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Open WebUI
What it is
Open WebUI is a self-hosted interface for working with local and cloud AI models, built to run entirely offline. It connects to Ollama and OpenAI-compatible APIs, and installation options include Docker, pip, uv, and desktop setup. The product lists voice, vision, retrieval, generation, search, and Python extensions, alongside web search, file uploads, image generation, mobile apps, integrations, and team workspaces. Its extension options include Filters, Actions, Pipes, Tools, and Skills, with connections through MCP, MCPO, and OpenAPI tool servers. For knowledge retrieval, the project describes local RAG with nine vector databases, multiple content-extraction engines, hybrid search, reranking, and full-context mode. Organizations can deploy it on-premises, in a private cloud, or in an air-gapped environment. Chats and related data are stored in the database and storage configured by the operator, though configured external providers, tools, model endpoints, or integrations can route data externally. The software is free to use as-is with original branding intact; deployments with more than 50 users must keep that branding unless an exception applies.
For and against
For
- Connects to Ollama and OpenAI-compatible APIs
- Includes web search, file uploads, and image generation
- Supports team workspaces and app integrations
- Offers multiple self-hosted deployment settings
Against
- External services can receive data when configured
- Deployments over 50 users must retain branding unless an exception applies
- Compliance responsibility rests with the deploying organization
The verdict
Open WebUI brings model connections, retrieval, search, extensions, and collaboration into a self-hosted interface. Its free use keeps original branding, and configured external services affect where data is routed.
Who it suits
It suits individuals and organizations seeking a self-hosted interface for local or cloud models, with setup options ranging from desktop installation to Docker. Organizations can deploy it on-premises, in a private cloud, or in an air-gapped environment.
Plans and prices
Open WebUI
Free to use as-is; internal use with original branding intact; branding changes for deployments with 50 or fewer users
Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.openwebui.com
On the record
- Audience
- The enterprise page describes Open WebUI as designed for organizations from startups to Fortune 500 companies and offers enterprise licensing to registered entities and organizations.docs.openwebui.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Branding limit
- The license page says deployments with more than 50 users must keep Open WebUI branding visible unless they meet an exception such as holding an enterprise license that permits branding changes.docs.openwebui.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Compliance
- Open WebUI says its self-hosted architecture can provide technical controls for regulated deployments, while compliance responsibility rests with the deploying organization.docs.openwebui.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Organizations can deploy Open WebUI on-premises, in a private cloud, or in an air-gapped environment.docs.openwebui.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Features
- The product site lists voice, vision, retrieval, generation, search, and Python extensions among its built-in capabilities.openwebui.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- File uploads
- Yesdocs.openwebui.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Image generation
- Yesdocs.openwebui.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- App integrations
- Yesdocs.openwebui.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Knowledge retrieval
- The project describes local RAG with nine vector databases, multiple content-extraction engines, hybrid search, reranking, and full-context mode.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Mobile apps
- Yesdocs.openwebui.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Model connections
- Open WebUI supports Ollama and OpenAI-compatible APIs, including connections to local and cloud-based models.docs.openwebui.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- The project supports Filters, Actions, Pipes, Tools, and Skills, and describes connections through MCP, MCPO, and OpenAPI tool servers.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Chats, files, knowledge bases, embeddings, users, permissions, and logs are stored in the database and storage the operator configures; data is routed externally when external providers, tools, model endpoints, or integrations are configured.openwebui.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- Open WebUI is a self-hosted AI interface for local and cloud models, built to run entirely offline.docs.openwebui.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Security controls
- The security documentation lists LDAP and Active Directory, OIDC and OAuth 2.0 SSO, role-based permissions, model-level permissions, and workspace isolation.docs.openwebui.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Setup
- The docs provide Docker, pip, uv, and desktop installation options, and recommend Docker or Python for production deployments.docs.openwebui.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- Enterprise support can include a dedicated account manager, core-engineer office hours, dedicated support channels, and consulting; the page says guidance is provided rather than implementation services.docs.openwebui.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Team workspace
- Yesdocs.openwebui.com · read 20 Sep 2026
