How to Run a Chatbot on Your Own Computer
Large language models can be run locally on a personal computer rather than through cloud-based services such as ChatGPT or Claude. This can provide offline access, stronger privacy and freedom from subscriptions or usage limits, although local models are generally less capable and convenient than leading paid services and require users to manage installations and updates themselves.
Local LLMs work on Windows, macOS and Linux, with Macs often favoured because Apple Silicon combines processing and memory resources effectively. At least 8 GB of RAM is needed, while 16 GB is preferable and 32 GB or more supports larger models; a dedicated GPU with over 8 GB of VRAM, particularly Nvidia hardware on Windows, can significantly improve performance. Users need both an application, such as LM Studio Bionic, Ollama or GPT4All, and a model, which can be found through the software or repositories including Hugging Face.
- Local AI offers privacy and offline use.
- More memory and GPU power improve performance.
- Users must choose software and download models.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Running a chatbot locally can give users offline access, greater control over their data and freedom from subscriptions or service limits. For people who value privacy, reliability without an internet connection or the ability to choose their own software, accepting some setup work and less capable models may be a worthwhile trade-off.
The case against
Cloud services can offer more capable models and a smoother experience without requiring users to manage installations, hardware demands or updates. For people who prioritise convenience and performance, a subscription or reliance on an internet connection may be a reasonable price for those benefits.