Is there a private alternative to the ChatGPT Mac app?

Grux OS runs on a local model through Ollama, so nothing you ask leaves your Mac, and it has no account. For plain chat, Jan and Enchanted are open source options.

Does ChatGPT train on my chats?

OpenAI's pricing page lists content as used to train its models on the Free, Go, Plus and Pro plans, with an opt-out available.

Can Grux OS use my ChatGPT plan?

No. Grux OS Chat runs on your own Anthropic API key or on a local model through Ollama. A ChatGPT subscription does not carry over to it.

Grux OS or the ChatGPT desktop app: what is the difference?

The ChatGPT desktop app and Grux OS answer different needs. ChatGPT's Mac app runs on OpenAI's hosted models through your ChatGPT plan: there is a Free plan, paid Go, Plus and Pro plans unlock more, and its desktop agent features are limited on Free. On the individual plans, OpenAI's own pricing page says content is used to train its models unless you opt out. Grux OS is a free, open source (MIT) agent for macOS with no account and no Grux server. It can run on a local Ollama model, so nothing you ask leaves the Mac, or on your own API key. From one Command Panel it acts on the mail, calendar, files and meetings already on your Mac, with a shell whose every command can be undone. Choose ChatGPT for OpenAI's latest models. Choose Grux for a private, local agent you can read and change.

Grux OS 3.0.0 · last checked 2026-09-30 · generated from the shipping release

Side by side

	Grux OS	ChatGPT desktop app
Source	Open source, MIT	Closed source, by OpenAI
Models	A local Ollama model, or your own Anthropic key	OpenAI's hosted models
Price	$0 with a local model	Free plan, or paid Go, Plus and Pro plans
Training on your content	No Grux server, so nothing to train on	Used to train models on individual plans unless you opt out
Works with your Mac	Mail, calendar, contacts, notes, files, meetings and an undoable shell	Desktop agent features, limited on the Free plan
Can you change the app	Yes, through your own coding agent	No

ChatGPT's details are from OpenAI's pricing page, read on 2 October 2026. Plans and limits change, so check it before you decide.

Where ChatGPT is the better choice

You want OpenAI's newest models and features the day they ship.
You want the same chats on the web, on your phone and on your Mac.
You do not want to run or choose a model yourself.

Where Grux OS is the better choice

Privacy by construction: with a local model nothing leaves the Mac, and there is no Grux account or server.
Guard rails on actions: only you answer a workflow's question, and a dry run changes nothing outside Grux.
It is yours: MIT licensed, and changed by your own coding agent with your yes.

Where to check this

Claim	Source
Grux OS is a free, open source (MIT) agent with no account and no Grux server	README, Privacy posture
It can run on a local Ollama model, or on your own API key	README, Requirements
It acts on the mail, calendar, files and meetings already on your Mac	README, What it actually does
It runs a shell whose every command can be undone	README, intro
ChatGPT's desktop agent features are limited on the Free plan	OpenAI pricing page (archived)
ChatGPT content is used to train OpenAI models unless you opt out	OpenAI Help Center (archived)

Questions

Is there a private alternative to the ChatGPT Mac app?: Grux OS runs on a local model through Ollama, so nothing you ask leaves your Mac, and it has no account. For plain chat, Jan and Enchanted are open source options.
Does ChatGPT train on my chats?: OpenAI's pricing page lists content as used to train its models on the Free, Go, Plus and Pro plans, with an opt-out available.
Can Grux OS use my ChatGPT plan?: No. Grux OS Chat runs on your own Anthropic API key or on a local model through Ollama. A ChatGPT subscription does not carry over to it.

Download Grux 3.0.0 Read the source

Free, MIT licensed. macOS 14 or later, Apple silicon. 23.7 MB, signed and notarized by Apple. No account, no server, no subscription.