Run open AI models like Llama, Gemma and Qwen on your own computer.
🔒 Category
Best Local & Private AI AI tools for small business (2026)
Local and private AI tools run language models on your own computer or server, so sensitive documents never leave your control, with no per-user subscription fees.
Quick picks
Our editors' starting points in Local & Private AI, and who each one suits. Paid placements never appear in this list.
- Ollama: Suits anyone who wants to try private, local AI with minimal setup.
- Jan: Suits non-technical users who want a desktop chat app that runs models offline.
- Open WebUI: Suits teams that want a private, shared ChatGPT-style interface on their own server.
GitHub Repos
A ChatGPT-style interface for local and cloud models, self-hosted.
All-in-one desktop and server app to chat with your documents privately.
Fast local inference engine for open language models.
A desktop app that runs AI models offline on your own computer.
A self-hosted, OpenAI-compatible server for text, image and voice models.
Guides
Local & Private AI: common questions
Can a small business run AI on its own computer?
Yes. Tools like Ollama and Open WebUI run open models on a modern laptop or desktop. Larger models need a powerful GPU or server, and quality may trail the best cloud models for complex tasks.
Need help choosing local & private ai tools? Garner Digital Consulting sets up AI for small businesses.