Alternatives to SillyTavern
A locally-installed front end for language models aimed at long-form roleplay and character-driven writing. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
SillyTavern
A locally-installed front end for language models aimed at long-form roleplay and character-driven writing.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as SillyTavern.
TextGen
Chat with local language models using the TextGen desktop interface.
TextGen is an AGPL-3.0 desktop interface that runs local models itself with portable builds and API access, but lacks the character cards and lorebooks SillyTavern offers.
KoboldCpp
A single executable that runs GGUF language models locally, with a web interface and no installation at all.
KoboldCpp is a single AGPL-3.0 executable that runs GGUF models with its own web interface, so no separate backend is needed, though the interface is dense.
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.
Open WebUI is a self-hosted multi-user chat interface for Ollama and OpenAI-compatible APIs with document retrieval, aimed at general chat rather than roleplay prompt control.
Jan
An open-source ChatGPT replacement that runs entirely offline, and can also front cloud providers when you want them.
Jan is an Apache 2.0 desktop app with installers that runs models offline and fronts cloud providers, replacing Node or Docker setup but without roleplay-specific tooling.
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 desktop and mobile client for several AI providers and local Ollama models, simpler to install but without lorebooks or character cards.
Msty
Desktop workspace for chatting with local and hosted AI models in one place.
Msty is a closed-source desktop workspace that runs local models without a separate server and keeps prompt libraries organised, with advanced features on a paid plan.
Cherry Studio
Use several AI providers from one desktop chat application.
Cherry Studio is a free AGPL-3.0 desktop chat app for several providers and local model servers, focused on general and document chat rather than character roleplay.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Ollama
The simplest way to pull down an open language model and run it on your own machine, from one command or a desktop app.
llama.cpp
The C++ engine most local AI apps are built on, running language models on ordinary hardware.
LM Studio
A polished desktop app for downloading, running and chatting with local language models, with an OpenAI-compatible server built in.
llamafile
Packages a language model and the code to run it into one executable file that works on several operating systems without installation.
LocalAI
Serve language, image and speech models on your own hardware.
