Hob
Open-source alternative to ChatGPT and Claude that runs on your computer
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Hob is a fully free, open-source desktop app that provides a local alternative to ChatGPT and Claude. Instead of sending your data to external servers, Hob runs entirely on your computer using open-weight models like Gemma, Qwen, and GPT-OSS.
Available for Mac, Windows, and Linux, Hob works directly with your files: it fills out PDFs, analyzes spreadsheets, summarizes documents, and creates charts. You can also connect your email, calendar, and other apps via MCP connectors.
The app is MIT-licensed and backed by Y Combinator. Hob automatically picks the best model for your hardware specs, requiring at least 8 GB of RAM. No account, no subscription, and no internet needed after setup.
AI-assisted draft, human-reviewed before publishing — see how we choose & review tools.
Why we picked it
For all the talk about AI privacy, Hob takes it seriously: fully open-source, zero telemetry, no account required. Supports 32 languages including Arabic, backed by Y Combinator. A genuine alternative for anyone who doesn't want their files in the cloud.
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