🤖 Self-Hosting Your AI: 5 Tools to Deploy ChatGPT-Like Models Without the Cloud

Thinking about ditching APIs and running your own language model offline? Here are 5 tools I’ve tested for deploying local LLMs — from beginner-friendly to full-on tinkerer setups.

1. Ollama
CLI-based, cross-platform, zero-config LLM runner.

• Simple: ollama run llama3 and you’re good to go
• Great on MacBooks (M1/M2/M3)
• Clean integration with other frontends

Downsides: No GUI unless paired with another app like Open WebUI.

2. LM Studio
GUI app with built-in chat, embeddings, and offline document Q&A.

• Drag & drop model interface
• Good performance with quantized models
• Beginner-friendly, works offline

Tip: Best for casual use or local note-taking/chat.

3. KoboldAI
Geared toward writers and roleplayers.

• Multiple model backends supported
• Memory features and creative prompting
• Hugely popular for storytelling

Downsides: Less ideal for Q&A or productivity.

4. oobabooga / Text Generation Web UI
Highly modular and extensible local chat platform.

• Supports LoRAs, long context, voice, tools
• Huge model compatibility (GGUF, GPTQ, exllama, etc.)
• Many plugins and community forks

Great for devs who want full control and don’t mind getting hands-on.

5. Text Generation Web UI (base layer)
Same engine as oobabooga, but closer to the metal.

• Lightweight, direct access to backends
• Good for experiments, prompt engineering
• Fastest with GPU (especially ExLlamaV2)

Not beginner-friendly — but powerful once configured.

Quick Comparison

I now run most of my AI chats locally — especially using Ollama + LM Studio. It’s fast, private, and honestly… fun. Cloud still has its place, but owning the stack feels different.

Try what fits your workflow. Just make sure you’ve got the RAM for it.