LALocal AI Stack

Run private AI without guessing.

Compare local AI tools, check whether your hardware can run useful models, and follow beginner-safe setup guides for Ollama, LM Studio, Open WebUI, and private document chat.

Check my RAM/VRAM

Estimate model fit from RAM, VRAM, context, quantization, and workload.

Compare Ollama vs LM Studio

Choose between CLI/runtime workflows and beginner GUI workflows.

Start with the beginner guide

Understand what local AI can and cannot honestly promise.
Freshness policy: source-backed facts use reviewed evidence labels, conservative hardware guidance stays estimate-only, and unsupported claims remain labeled “Unknown / do not rely on yet.”

Honest status layer

Evidence class: estimate

Runtime records

7 seeded

Unknown / do not rely on yet

Hardware profiles

22 planning buckets

Unknown / do not rely on yet

Benchmarks

Conservative estimate, not a benchmark

Unknown / do not rely on yet

Guides

7 V1 guide routes

Unknown / do not rely on yet

Hero

Run private AI without guessing.

Local AI Stack helps beginners choose, size, install, and troubleshoot local AI tools without pretending every laptop can run every model.

Use the site to check whether your computer has enough RAM or VRAM, compare Ollama and LM Studio, understand what actually stays local, and choose a realistic first setup for Mac, Windows, PDFs, or private document work.

Primary calls to action

CTALinkSupporting copy
Check my RAM/VRAM/tools/ram-vram-calculatorEstimate whether your computer can run a local model before downloading multi-gigabyte files.
Compare Ollama vs LM Studio/compare/ollama-vs-lm-studioPick the right first app or runtime for your workflow.
Start with local AI/guides/what-is-local-aiLearn what local AI means, what still touches the internet, and where to begin.

Trust block

Local AI Stack is deliberately conservative. We do not claim tested performance unless a setup has been tested on named hardware with a named app version. We do not claim a workflow is private unless the model, documents, embeddings, storage, providers, and network settings are accounted for.

Beginner pathways

I am completely new

Start with What Is Local AI?, then use the RAM/VRAM Calculator, then compare Ollama vs LM Studio.

I already know my computer specs

Jump to Best Local AI for 8GB RAM, 16GB RAM, or 32GB RAM.

I want a Mac or Windows setup

Read Best Local AI Setup for Mac or Best Local AI Setup for Windows.

I care most about privacy

Read Is Local AI Actually Private? before uploading sensitive documents.

I want to chat with PDFs

Read Chat With PDFs Locally and then choose between LM Studio, Open WebUI, and AnythingLLM based on how much control you need.

Status strip

Site areaCurrent status
RAM/VRAM calculatorWorking estimate tool, not a benchmark lab.
Core local AI articlesTwelve launch articles are ready for integration.
Runtime recordsSource-backed editorial enrichment still needed.
Hardware recordsPlanning profiles; not tested compatibility records.
Model recordsFamily-level records; not exact model benchmarks.
MCP hubComing soon; keep noindexed until implemented.

Mac with 8GB unified memory

Small models only; avoid heavy PDF workflows and large context.

Mac with 16GB unified memory

Practical beginner Mac tier for 7B/8B-class local chat with conservative settings.

Mac with 32GB unified memory

Strong hobbyist tier for larger models and light document workflows, still not unlimited.

Windows laptop with no discrete GPU

Small-model experimentation; avoid comfort claims for large models.

Windows laptop with 8GB VRAM GPU

Good entry local GPU tier for 7B/8B-class models, with laptop thermal caveats.

Desktop with 12GB VRAM GPU

Good mid-tier for 7B/8B and some 14B-class experiments.