Open WebUI
Also: open-webui
A chat interface you can host yourself. It connects to a model service, which may be local or remote.
The fuller definition
Open WebUI is a self-hosted, browser-based chat interface for local models. It runs on your machine and connects to Ollama or any OpenAI-compatible local server.
- Browser
Chat window
- Open WebUI
Runs locally
- Engine
Ollama or llama.cpp
A simplified relationship, not a screenshot or a complete design.
A concrete example
After pip install open-webui and open-webui serve, a chat window opens at localhost:8080 in the browser.
The distinction that matters
It is a front-end only; it needs an engine such as Ollama or llama.cpp underneath.
Related terms
Ollama
Software for downloading and running AI models. It can run local models, but you still need to check which model and service you chose.
Products & model familiesllama.cpp
Software that runs AI models on your machine. Many local chat apps use it behind the scenes.
APIs & softwareAnythingLLM
A desktop app for chatting with your own documents using a local model.
Where it is taught
APIs and JSON: connect a model to a small programSource and further reading
MDN · Web technology glossaryThe definition and example are written for this library. The link gives background, official documentation or legal authority as labelled. Legal scope depends on the jurisdiction and current text; product features depend on release and settings.