Chatbot UI (by McKay Wrigley) is a well-known open-source ChatGPT-style web interface for OpenAI and compatible APIs. Askimo is a native desktop AI studio. If you are using Chatbot UI today and want local history, offline support, MCP tools, local model support, or a true desktop app without server setup, Askimo is worth a look.
Chatbot UI established the template for open-source ChatGPT-style interfaces. It is a self-hosted web application that replicates the familiar ChatGPT layout with conversation folder organisation, system prompt support, and OpenAI API access. It has a large user base and is easy to customise at the code level for developers who want to roll their own deployment.
The key limitations become apparent quickly: Chatbot UI only supports OpenAI-compatible APIs (no native Claude or Gemini), stores conversation history in the browser or a self-hosted database (not locally searchable on your machine), requires a server or browser to run, and has no support for local models, RAG, MCP tools, or agent workflows. Every individual user who wants Chatbot UI needs someone to host it for them, or must run the stack themselves.
Askimo addresses all of these gaps without requiring a server for personal use. The Personal Edition is a native desktop app: bring your own OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, or Grok API key (or point it at a local Ollama server), and you have a full AI studio with RAG over your own files, MCP tools for file system and git access, Skills for running Claude Code or Gemini CLI on your project directories, and AI Plans for automation. Conversation history is stored on your machine and fully searchable. For teams who want a shared server setup similar to Chatbot UI, Askimo Team provides centrally managed API keys and shared infrastructure.
An honest look at what each tool does well. The right choice depends on your workflow.
Open-source ChatGPT-style web interface for OpenAI and compatible APIs
Desktop AI studio for local and cloud models
A clear decision guide based on your actual workflow needs.
Switching from Chatbot UI?
Moving from Chatbot UI to Askimo means gaining a native desktop app with your own API keys, local model support, and significantly more features. Your Chatbot UI conversation history (stored in browser local storage or your self-hosted database) cannot be automatically imported, but you can start fresh with the same OpenAI API key.
Understand the cost model before committing to either tool.
Free and open source. Personal Edition is free for individual use with bring-your-own API keys, no server required. Askimo Team (self-hosted Docker with managed keys) available for teams.
Free and open source. No paid tiers, but you bear infrastructure costs for self-hosting.
Side-by-side breakdown. Based on publicly documented features as of 2026.
| Feature | 🤖 Askimo Desktop AI Studio | 💬 Chatbot UI Competitor |
|---|---|---|
| Native desktop app (no browser needed) | ||
| Bring your own API keys (no server) | Requires self-hosting | |
| Team server with managed API keys | Team Edition | Self-hosted only |
| Local model support (Ollama) | ||
| Cloud provider support (OpenAI, Claude, Gemini) | OpenAI-compatible only | |
| RAG over your own documents | ||
| MCP tools (file, git, web, APIs) | ||
| AI agent runtime (Skills) | ||
| AI Plans (multi-step workflows) | ||
| Local conversation history & search | Browser local storage only | |
| Works fully offline | ||
| Self-hostable | Team Edition | |
| Conversation folder organisation | ||
| Free & open source |
Based on publicly documented features as of 2026. Capabilities evolve, check each project's docs for the latest.
Free, open source, and runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux. Connect Ollama, OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, and more in a single desktop app with RAG, MCP tools, Skills, and AI Plans.
Index your docs and query them in any conversation.
Connect AI to your file system, git, and APIs.
Run AI agents on your local project files.
Chain prompts into multi-step automated workflows.
Ollama, OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, Grok in one app.
All conversations stored locally. Searchable, exportable.
Free and open source · No account required · macOS, Windows, Linux
Common questions when evaluating Askimo and Chatbot UI.
For most individual users, yes. Askimo covers everything Chatbot UI does for OpenAI access, and adds native desktop performance, bring-your-own-key flexibility, local model support, RAG, MCP tools, and agent runtimes. The main reason to stay on Chatbot UI is if you need a self-hosted web interface accessible to multiple users on a shared server.
Yes. Askimo connects to the OpenAI API directly using your own API key, so any model available via the API is available in Askimo: the same models you use in Chatbot UI.
Chatbot UI is an open-source project that has gone through several major versions. For current maintenance status, check the GitHub repository directly. Askimo is actively maintained with regular feature releases.
Yes, when using local models through Ollama or LM Studio. Askimo also stores all conversation history locally, so your past conversations are available offline regardless of provider.
Yes. Askimo has native RAG support through its Projects feature: index local folders, files (text, PDF, Office formats), or web URLs and attach them to any conversation. Chatbot UI does not support RAG.
Both are free and open source. Chatbot UI requires you to host it yourself or use someone else's deployment. Askimo Personal is a desktop installer with no server required: you bring your own API keys. Askimo Team adds Docker-based self-hosted deployment with centrally managed keys for teams as a paid option.
Provider pages, more comparisons, and Askimo features.
