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AI app builders that run on your own machine
The common shape for an AI app builder is a website: you type a prompt, it runs on the vendor's servers, and your project lives in their account. Adrian is a desktop application, which changes what you are trusting and what you are paying for.
| Adrian | The usual shape | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | A desktop application on your machine. Windows today; macOS and Linux are not released yet. | A website. The build happens on the vendor's servers. |
| Where your code lives | In a folder you chose, on your disk. | In a project on the vendor's platform, usually with an export or a Git sync. |
| Which model runs it | A local model through Ollama, or your own API key. You can see and change the assignment per role. | Whatever the vendor has selected, billed through them. |
| What it costs to run | Nothing on local models. Your provider's own rates on your own key, with no cut taken. | A subscription, usually metered in the vendor's own credit or token unit. |
| Works offline | Yes, on local models. Unplug the network mid-build and it keeps going. | No — the model is remote by definition. |
When Adrian is the better choice
- Your code or your clients' code should not sit on a third party's servers.
- You already pay a model provider and would rather not pay a second margin on top of it.
- You want to build with no account, no key and no bill, on hardware you already own.
- You want to choose the model per role rather than accept one that was chosen for you.
When it is not
- You are on macOS or Linux. Adrian has not shipped there yet, and a browser tab does not care what you run.
- You want the finished thing deployed and hosted for you. Adrian's deploy stage is still roadmap; a hosted builder does this today.
- Your machine cannot hold a capable model and you would rather not manage an API key.
- You want to build from any machine without installing anything.
The desktop app is free with local models or your own API key. Windows today — macOS and Linux are not released yet, and the build is unsigned, so Windows shows a SmartScreen warning on first run.