Ollama lets you download and run large language models locally via a simple CLI and REST API. Supports a growing library of open models including Llama, Mistral, and Gemma on Windows, Mac, and Linux with no data sent to the cloud.
Ollama
Official website ollama.com
Our take
The clearest on-ramp to local AI: one command pulls a model, a second starts a chat, and nothing leaves your machine. The REST API makes it easy to wire into other tools or build small apps on top. The catch is hardware: capable models need a modern GPU and several gigabytes of RAM, so older or low-spec machines will struggle. For anyone with decent hardware who wants private AI inference without managing Python environments, Ollama is the obvious starting point.
GitHub at a glance
ollama/ollama
Stars
174,577
+ 126 this week
Last commit
1d ago
healthy
License
MIT
Latest release
v0.30.10
2d ago
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Ollama alternatives
llamafile A Mozilla project that packages a complete LLM and its runtime into a single executable file. Download one file, run it on Windows, Mac, or Linux with no installation, no dependencies, and no network connection required.
KoboldCpp KoboldCpp is a self-contained local AI inference tool with a built-in web UI. It runs GGUF text, image, and speech models with no installation beyond a single binary, primarily aimed at creative writing and roleplay workflows.
Ollama license, in plain English
MIT Permissive
Do almost anything: use, change, and ship it, even inside closed-source products. The only condition is keeping the copyright notice.
Permits
- Commercial use
- Modification
- Distribution
- Private use
Requires
- License and copyright notice
Does not provide
- Liability cover
- Warranty
Why it matters: Permissive licensing lets anyone reuse this, including inside closed products. That is freedom to build on, but no guarantee that downstream copies stay open.
Plain-language summary of the project's license, not legal advice. Read the full text for the exact terms.