Google's Gemma brings the research behind Gemini to open-weight models you can run entirely on your own hardware. Most users access it through a browser or terminal and never tap into its full potential.
Askimo App gives Gemma a full desktop workspace: persistent chat history, local file search (RAG), multi-step AI Plans, MCP tool integrations, and seamless switching between Gemma and Google Gemini API or other cloud providers, all without leaving the app.
Gemma is Google's family of open-weight language models, built on the same research and technology behind Gemini. Released for research and commercial use under a permissive license, Gemma models are compact, efficient, and designed to run well on consumer hardware via Ollama.
Developer
License
Gemma Terms of Use
Best For
Google-quality AI locally
Askimo is not a thin wrapper. It's a local AI workspace that lets you run Gemma privately while also switching to Google Gemini API when you need the full cloud model.
Built as a true desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Fast, responsive, and works fully offline with no browser or server required.
Seamless model selection, endpoint configuration, and switching. See the Ollama provider setup guide for full details.
Index your project files, PDFs, and documents with Apache Lucene + jvector. The model answers questions grounded in your own knowledge base.
Use the visual interface for daily work and the Askimo CLI for scripting and automation. Same provider config, seamless switching.
Chain multiple prompts into automated workflows (research, summarise, write) all in one click. No copy-pasting between windows.
All conversations and files stay on your device. No telemetry, no cloud sync, no data collection. Learn more about Askimo security.
Running Gemma through Askimo takes under 5 minutes.
Run ollama pull gemma3 in your terminal.
Launch Askimo App and choose Ollama as your provider. Set the endpoint to http://localhost:11434.
Select Gemma from the model list. Chat locally, index your documents with RAG, or switch to the Gemini API provider when you need the full cloud model.
CLI example:
askimo --provider ollama --model gemma3 -p "Explain this concept simply" A fair feature comparison of the three most common ways to run Gemma locally in 2026.
| Feature | Askimo App | Ollama CLI | Open WebUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual chat interface | |||
| RAG (chat with your own files) | |||
| Multi-provider support (Ollama + cloud) | |||
| Conversation history and search | |||
| Open source (OSI-approved license) | |||
| Run models fully locally (100% private) | |||
| Native desktop app (no server or browser) | |||
| Works fully offline (no server process) | |||
| CLI interface for scripting | |||
| Local code block execution (Python, Bash) | |||
| MCP tools (file, git, web, APIs) | Partial | ||
| AI Plans (chained multi-step prompts) | |||
| Server-side pipelines / automation | Team edition (coming soon) | ||
| Multi-user / team features | Team edition (coming soon) | ||
| Web browser access (no app install) |
checkmark = included · x = not available · text = partial support. Based on publicly documented features as of 2026. Open WebUI uses a proprietary license (not OSI open source). Ollama CLI is open source (MIT).
Real workflows that benefit from running Gemma in a full desktop workspace.
Use Gemma locally for sensitive tasks, then switch to Google Gemini API in Askimo when you need the full cloud model. Same app, same chat history, different privacy level.
Index PDFs, reports, and notes with Askimo RAG. Ask Gemma questions about your own documents without sending anything to Google. Everything stays on your machine.
Gemma's strong safety tuning and clear explanations make it ideal for research and education. Chain questions into AI Plans to explore topics step by step.
Common questions about running Gemma locally with a desktop GUI.
Askimo App is the most full-featured desktop client for Gemma in 2026. It provides a native app for macOS, Windows, and Linux with local RAG, MCP tools, AI Plans, persistent chat history, and the unique ability to switch between local Gemma (via Ollama) and Google Gemini API, all in the same app.
Gemini is Google's flagship cloud AI model, available via API. Gemma is the open-weight version you can download and run locally. Gemma is built on similar research but is smaller and designed for on-device use. With Askimo you can use both: Gemma locally via Ollama, and Gemini via API, and switch between them per-conversation.
Yes. Once you pull the Gemma model with Ollama, it runs entirely on your machine with no internet connection required. Askimo works fully offline in this mode.
Gemma 2B runs on almost any machine including older MacBooks and machines without a GPU. Gemma 9B provides a good balance of quality and speed for most hardware. Gemma 27B delivers the best quality but requires more RAM. All sizes appear in Askimo's model selector once pulled with Ollama.
Yes. Askimo supports both Ollama (for local Gemma) and the Google Gemini API provider. You can switch between them per-conversation. Your local RAG context is available regardless of which provider you use.
Step-by-step instructions for connecting Ollama to Askimo App.
Use the full Google Gemini API in Askimo App.
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Free • Open Source • Privacy-First • Works Offline