Alternatives to Chatbox

A desktop and mobile chat client for AI models, where you supply your own API keys or point it at a local model. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Chatbox.

  • Cherry Studio

    Use several AI providers from one desktop chat application.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Cherry Studio is a free AGPL-3.0 desktop chat app for several AI providers that also supports local model servers and document-based conversations.

  • Jan

    An open-source ChatGPT replacement that runs entirely offline, and can also front cloud providers when you want them.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Jan is an Apache 2.0 desktop app that runs models fully offline itself and also fronts cloud providers, though it is still pre-1.0 and changing fast.

  • Msty

    Desktop workspace for chatting with local and hosted AI models in one place.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinux

    Msty is a closed source desktop workspace that runs local models without a separate server, with more capable features behind a paid plan.

  • Witsy

    Use AI models and MCP tools through a desktop assistant.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Witsy is an AGPL-3.0 desktop assistant for local model servers and cloud APIs that also adds MCP tool support.

  • Open WebUI

    A self-hosted chat interface that talks to Ollama and any OpenAI-compatible API, so your local models get a proper front end.

    FreemiumSelf-hostedWeb

    Open WebUI is a self-hosted web interface with multi-user roles and document retrieval, which you run and secure as a server instead of a desktop app.

  • AnythingLLM

    A desktop AI app that answers questions about your own documents, with no account and no API key needed.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    AnythingLLM is an MIT licensed desktop app built around document chat with workspaces, working fully locally or with a cloud provider key.

  • LibreChat

    Self-hosted open-source chat interface that brings many AI models and providers into one place.

    FreeOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

    LibreChat is an MIT-licensed self-hosted chat interface for many providers with agents, code interpreter, MCP and SSO, but needs a server and Docker setup.

  • BoltAI

    A native macOS AI chat app that works with many cloud providers and local models.

    PaidProprietarymacOS

    BoltAI is a paid, closed-source native Mac app for many cloud providers and local Ollama models, with system-wide shortcuts, but runs only on macOS 13 or later.

Also worth comparing

These listings name Chatbox as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • Alpaca

    A GNOME desktop app for managing and chatting with local AI models through Ollama.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    Chatbox is a GPL-3.0 client for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS that connects to Ollama and many cloud providers using your own API keys.

  • Ollama App

    A cross-platform chat client for talking to language models running on an Ollama server.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsLinuxAndroid

    Chatbox is a GPL-3.0 client for desktop, Android and iOS that works with Ollama plus many cloud providers using your API keys.

  • Ollamac

    A native macOS app for chatting with language models served by a local Ollama installation.

    FreeOpen sourcemacOS

    Chatbox is a GPL-3.0 client for desktop and mobile that supports Ollama plus OpenAI, Claude and other providers with your own keys.

  • Page Assist

    An open-source browser extension that adds a sidebar and web UI for chatting with local AI models.

    FreeOpen sourceBrowser extension

    Chatbox is a GPL-3.0 desktop and mobile client for local Ollama models and cloud providers, moving chat out of the browser into a separate app.

  • SillyTavern

    A locally-installed front end for language models aimed at long-form roleplay and character-driven writing.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxSelf-hosted

    Chatbox is a GPL-3.0 desktop and mobile client for several AI providers and local Ollama models, simpler to install but without lorebooks or character cards.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.