Offline ChatGPT: You can't run ChatGPT offline, do this instead
ChatGPT itself can't run offline. ChatGPT can't run offline. You can’t download it. It always needs internet, because it runs on OpenAI's servers.
If you want offline AI, you need local models. The easiest way: Jan, an open-source replacement of ChatGPT (opens in a new tab). It's free, open-source, and works 100% offline. With Jan, you can even use AI on a plane.
Quick Summary:
- ChatGPT always needs internet - no offline mode
- Use Jan to use AI models 100% offline
- It's free & open-source, and works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
How to use AI offline?
Offline AI means the model runs on your computer. So no internet needed, 100% private, and data never leaves your device. With Jan you can run offline AI models locally.
Jan as an offline ChatGPT alternative
Jan lets you use AI offline - no internet connection needed
Here's how to get started with offline AI in 3 simple steps:
1. Download Jan
Go to jan.ai (opens in a new tab) and download the version for your computer (Mac, Windows, or Linux). It's completely free.
2. Download an AI model
You'll need an AI model to use AI offline, so download a model from Jan. Once it's on your computer, you don't need internet anymore. You can also use GPT models via Jan - check running gpt-oss locally (opens in a new tab) post to see it.
Select an AI model that matches your needs and computer capabilities
Which model should you choose?
- For most computers: Try Mistral 7B or DeepSeek - they're similar to ChatGPT 3.5
- For older computers: Use smaller 3B models
- For gaming PCs: You can try larger 13B models
Don't worry about choosing - Jan will automatically recommend models that work well on your computer.
If you'd like to learn more about local AI, check how to run AI models locally as a beginner (opens in a new tab) article.
3. Start using AI offline
Use Jan's clean interface to chat with AI - no internet required
Once downloaded, you can use AI anywhere, anytime:
- Chat like you do with ChatGPT
- Work on documents offline
- Get coding help without internet
- Keep your conversations private
- Use AI even when servers are down
How to chat with your docs in Jan?
Simply add your files and ask questions about them.
Chat with your documents privately - no internet needed
I did this for you and got a reply from a 7B parameter model. If you'd like to learn what "7B" means and understand other local AI terms, check our guide on running AI models locally.
A response from AI, Qwen2.5 7B Instruct Q4:
This document appears to be about the benefits and advantages of running artificial intelligence (AI) models locally on your device rather than using cloud-based or remote AI services. The key points it highlights include data privacy, offline functionality, freedom from paywalls and restrictions, and giving users full control over their AI models. Additionally, the text mentions that local AI is becoming a new trend and provides a link to a guide for beginners who want to learn more about this topic.
Local AI makes possible offline AI use, so Jan is going to be your first step to get started.
Why choose Jan over ChatGPT?
- True Offline Use: Unlike ChatGPT, Jan works without internet
- 100% Private: Your data never leaves your computer
- Free Forever: No subscriptions or API costs
- No Server Issues: No more "ChatGPT is at capacity"
- Your Choice of Models: Use newer models as they come out
"Is Jan really free? What's the catch?"
Yes, it's completely free and open source. Jan is built by developers who believe in making AI accessible to everyone.
How does Jan compare to ChatGPT?"
Modern open-source models like DeepSeek and Mistral are very capable. While they might not match GPT-4, they're perfect for most tasks and getting better every month.
"Do I need a powerful computer?"
If your computer is from the last 5 years, it will likely work fine. You need about 8GB of RAM and 10GB of free space for comfortable usage.
"What about my privacy?"
Everything stays on your computer with Jan. Your conversations, documents, and data never leave your device unless you choose to share them.
Want to learn more about the technical side? Check our detailed guide on running AI models locally. It's not required to use AI offline (opens in a new tab) but helps understand how it all works.
Need help?
Join our Discord community (opens in a new tab) for support and tips on using Jan as your offline ChatGPT alternative.
FAQ
Can I download ChatGPT for offline use?
No. ChatGPT is cloud-only.
How to use ChatGPT offline?
You can't. ChatGPT has no offline mode. Use Jan instead for a ChatGPT-like offline experience.
Does ChatGPT have internet access?
Yes. It runs in the cloud.
What's the best way to use AI offline?
Download Jan and run models like Mistral, DeepSeek, or GPT-OSS locally.
What's GPT offline?
OpenAI has open-source models you can run locally but not via ChatGPT. One of them is gpt-oss (opens in a new tab) and you can run it via Jan.