Run open models locally through a free command-line tool and local API.
Verified free allowance
Running models through Ollama's local API is free with no provider-set request quota; practical capacity depends on the computer and model.
Ollama downloads and runs supported open models on a user's own computer, then exposes them through a command-line interface and local HTTP API. Local use avoids provider request quotas, but speed, model size, and practical capacity depend on the user's hardware and each model's license.
A strong free API option when local hardware is available and keeping prompts on the user's own machine matters.
Paid plans: Optional Ollama cloud plans provide hosted usage; running models locally remains free.
These links support the important free-offer claims on this page.
Ollama states that running models on a local computer is always free and lists optional hosted cloud plans separately.
Ollama documents that no authentication is required for the local API at localhost.
