Jan official repository, features, and code license ↗
- Jan local and cloud model setup ↗
- Jan documentation confirms local use has no usage fees ↗
Choose around the requirement
Use the questions above to identify the allowance or permission your project requires. Check the matching source, then evaluate the actual workflow. These are source-based plan comparisons, not hands-on quality reviews or a measured ranking.
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