I quit ChatGPT for a free, private, and local AI called Ollama – here’s why
Jack Wallen/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Ollama is a user-friendly, locally installed AI. You will be surprised at the benefits you gain from this app. Not only is Ollama free and private, but it’s also open-source. Ollama is a small player in the AI game, but it should be much bigger than it is. This installable AI has several benefits you won’t find with the likes of ChatGPT, and those benefits are what keep me from ever using a more traditional service. I’ve written about Ollama quite often over the past year, but I thought it was time to share the reasons I choose to use this app over any other. Also: Want local vibe coding? This AI stack might replace Claude Code and Codex – for free (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, ZDNET’s parent company, filed an April 2025 lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.) What is Ollama? Before I get into the why, let’s talk about …


