From $50 per month🇺🇸
Open-source AI app from Mintplex Labs for chat with documents and agents, as a desktop app, self-hosted or in the cloud.
Jan overview and key facts (October 2026)
Open-source desktop app from Menlo Research that runs open models offline and optionally connects to cloud models.
Free
What is Jan?
Jan is an open-source desktop app for Mac, Windows and Linux that runs open language models offline and can also connect to cloud models, aimed at individuals and small teams who want a private chat assistant.
Jan is built by Menlo Research and published on GitHub; the license file states Apache 2.0. It uses the llama.cpp engine for local models, stores data locally according to the documentation, and offers assistants, MCP connectors and a local API server on localhost:1337 that follows the OpenAI format. The website reports more than 6.8 million downloads. The GitHub API showed about 44,700 stars and a push on September 28, 2026.
Jan AI features and use cases
- Offers a private chat on the desktopUsers download an open model and chat with it without an internet connection. Drafts and internal notes stay on the computer, which lowers the barrier for teams that are not yet allowed to use cloud chatbots.
- Connects tools through MCPJan supports MCP connectors, so the assistant can read from or act in other applications. Small teams can build simple assistants that use their own tools.
- Provides a local API for developersThe API server on localhost:1337 accepts OpenAI-style requests. Developers can test integrations against a local model before they pay for cloud usage.
What sets Jan apart
- Open-source desktop app under Apache 2.0 that combines local models and cloud models in one interface.
- Local API server and MCP connectors are built in, not add-ons.
Where Jan is strongest
Singapore Available internationally
Desktop software that runs on your own computers in any country; according to the documentation, data is stored locally.
Questions to ask before you buy Jan
Jan is a single-user desktop app without central administration, so decide how models and connectors are approved across the team. When users add cloud models, prompts go to those providers under their terms. Check model licenses and plan hardware with enough memory.
Jan reviews
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Questions about Jan
Is Jan free?
Yes, Jan is free and open source. Costs arise only if you connect paid cloud models.
Which operating systems does Jan support?
According to the documentation, Mac, Windows and Linux.
Where does Jan store my chats?
The documentation states that data is stored locally on your computer.
Jan update historyno updates yet
No changes recorded for Jan yet.
Changes the vendor made and confirmed user reports, each checked against the vendor's own pages. We review every tool monthly.
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