{ "data": { "a": { "slug": "docker-model-runner", "name": "Docker Model Runner", "vendor": "Docker, Inc.", "vendorUrl": "https://www.docker.com", "kind": "http-api", "category": "local-ai", "summary": "Docker's open-source tool for pulling and running open models from Docker Hub, OCI registries or Hugging Face. It runs through Docker Desktop, Docker Engine or a standalone `dmr` binary, with local OpenAI-, Anthropic- and Ollama-compatible APIs.", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/docker-model-runner", "markdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/docker-model-runner.md", "slimMarkdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/docker-model-runner.min.md", "jsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/docker-model-runner.json", "repo": "https://github.com/docker/model-runner", "license": "Apache-2.0 (server, CLI plugin and `dmr` binary). Docker Desktop, which bundles it, is closed software under Docker's subscription agreement, and each model carries its own licence", "transports": [ "http" ], "packages": [ { "registry": "oci", "name": "docker.io/docker/model-runner" } ], "auth": "none", "authNotes": "The API takes no credential, and the docs say it ignores any key sent. Per the docs, any client that can reach it, including other containers on the same Docker network, can pull, load and run models. In Docker Desktop, host-side TCP is off until enabled in settings or with `docker desktop enable model-runner --tcp \u003cport\u003e`, and containers reach the API at model-runner.docker.internal. In Docker Engine, TCP is on by default on port 12434. Cross-origin requests get 403 unless the origin is localhost, 127.0.0.1, 0.0.0.0 or listed in `DMR_ORIGINS` (https://docs.docker.com/ai/model-runner/; https://github.com/docker/model-runner/blob/main/pkg/envconfig/envconfig.go).", "pricing": "free", "pricingNotes": "Free under Apache-2.0, with no account needed for the Docker Engine plugin or the standalone `dmr` binary. On macOS and Windows it also ships inside Docker Desktop, which is free for personal use, non-commercial open-source projects and businesses with fewer than 250 employees and under US $10,000,000 in annual revenue. Larger organisations need a paid Docker plan for Desktop (https://www.docker.com/legal/docker-subscription-service-agreement/; https://www.docker.com/pricing/, checked 2026-10-08).", "priceSummary": "Free · OSS", "where": "local", "x402": { "level": "no", "evidence": "No x402, MPP or L402 in the docs or the source (checked 2026-10-08).", "endpoints": [] }, "toolCount": null, "popularity": { "githubStars": 656, "npmWeekly": null, "pypiWeekly": null, "asOf": "2026-10-08" }, "docsUrl": "https://docs.docker.com/ai/model-runner/", "llmsTxt": "https://docs.docker.com/llms.txt", "capabilities": [ "inference.local", "inference.open-weights", "inference.llm", "embed.text", "rerank", "image.generate" ], "tags": [ "open-source", "local", "self-hosted", "free", "no-card", "openai-compatible", "llms-txt", "docker", "go", "no-auth" ], "lastRelease": "2026-08-12", "graded": true, "anchor": { "graded": true, "score": 57.1, "grade": "C", "agentReady": false, "rank": 428, "ranked": true, "rankOf": 629, "categoryRank": 5, "methodology": "0.4", "run": "2026-10-01", "scores": { "ergonomics": 58, "maintenance": 55, "payments": 60, "reliability": 85, "schema": 49, "security": 40, "transparency": 73 }, "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "assessment": { "confidence": "medium", "date": "2026-10-08" }, "negative": -3, "negativeNotes": [ "2026-02-27. GHSA-m456-c56c-hh5c (CVE-2026-28400, 7.5). The unauthenticated `/engines/_configure` route accepted arbitrary runtime flags, so a caller, including a container on Docker Desktop, could overwrite files the runner could reach, the Desktop VM disk among them. Fixed in Model Runner 1.0.16 and Docker Desktop 4.61.0 and published by Docker, more than six months ago, -2. https://github.com/docker/model-runner/security/advisories/GHSA-m456-c56c-hh5c", "2026-03-30. GHSA-x2f5-332j-9xwq (CVE-2026-33990, 7.1). A malicious OCI registry could point