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Ollama vs Jan
Ollama edges Jan on our editorial score (4.3 vs 4.1), but the two are close on features — Ollama is cheaper at Free, so default to it unless you prefer Jan's branding.
0| Ollama | Jan | |
|---|---|---|
| Editor score | 4.3 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Price band | Free | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Price detail | Free and open-source (2026-09-30). | Free and open-source (2026-09-30). |
| Adult content | No adult mode | No adult mode |
| Voice | No | No |
| Images | No | No |
| Video | No | No |
| Memory | No | No |
| Custom characters | Yes | Yes |
| Companion types | Any character | Any character |
| Platforms | Desktop | Desktop |
| Runs locally | No | No |
Ollama — our take
The de-facto local model runtime: one command to run open models, free and open-source.
- One-command model setup
- Huge model library
- Open-source and free
Jan — our take
A clean local assistant: open-source, offline-first, with an OpenAI-compatible API server built in.
- True offline assistant
- OpenAI-compatible local API
- Open-source
Ollama vs Jan — common questions
Which is cheaper, Ollama or Jan?
They cost the same on our recorded numbers (Free).
Which one has a free tier?
Both do — you can try either without paying.
Which remembers conversations better?
Neither carries context between sessions — both reset, which is worth knowing before you pick either.
Which handles adult content differently?
Ollama: No adult mode. Jan: No adult mode. This directory is SFW — we record whether a mature mode exists so you know before signing up, and we describe no explicit material.
Prices change. Confirm the current price and available plans on each site before subscribing. Affiliate disclosure.