Ollama
The simplest app for a local chatbot. Pick a model, then talk.
Installer only · One-click app · Free
Learn a language
Conversation practice and grammar explanations.
The tools below run on your computer. Most of them are free, and the local work stays on your machine.
Works offline · Free options
Your computer
Describe your computer
Pick the closest line. Office PC and Mini PC are estimates. Linux and a home server stay in the list. We guess the specs, then hide models that would not fit. The guess stays cautious.
4 results
Most tools here are free.
Work & Office A step behind Gemma 3 12B, and a clear step ahead of a 3B toy model.
The default small chatbot for 2026. Quick, capable, and easy to find.
Runs in:Fits on:· needs ~5.2 GB · Free to download · License: Apache 2.0
Audio & Music Not on the chat board
A small voice for listening practice
Runs in:Fits on:· needs ~0.1 GB · Free to download · License: GPL-3.0
HONEST COMPARISON
Local or cloud: Learn a language?
Reviewed Oct 2026
- Privacy: Local winsPractice conversations stay local
- Cost: TieDuolingo and a local model both have a free start
- Quality: Cloud winsA course beats an unguided chat
- Ease: Cloud winsLessons, audio and a path are built in
Local AI
A local chat can hold a practice conversation. It is not a course.
- Practice chats stay on your computer
- No streak pressure or account
- You can ask for simpler words
Where it falls short
- No lesson path and no listening score
- Corrections are uneven on a small model
Cloud & apps
Duolingo, tutors and speech apps are built as courses. Use them for the path, and local chat for private practice.
- AAnkiDesktop appFree
The vocabulary system that actually keeps words, once you have the cards.
Best for: Vocabulary
- DDuolingoAppFreemiumPopular choice
A real course with listening, speaking and a daily path.
Best for: BeginnersDaily practice
Progress is stored in your account
- IitalkiAppPaid
A person to talk to when a model is not enough.
Best for: SpeakingTutors
Lessons are on italki's platform
Our take
Learn with a course. Use a local chat afterwards for private conversation practice.
Choose local if…
- You want a private role-play
- You already know the basics
Choose cloud if…
- You need a lesson path
- You need listening and speaking drills
How to do it in 3 steps
- Open the model page and pick any app under Runs in, for example AnythingLLM, GPT4All or Jan. Each app page links to that maker's own guide.
- Open the Qwen3 8B page and check the traffic light for a few kinds of computer.
- Follow that official guide. This site does not add its own install steps.
Questions
- Does this upload my files?
- The local tools on this page don't upload your files. The cloud options in the comparison do.
- What does it cost?
- Most options are free. A few apps are a one-time purchase, and a few models need a computer with more memory.
- What if it will not fit?
- Use Check my computer, or turn on the lighter memory filters. A red light on the model page means the file is too big.
Not into local AI? Try these instead
Ordinary apps for study & school. These are normal links to the maker's site.