TRY IT Ollama
Ollama lets you run AI models on your own computer, use them through compatible coding tools, and connect them to applications through an API. It is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux, with optional cloud models for work that exceeds your local hardware's capacity.
You download a compatible model, start it through the app or terminal, and use it for tasks such as chat, drafting, and code assistance. The model determines what it can do and how well it performs. Ollama manages the process of downloading and running it.
For developers and indie hackers, this provides a way to experiment with AI features without sending every model request to a paid external service. You could prototype a writing assistant or connect a local model to an existing development workflow.
Local models and cloud access
With local inference, model processing happens on your machine. Once the necessary model files are downloaded, local generation can work offline. Connected tools, web searches, and other integrations may still send data elsewhere, so consider the whole application when handling sensitive material.
Local performance depends on available memory, processing hardware, model size, and context length. Larger models can be slow or impractical on a modest laptop. Cloud inference moves that processing to hosted infrastructure, but requests then leave your computer and cloud usage allowances apply.
Build with the API
The developer API supports local and hosted models, with official Python and JavaScript libraries. Compatibility endpoints support parts of common AI API formats, which can reduce the changes needed to connect existing software. Compatibility is not complete, so check the features your application uses.
Local API requests do not require an Ollama API key. Direct cloud requests do. Coding agent integrations provide another way to use supported models within a development workflow, while model choice affects tool use and response quality.
Key features
- Local model downloads and execution
- App and terminal access
- macOS, Windows, and Linux support
- Optional cloud model access
- Coding tool integrations
- Local and hosted APIs
- Official Python and JavaScript libraries
Ollama's local software is free to use, though you supply the hardware and electricity. Cloud access has a free allowance, with paid subscriptions and additional usage credits available. Individual model licenses vary, so check the terms for any model you plan to use commercially.