Quick answer
Use Open WebUI if you want to chat in a browser and connect it to Ollama or another model provider. You will maintain the browser service, often using Docker. Use AnythingLLM Desktop if your main goal is chatting with documents in workspaces on one computer. AnythingLLM also has a server version for shared use.
For either app, choose the chat model and the model that indexes documents, then check storage and network settings. A local interface can still send requests to a cloud provider.
Comparison table
| Category | Open WebUI | AnythingLLM | Practical verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary identity | Browser UI for local/cloud AI providers | Document/workspace-oriented AI app | They overlap but start from different jobs. |
| Best beginner use | ChatGPT-like local interface over Ollama | Document-oriented workspace | Choose by workflow. |
| Setup | Manage a browser service, commonly with Docker, and connect a model provider | Choose the desktop app for one computer or a self-hosted deployment for shared use | The AnythingLLM desktop route avoids maintaining a separate browser server. |
| Local model support | Yes when connected to local providers such as Ollama | Yes depending on selected provider | Provider selection controls locality. |
| Document workflows | Yes, including file/knowledge workflows | Yes, core product category | AnythingLLM is more document-workspace centered. |
| Privacy caveat | Cloud providers and exposed server settings change risk | Cloud providers, telemetry, and workspace storage change risk | Audit the whole workflow. |
| Best paired with | Ollama, local APIs, browser UI workflows | Local models, document workspaces, RAG workflows | Different stacks, not direct substitutes. |
Choose Open WebUI if
- you already use Ollama;
- you want a browser UI;
- you want a familiar chat workspace;
- you are comfortable with Docker, ports, and server settings;
- you want to control providers and models centrally.
Choose AnythingLLM if
- document chat is the main job;
- you want a workspace-style organization layer;
- you want a tool that is oriented around files, knowledge bases, and agents;
- you are willing to verify provider and storage settings before sensitive use.
Privacy warning
A local interface is not the same as a local workflow. Check the model provider, embedding provider, document storage, workspace storage, telemetry, web access, server exposure, and API keys before uploading sensitive files.