Jan alternative: give your conversations room to branch.
Jan is a natural candidate when downloaded models and offline inference are the priority. Consider CocoCroco when your main need is to follow related conversations with your chosen providers and keep the project organized.
By CocoCroco · Research reviewed September 10, 2026
A guide from CocoCroco, a competing AI chat app. Recommendations are editorial judgments based on first-party product documentation.
Is switching worth it?
Local chat storage is not the same thing as local inference. CocoCroco saves boards on your device, but a request to a cloud provider still sends the prompt and relevant context to that provider. It does not bundle an offline model.
Consider Jan if…
Running downloaded models locally and offline is the center of your AI setup.
You want a desktop app that can mix local models, cloud providers, custom endpoints, and a local API server.
Try CocoCroco if…
Your work develops into several related conversations.
You want to branch from a message with its earlier context.
You want chats, notes, and code together on the canvas of a board.
Start with one conversation. Explore two directions.
Start with an architecture question, branch into two implementation options, and place a decision note beside the original constraints.
In CocoCroco, a branch starts from a message or selected passage with the earlier conversation as context. The original thread stays intact, and the new chat stays visibly linked to its origin. Your board can hold the supporting notes and code as the project grows.
The useful test is simple: can you return later and understand why the work split? A spatial view should make the project easier to navigate, not just look different.
Before leaving Jan
Decide whether offline generation is mandatory. If it is, verify your model runtime and connection before comparing interface features.
Try one small project in CocoCroco with your intended provider.
Branch at a useful message and continue both conversations.
Keep your original chats. Verify any export format before assuming it imports elsewhere.
CocoCroco supports its own export/import workflow. This guide does not promise direct migration from Jan.
Questions before you choose
What does the free app include?
The free browser app includes unlimited chats, 4 boards, 2 personas, and 2 prompts. You bring your own API key and pay your provider for AI usage separately.
Do I need to install the desktop app?
No. You can start in the browser without an account or credit card. Pro costs $97 once and adds browser upgrades, unlimited libraries, and Windows/Linux desktop access.
Where are my conversations stored?
Saved work stays locally on your device. When you send a message, the prompt and relevant context go to your selected AI provider. There is no automatic cloud sync; export/import moves boards between devices.
What if your work needs room to branch?
Try CocoCroco alongside Jan with one real task. Bring your provider keys, branch where the discussion gets interesting, and keep the related chats, notes, and code visible together.