the token exchange at an internal URL and make the runner send GET requests to host-local services. Fixed in 1.1.25 and Docker Desktop 4.67.0 and published by Docker, more than six months ago, -1. https://github.com/docker/model-runner/security/advisories/GHSA-x2f5-332j-9xwq" ], "verdict": "CI passes on the main branch, and Docker has published two security advisories with CVEs and fixed versions for the project. The API takes no credential, so any client or container that reaches it can pull, delete and run models, and the documentation has no OpenAPI file or error reference.", "bestFor": "A team that already runs Docker and wants local models served to containers and Compose services through OpenAI-, Anthropic- or Ollama-compatible routes, with models stored as OCI artefacts.", "strengths": [ "OpenAI-, Anthropic- and Ollama-compatible routes on one local port, so existing clients for those three APIs work with a changed base URL", "CI runs lint, race-detector tests and end-to-end tests on every push to main, and the ten most recent runs on main passed on 8 October 2026", "Two GitHub security advisories with CVE numbers, fixed versions and workarounds, and a SECURITY.md that promises an acknowledgement within 72 hours", "Apache-2.0 source, and the docs list what usage data is collected with a link to the code that sends it", "Host-side TCP is off by default in Docker Desktop, and inference engines run sandboxed on macOS and Windows or in a container on Linux" ], "weaknesses": [ "No credential on the API. The docs say any client that can reach it, including other containers, can pull, load and run models", "No OpenAPI file, no error reference and no rate-limit or retry guidance in the reviewed documentation", "Two releases in the 90 days to 8 October 2026 (v1.2.7 and v1.2.8), the latest on 12 August", "CVE-2026-28400 let an unauthenticated caller overwrite files, including the Docker Desktop VM disk, until 1.0.16 in February 2026", "On Docker Engine the docs say model-name requests go to Docker Hub regardless of settings, and the `DO_NOT_TRACK` switch in the source is undocumented" ], "agentNotes": [ "Use base URL `http://localhost:12434/engines/v1` for OpenAI clients and `http://localhost:12434` for Anthropic and Ollama clients. Any API key value is accepted", "In Docker Desktop, run `docker desktop enable model-runner --tcp 12434` first. Host-side TCP is off by default", "From a container, call `http://model-runner.docker.internal` on Docker Desktop or `http://172.17.0.1:12434` on Docker Engine", "Raise the context before agent work with `docker model configure --context-size \u003cn\u003e \u003cmodel\u003e`. The llama.cpp default is 4,096 tokens", "Name models with their namespace, such as `ai/smollm2`, and expect plain-text error bodies with a 400, 404, 500 or 503 status" ], "metrics": { "kind": "local", "measured": false }, "reviewCount": 0, "avgRating": 0, "history": [ { "basis": "public evidence", "confidence": "medium", "grade": "C", "methodology": "0.4", "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "run": "2026-10-01", "runLabel": "October 2026 research run", "score": 57.1 } ], "editorialScores": { "ergonomics": 58, "maintenance": 55, "payments": 60, "reliability": 85, "schema": 49, "security": 40, "transparency": 62 }, "provenanceScore": 84 }, "connect": { "install": "sudo apt-get update \u0026\u0026 sudo apt-get install docker-model-plugin # Docker Engine on Ubuntu or Debian; Docker Desktop: docker desktop enable model-runner --tcp 12434\ndocker model pull ai/smollm2", "http": "curl http://localhost:12434/engines/v1/chat/completions \\\n -H \"Content-Type: application/json\" \\\n -d '{\n \"model\": \"ai/smollm2\",\n \"messages\": [{\"role\": \"user\", \"content\": \"Say hello in one sentence.