💬 Chatbots and assistants
Jan
By Menlo Research. Visit Jan
Desk research from the maker's own pages. Not yet tried by us. Checked 2026-10-24.
A free, open-source desktop app pitched as a ChatGPT replacement. It runs open AI models offline on Mac, Windows or Linux, or connects to cloud models like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. Newer features include a 'Cowork' preview that works on tasks on its own, and agents that can read files and act through WhatsApp, Discord or Slack. No account is needed.
Our take: A tidy local AI app for a skilled older teen with a parent involved; not for younger kids.
| Ages it suits | about 16+ with a parent (no terms found) |
|---|---|
| What its terms say about age | Not stated; we found no terms of service and the privacy page sets no age. (terms) |
| Price | Free. Free and open source; cloud models cost whatever the provider charges (Oct 2026). |
| Works on | Mac, Windows |
| Account | No account needed |
| Ads | None |
| In-app purchases | None |
| The AI in it | Runs large language models locally or through cloud providers; agents can take actions on your computer and in chat apps. |
What's good
- Free, open source and actively updated
- Works offline with no account
- Analytics only with permission
Watch for
- No child safety filter by default
- Agents can act in WhatsApp, Discord and Slack
- Needs technical skill and a strong computer
- No terms or parental controls
Data and privacy
Jan says chats and settings stay on your computer and it never logs prompts. With permission it counts active users under a random ID. Cloud models see your messages under their own policies. Read the privacy policy.
Does it work?
No independent study found.
In the Big Index
Alternatives to Jan
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
ChatGPT
OpenAI · ages 13-17 in the teen experience; adults
Most teens will meet it anyway, so link a parent account and turn on Study Mode; families wanting a tutor that never gives answers should look at a purpose-built one.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Claude
Anthropic · ages 18+ (adults)
A tool for parents and adult students, not for children; families wanting a teen chatbot need one whose terms allow teens.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Curio plush (Grem, Grok, Gabbo)
Curio Interactive · ages about 3-12
One of the more careful AI plush toys on paper, but it is still an open chatbot for small children; suits parents who will read transcripts, while families who want no AI conversations should skip it.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
DIY.org (ChatDino, game builder)
DIY (AstroSafe family) · ages about 8-18 (the maker says 8 to 18)
Suits kids 8 and up who want to make and share games with a parent watching the portal; skip if you want kids learning to code by hand.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Echo Dot Kids (with Alexa+)
Amazon · ages 3-12
Fine for bedtime stories and quick questions if parents check and delete recordings; skip it if a microphone in the bedroom bothers you.
Desk researchPaid
Explore with Alexa
Amazon · ages young kids with an Amazon Kids profile
Fits families already on Echo and Prime who want voice-only curiosity chats; families wary of AI chat or always-on microphones should skip it.
Where these facts come from
- https://www.jan.ai/
- https://www.jan.ai/privacy
- https://docs.jan.ai/desktop/privacy
- https://docs.jan.ai/desktop
- https://github.com/janhq/jan
Prices, terms and features change. Nobody paid to be listed, nothing here is an affiliate link, and Peabody never rates itself. Where we and the maker disagree, the maker's own pages are the ones to trust.