Hob
Hob is a desktop app that runs open-weight AI models on your own computer for private, offline use, including filling out PDFs and working through documents.
What it is good for
- Keeping private documents off the cloud while using AI
- Filling out PDF forms with help from AI
- Using an AI assistant without an internet connection
- Setting up a local AI model without technical steps
At a glance
- Who it is for
- Setup
- Install a desktop app or browser extension
Level 3 of 5. Download and install it like any other app or extension.
- Cost
- Free and open source
- Type
- Agent app
- Tasks
- Works with
- Mac, Windows, Linux, MCP
Momentum
- Rank this week
- #30
- Best rank
- #30 week 44, 2026
- Stars gained last week
- +435
- GitHub stars
- 435
GitHub numbers as of Nov 2, 2026. Updated weekly.
On Hacker News
- Show HN: Hob - Open-source, on device alternative to Claude Cowork and ChatGPT 177 points, 43 comments, Oct 26, 2026
Ranking history
Official links
Setup steps are on the official pages. We do not repeat them here, since they change.
Questions
- Is Hob free?
- Yes. It is free and open source (MIT license).
- Do I need to know how to code to use Hob?
- No. Download and install it like any other app or extension.
- What does Hob work with?
- According to its own documentation, it works with Mac, Windows, Linux, and MCP.
- What is Hob good for?
- Keeping private documents off the cloud while using AI, filling out PDF forms with help from AI, using an AI assistant without an internet connection, and setting up a local AI model without technical steps.
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