GitHub Repo · Local & Private AI

Open WebUI

A ChatGPT-style interface for local and cloud models, self-hosted.

What Open WebUI does

Open WebUI gives your team a polished chat interface that works with Ollama and OpenAI-compatible APIs, with user accounts, document chat (RAG), web search, and admin controls, all on your own server.

Best for

A private team ChatGPT alternative
Chatting with internal documents
Mixing local and cloud models

How small businesses use Open WebUI

Give staff AI chat without sharing data externally
Upload SOPs and ask questions
Control which models each user can access

Quick facts
Type	GitHub Repo
Category	Local & Private AI
Pricing	Free and open source; enterprise options
Repository	github.com/open-webui/open-webui
License	See repository
Setup level	Intermediate
Main tradeoff	It needs a server and someone comfortable with Docker to install and update it.
GitHub stars	156k (as of 2026-10-21)
Added	Oct 16, 2026
Last reviewed	Oct 16, 2026

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Open WebUI: common questions

Who should use Open WebUI?

Open WebUI suits a private team ChatGPT alternative, chatting with internal documents and mixing local and cloud models.

When should you choose something else instead of Open WebUI?

Open WebUI needs a server and someone comfortable with Docker to install and update it. If that matters for your business, compare other options such as Ollama, Jan and AnythingLLM.

Is Open WebUI free?

Open WebUI pricing: Free and open source; enterprise options. Pricing changes often, so confirm current plans on the official repository or website before you buy.

Can a small business self-host Open WebUI?

Yes. Open WebUI is open source on GitHub, and its setup level is intermediate. You will need a computer or server to run it and someone to keep it updated and backed up, or you can use a hosted option if one is offered.