Ollama and LM Studio: Your First Local Chat

Two free tools make this simple, and they suit different people.

LM Studio is the point-and-click choice. You install it like any app, browse a library of models inside it, download one, and chat in a normal window. If you are not comfortable with a terminal, start here.

Ollama is the command-line choice. It is an open-source tool that downloads, runs and manages models with a short command, and it also lets other programs talk to your local model. It suits people who want to connect a local model to other tools, including some of the agents from earlier courses.

Either way, the first session goes the same. Install the tool, choose a small model that fits your RAM, wait for the download, and ask it something ordinary. It will feel slower and a little less sharp than the cloud assistants. That is expected. Try summarizing a paragraph, rewriting a sentence, or explaining a term.

Then do the useful test: turn off your internet connection and ask again. It still works. That is what local means.

Takeaway: LM Studio for point-and-click, Ollama for command-line and connecting to other tools. Pick a small model that fits your RAM and test it offline.

Tools, prices and features in this area change quickly. Last reviewed September 2026.