More AI vs Ollama
Ollama is an open-source tool for running AI models locally on your machine. More AI is a desktop assistant that can use a local model served by Ollama — and cloud providers — with a coding agent, document generation and scheduled routines.
Ollama is an open-source tool for running large language models locally. It pulls models, runs them on your machine and exposes a local API — it’s the engine many people use to keep AI fully on-device.
More AI is the assistant that sits on top: a desktop app with Chat, Cowork and Code modes that can connect to a local model (including one served by Ollama) and to cloud providers. Rather than competing, they pair well — Ollama runs the model, More AI gives you a full app to work in.
| More AI | Ollama | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Desktop assistant: chat, documents and a coding agent | A tool/runtime for running local models |
| Interface | Native desktop app (GUI) | Command-line and local API (with a desktop app) |
| Models | Cloud providers (BYOK) and local models | Local models you pull and run |
| What you pay | Free app; you pay your provider per use, at cost | Free, open source |
| Where data lives | On your machine, in local storage | On your machine |
| Agent features | Cowork (files & documents), Code (repositories), routines | None — it serves the model |
| Works together | Can use an Ollama model as its local backend | Provides the local model More AI can use |
What is Ollama?
Ollama is an open-source tool that makes it easy to run AI models locally. You pull a model and run it on your own machine, and it exposes a local API that other applications can talk to. It’s free, open source and fully on-device.
It’s infrastructure rather than a full app: brilliant for running local models, but on its own it’s a runtime and a basic interface, not an agentic assistant.
What is More AI?
More AI is a free desktop assistant with Chat, Cowork (read and edit files, generate Word/Excel/PowerPoint documents) and Code (a planning coding agent for your repositories), plus scheduled routines. It connects to cloud providers with your own keys and to local models.
Crucially, More AI can point at a local model — including one served by Ollama — so you get a polished, agentic app on top of your local engine, with your data kept on your machine.
When Ollama is the better choice
Ollama is the better pick in clear cases.
- You want a lightweight runtime to pull and serve local models.
- You’re building your own tools against a local API.
- You prefer the command line and don’t need an app around the model.
When More AI fits better
More AI fits when you want a full assistant — and you can use both.
- You want chat, documents and a coding agent, not just a model endpoint.
- You want a graphical app with scheduled routines and an approval model.
- You want to mix local models with cloud providers in one place.
- You can keep using Ollama as the local backend behind More AI.
FAQ
Can More AI use Ollama?
Yes. More AI can connect to a local model, including one served by Ollama — so you keep everything on-device and use More AI as the assistant on top.
Is More AI a replacement for Ollama?
Not exactly — they work at different layers. Ollama runs the model; More AI is the app you work in. Many people use them together.
Do I need cloud models to use More AI?
No. You can run fully offline with a local model, or add your own cloud provider keys when you want more capable models.
Do I need an account?
No — More AI works fully without one. An optional free account only powers cross-device sync.