Alternatives to ChatWise
A desktop AI chat client that works with many model providers and stores data locally. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
ChatWise
A desktop AI chat client that works with many model providers and stores data locally.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as ChatWise.
Cherry Studio
Use several AI providers from one desktop chat application.
Cherry Studio is a free AGPL-3.0 open-source desktop client that adds Linux, supports local model servers and document chats, but cannot reuse Copilot or Claude subscriptions.
Chatbox
A desktop and mobile chat client for AI models, where you supply your own API keys or point it at a local model.
Chatbox is a GPL-3.0 community-edition client for desktop and mobile that stores conversations locally and uses your own keys or Ollama.
5ire
A cross-platform desktop AI assistant and MCP client that connects to major model providers.
5ire is a free open-source desktop MCP client with a local knowledge base on Windows, macOS and Linux, needing provider API keys.
Witsy
Use AI models and MCP tools through a desktop assistant.
Witsy is a free AGPL-3.0 desktop assistant with MCP tools for Windows, macOS and Linux, using your own provider credentials.
Msty
Desktop workspace for chatting with local and hosted AI models in one place.
Msty is a freemium closed-source desktop workspace that runs local models without a separate server and adds Linux support and knowledge bases.
BoltAI
A native macOS AI chat app that works with many cloud providers and local models.
BoltAI is a paid native macOS app with system-wide shortcuts, projects and plugins, requiring macOS 13 or later and dropping Windows.
PyGPT
An open-source desktop AI assistant that works with cloud model APIs and local Ollama models.
PyGPT is a free open-source client for cloud and Ollama models with agents, MCP tools and file RAG, though its large feature set can be overwhelming.
MindMac
A native macOS chat client for ChatGPT, Azure OpenAI, Google Gemini and other LLM APIs.
MindMac is a native macOS client for API keys with an inline mode in other apps, needing macOS 13 and a paid license for full features.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
TypingMind
A chat interface for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and other language models that runs on your own API keys.
LM Studio
A polished desktop app for downloading, running and chatting with local language models, with an OpenAI-compatible server built in.
Jan
An open-source ChatGPT replacement that runs entirely offline, and can also front cloud providers when you want them.
LibreChat
Self-hosted open-source chat interface that brings many AI models and providers into one place.
NextChat
An open-source AI chat client for the web and desktop that connects to many language models.
