Beginner · first result in 15 min
Run powerful AI on my own laptop
The problem
I want AI that works offline, keeps my data on my machine and has no monthly bill.
What you'll get
From zero to a private local assistant in about 15 minutes, and a clear picture of how big you can go.
Best options right now
Last checked 23 Sept 2026Pick one
Ollama ↗
The easiest start: one command to download and chat with open models; local API included
EasyFree
LM Studio ↗
A desktop app with a model browser and chat window, no terminal needed
EasyFree
llama.cpp ↗
Maximum control and speed on CPU, Apple Silicon or any GPU
MediumFree
Colibrì ↗
Frontier-size MoE models (GLM-5.2, 744B) on 16–25 GB RAM by streaming experts from disk
Needs ~372 GB of NVMe; about 1 token every 10–20 s on a 25 GB machine. See our claim check.
AdvancedFree
Do this first
- Install Ollama (or LM Studio if you prefer an app).
- Start with a small model; it answers instantly on most laptops. Move up in size only if quality isn't enough.
- Point your tools at the local API (Ollama serves one on localhost:11434) so prompts never leave your machine.
# macOS / Linux
curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh | sh
ollama run llama3.2 # pick any model from ollama.com/libraryWatch out for
- Bigger isn't always better on a laptop: a model that takes minutes per answer won't get used.
- Model files are large. Check free disk space before downloading.
- Check each model's license before commercial use.
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