6,622 tools, each one opened, scored and signed by a Toolio reviewer

Jan

Jan is an open-source alternative to ChatGPT.

Checked 5 Oct 2026 Reviewed by Alex Listed since September 2024

Screenshot of Jan

At a glance

Starts at Free No paid plan found on the vendor's site, September 2026.
Free tier Yes
Platforms MacOS
Best for Developers, enthusiasts
Not for Designers with dark mode preference

3.9 out of 5

Scored by Alex after real use

Our verdict

Open-source and self-hosted, Jan provides flexibility but lacks mainstream model support.

✓What it does well

Self-hostingJan can run models locally or connect to cloud services like GPT-4, Claude and others.
CustomizableUsers can choose different AI models or plug in their favorites.
Open Model EcosystemRuns on a variety of open-source models.

✕Where it falls short

Model support limitedOnly a few open-source AI models are supported; mainstream ones aren't available yet.
Dark mode missingThe dark mode theme is not available currently.
Dark Mode AbsentLacks native support for dark mode themes.

Key features

Open-source ecosystemRuns on open-source models and connects to a variety of cloud models.
Memory retentionJan remembers context from previous interactions, reducing repetition.
Accessible via desktopAvailable for Mac as a downloadable application.
Self-hosting capabilityRemember context from previous interactions.

Questions about Jan

What is Jan?

Jan is an open-source alternative to ChatGPT that can be self-hosted. It runs as a downloadable application for Mac, lets users choose different AI models or plug in their favorites, and remembers context from previous interactions to reduce repetition.

Is Jan free?

Yes. Jan is free, and no paid plan was found on the vendor's site in September 2026. Because it is open source and self-hosted, the reviewer says it offers flexibility, and Toolio lists it as best for developers and enthusiasts.

Does Jan have dark mode?

No. Dark mode is not currently available in Jan, and the reviewer lists its absence among the tool's shortcomings. Toolio lists Jan as not for designers with a dark mode preference.

What platforms does Jan run on?

Jan runs on macOS, where it is available as a downloadable desktop application. Toolio lists no other platform for it, and as a self-hosted tool it runs on a variety of open-source models.

How does Toolio rate Jan?

Toolio scores Jan 3.9 out of 5, rated by Alex after real use on 5 Oct 2026. Toolio lists Replit GPT Assistant, ChatGPT Deutsch, Grok App and PapertLab as alternatives, with PapertLab bringing AI into coding through real-time collaboration and precision editing.

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