open-webui

Name: open-webui
Brand: open-webui

Self‑hosted web UI for LLM chat and retrieval‑augmented AI

softwareAI Chatbots Self-hostedLLMOllama

Visit Website

Our Verdict

Best for

Tech-savvy teams

Skip if

Non-technical users

What is open-webui?

The platform also includes document upload for retrieval‑augmented conversations, prompt and model presets, and a plugin system for extending functionality. Designed for home server admins and small businesses, it offers a free, self‑hosted solution with email and GitHub Issues support.

SpecificationsAI-estimated

deploymentSelf-hosted

open source✅ Yes

github stars145,838

api available✅ Yes

support optionsEmail, GitHub Issues

primary languagePython

Key Features of open-webui

Connects to local model runners like Ollama for on‑premise inference.

Integrates with any OpenAI‑compatible API endpoint for flexible backend choices.

Provides persistent conversation history across sessions and users.

Supports multiple user accounts with role‑based access control for team collaboration.

Allows document upload to enable retrieval‑augmented generation in chats.

Offers configurable prompt and model presets to streamline workflows.

Includes a plugin architecture for adding custom functionality or third‑party services.

Deployable via a single Docker compose file for quick setup on any server.

Use Cases for open-webui

Team Knowledge Base

Enable employees to query internal documents through AI chat.

Personal AI Assistant

Run a private LLM on a home server for daily tasks.

Developer Sandbox

Test prompts and model behavior locally before production.

Customer Support Bot

Host a self‑hosted chat assistant that accesses product manuals.

Pros & Cons of open-webui

Pros

Free and open source
Runs on your own hardware for data privacy
Supports both local runners and cloud APIs
Extensible via plugins

Cons

Requires Docker and basic sysadmin skills
Limited official support beyond community channels
Feature set may need manual configuration for advanced integrations

Frequently Asked Questions

What platforms can Open WebUI run on?

It runs in any environment that can host Docker containers, typically accessed via a web browser.

Can I use Open WebUI with cloud LLM services?

Yes, it can connect to any OpenAI‑compatible API endpoint in addition to local runners.

Is there a paid version with extra features?

All core features are free; there is no paid tier at this time.

How is user authentication handled?

Open WebUI includes built‑in user accounts with role‑based access control to manage permissions.

Pricing Overview

View full pricing →

Free

Detailed plans are not listed. Visit the official website for pricing information.

Reviews & Ratings0.0

Write a Review See all reviews →

No reviews yet. Be the first to write one!

Top Alternatives & Similar Tools

View all alternatives & similar tools →

dify

AI-suggested

Dify is an open‑source platform that lets developers and teams design, test, and deploy LLM‑powered applications using a visual canvas, Prompt IDE, and built‑in RAG pipelines. It supports hundreds of models from many providers and offers agent capabilities with function calling and ReAct tools. Available as a hosted SaaS or self‑hosted via Docker Compose, Dify provides full backend‑as‑a‑service APIs, model management, and observability, enabling quick scaling from prototype to production for engineering teams.

Compare with open-webui

AnythingLLM