All three are open-source, and all three replace a hosted chat app like ChatGPT — but they are not the same kind of tool. The difference is how you want to run it: a desktop app on your own computer, a private web-style interface for local models, or one workspace that brings several models together.
At a glance
| Tool | What it is | Platform | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open WebUI | A clean, friendly chat screen for models running on your own machine. | Web-based, with Docker support on Windows, macOS, and Linux. | A private, ChatGPT-style interface for local models. |
| Jan | A desktop app for chatting with AI models stored on your own computer. | Windows, macOS, and Linux. | Beginners who want offline desktop AI chat. |
| LibreChat | A polished chat workspace bringing many AI models together in one place. | Web-based, with Docker support. | Using several AI models in one chat app. |
Pick this one if…
- Pick Jan if you want the simplest start: install a desktop app, pick a model, and chat offline. This is the beginner pick on the site’s own description.
- Pick Open WebUI if you want a ChatGPT-style screen in the browser for models already running on your own machine — including document uploads, per its tool post.
- Pick LibreChat if you switch between models: its post describes switching providers, saving conversations, and extra tools such as image generation and file search from a single screen.
The one thing to know before you choose
None of these three is, by itself, the model. They are the chat front-ends. You still need models running locally (or a provider to connect, in LibreChat’s case). The site’s companion post explains the engine side: Ollama lets you run large language models on your own computer without sending chats to a cloud service.
Verdict
- Beginner, one computer, offline first → Jan.
- Browser-style private interface for local models → Open WebUI.
- Several models in one workspace → LibreChat.
Verified: October 2026
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