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Chatbox

A desktop chat client that keeps your conversations on your own device and talks to the model you choose.

Instead of ChatGPT, Claude

S · ToolOpen sourceDesktop appWorks with local models
github.com/chatboxai/chatbox
Screenshot of the Chatbox website

Screenshot from github.com/chatboxai/chatbox, taken 2026-10-30, shown to help you recognise the tool. It belongs to its maker. Ask us to remove it.

A chat client is a modest idea, a window that lets you talk to whichever model you like, and Chatbox is a good example of keeping it modest. The README says your data remains on your device, and that it is open-sourced under the GPLv3 licence. Desktop builds exist for Windows, Mac and Linux, and the page mentions a web version and native iOS and Android apps.

Chatbox scores a 5 on lock-in and self-direction, a 4 on footprint and delivery and a 3 on power and longevity.

The README is titled Chatbox Community Edition and names no company, only an email contact, so we cannot say who pays for the work or whether another edition exists. The page states no price and no telemetry position. Longevity is a 3 because the page does not say who stands behind it, and we have not tested the apps.

    What stands out

  • Desktop chat client for models you choose, with data kept on your device
  • GPLv3, titled Community Edition
  • The page names no company and states no price
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For comparison, we also reviewed ChatGPT (14/30) and Claude (15/30) as a benchmark.

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