Ollama lets you run open language models on your own hardware. You install it on macOS, Windows or Linux, or use the official Docker image, then pull and run a model from its library by name. It also runs a local server with an API, so other applications, from chat interfaces to coding assistants, can use the model you are running. The project’s documentation lists the supported integrations and API endpoints.
Good to know
Ollama is the runtime, not the model. Each model in its library carries its own license and its own hardware requirements, so check both before relying on one for work. Capability depends heavily on your memory: small models run on a typical laptop, while larger ones need much more RAM or a capable GPU.
For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our guide to running a local LLM with Ollama and our tool of the day overview.