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Ollama is used to download, run, and serve large language models locally, with optional cloud access for hosted model inference.
The local Ollama runtime is free to use. Ollama also offers paid cloud plans for hosted model access and higher usage.
When models run locally, prompts can stay on the user's machine or infrastructure. Cloud usage, connected tools, and deployment choices should be reviewed separately.
Yes. Ollama provides local API endpoints and compatibility options for tools that use OpenAI-style chat and model workflows.
It may be useful in regulated environments as part of a controlled local deployment, but compliance depends on the full architecture and should be validated by the organization.
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Last verified March 2026