9 questions answered. Every answer sourced.
Local LLMs: How to Run AI on Your Own Computer
A local LLM runs on your own machine instead of a company's servers. It costs nothing per message, works offline and keeps your data private, but you trade away some capability. Here is how to start.
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Facts checked against official announcements and documentation, October 2026 · Last updated October 2026
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01 · Basics
What a local LLM is
Local models swap peak capability for privacy, cost and control.
What is a local LLM?
A large language model that runs entirely on your own computer. You download the model file once and chat with it without sending prompts to a cloud service.
Source: Ollama: Download; LM Studio
Why run an LLM locally?
Privacy (data never leaves your device), offline use, no per-message or subscription cost, and full control over which model and settings you use. It also suits experimenting with open models.
Are local LLMs as good as ChatGPT?
Usually not for the hardest tasks. Frontier cloud models such as GPT-6 Astra lead on complex reasoning and long agentic work. Local models are very capable for drafting, summarising and coding help, especially on strong hardware.
Source: OpenAI: GPT-6 Astra, a new generation of intelligence
02 · Setup
How to run a local LLM
Two free tools cover most people.
How do I run an LLM locally with Ollama?
Download Ollama for macOS, Windows or Linux, install it, then run a model by name from the terminal; Ollama downloads it the first time. On macOS and Windows it updates automatically.
Source: Ollama: Download; Ollama Docs: FAQ
What is LM Studio?
A desktop app for discovering, downloading and chatting with local models through a graphical interface, a good choice if you prefer not to use the terminal.
Source: LM Studio
Can I use a local LLM in VS Code?
Yes. Ollama can be used with Visual Studio Code and other tools through its local server, so editors and apps can send requests to your local model.
Source: Ollama Docs: FAQ
03 · Hardware
Hardware and choosing a model
Memory is the main constraint: the model has to fit.
What hardware do I need for a local LLM?
Small models run on an ordinary modern laptop; larger models need much more memory. Apple Silicon Macs with plenty of unified memory, or PCs with a high-memory GPU, run larger models comfortably. Start with a small model and step up.
Which model should I run first?
Start with a small, popular open model from the Ollama or LM Studio library, test it on your own tasks, then try a larger version if your hardware allows.
Source: Ollama: Download; LM Studio
Is a local LLM completely private?
The model runs on your machine, but check settings: Ollama, for example, offers optional cloud features alongside a local-only mode. Keep cloud features off if privacy is the goal.
Source: Ollama Docs: FAQ
Sources
Read and checked October 2026. Policies change, so confirm anything time-sensitive on the source page.