All three run models on your machine. All three get you to a working model. They are built for different people, and picking the wrong one is a week of mild regret. - Ollama: the minimalist. Command line first, simple model library, a local API server other apps can talk to. The natural backend when your phone acts as client. No real interface. - LM Studio: the opposite bet. Polished desktop app, built-in chat, one-click model downloads. Friendliest on-ramp. Less natural as the always-on home server. - Jan: the middle. Desktop app with chat and an API mode, open-source and local-first. Wears the open-source part most proudly. - The model matters more than the runner. Pair the right model with the right runner. Terminal person building a home server: Ollama. Click-and-chat today: LM Studio. Open-source purist: Jan. Want none of the setup? PrivateLLM deploy puts a private LLM on your AWS for $50 plus usage.