\"}]\n }'", "claudeCode": "docker model launch claude" }, "letme": { "capability": "https://letme.dev/inference.local", "tool": "https://letme.dev/docker-model-runner" }, "sameCompany": [ "docker-agent" ], "area": "models", "provenance": { "legalEntity": "Docker, Inc.", "domain": "docker.com", "domainRegistered": "1995-01-25", "endpointOnVendorDomain": null, "terms": "https://www.docker.com/legal/docker-subscription-service-agreement/", "privacy": "https://www.docker.com/legal/privacy/", "statusPage": "", "changelog": "https://github.com/docker/model-runner/releases", "securityTxt": "valid", "checked": "2026-10-08", "notes": [ "The repository is under GitHub's docker organisation and SECURITY.md sends reports to security@docker.com. The subscription agreement and privacy policy both name Docker, Inc.", "Docker publishes no terms written for Model Runner. The Docker Subscription Service Agreement (last updated 26 August 2026) governs Docker Desktop, which bundles it, and the privacy policy carries the same date. The Engine plugin and the `dmr` binary are under Apache-2.0 only.", "www.docker.com/.well-known/security.txt gives security@docker.com, a policy URL and an expiry of 1 January 2030.", "No status page is listed because the software runs on the owner's machine.", "RDAP for docker.com gives a registration date of 1995-01-25." ], "score": 84 }, "pageJsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/docker-model-runner.json", "live": { "slug": "docker-model-runner", "pages": [ { "url": "https://www.docker.com/pricing/", "kind": "pricing", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-08T18:27:30.95553924Z", "changedAt": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z", "fingerprint": "308829465f88" }, { "url": "https://www.docker.com/legal/docker-subscription-service-agreement/", "kind": "terms", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-08T18:27:24.912652297Z", "changedAt": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z", "fingerprint": "f8cfdf3308dd" } ], "updatedAt": "2026-10-08T18:27:30.95553924Z" } }, "answer": "Docker Model Runner scores 57.1 (C) on agent readiness against Jan's 51.3 (D), and leads in 4 of 7 scored categories. Jan leads on schema \u0026 documentation.", "b": { "slug": "jan", "name": "Jan", "vendor": "Menlo Research", "vendorUrl": "https://jan.ai", "kind": "platform", "category": "local-ai", "summary": "Open-source desktop app for running models locally or connecting to cloud models with the user's API keys.", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/jan", "markdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/jan.md", "slimMarkdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/jan.min.md", "jsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/jan.json", "repo": "https://github.com/janhq/jan", "license": "Apache-2.0", "transports": [ "http" ], "packages": [], "auth": "api-key", "authNotes": "The Local API Server takes one optional key set in Settings, empty by default, sent as `Authorization: Bearer` or `X-Api-Key`. There are no scopes and no keys per client. It binds to 127.0.0.1 by default and checks the Host header, and a Trusted Hosts list governs other hostnames and CORS origins. In 0.8.4 a 0.0.0.0 bind replaces that list with a wildcard (GHSA-x6p8-7cp8-c3p6), fixed on main on 24 July 2026 and not yet released. `jan serve` takes `--api-key`, empty by default. Cloud provider keys sit in the OS keyring since 0.8.4.", "pricing": "free", "pricingNotes": "Free and Apache-2.0, with no account and nothing to buy. Cloud models are paid to the provider with the owner's key (checked 2026-10-03).", "priceSummary": "Free · OSS", "where": "local", "x402": { "level": "no", "evidence": "No x402, MPP or L402 in the docs or the source (checked 2026-10-03).", "endpoints": [] }, "toolCount": null, "popularity": { "githubStars": 44800, "npmWeekly": null, "pypiWeekly": null, "asOf": "2026-10-03" }, "docsUrl": "https://www.jan.ai/docs/desktop/api-server", "openapi": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/janhq/jan/main/src-tauri/static/openapi.json", "capabilities": [ "inference.local", "inference.open-weights", "agent.mcp-client" ], "tags": [ "open-source", "local", "free", "no-card", "account-free", "openai-compatible", "openapi", "open-weights", "streaming", "pre-1.0" ], "lastRelease": "2026-07-23", "graded": true, "anchor": { "graded": true, "score": 51.3, "grade": "D", "agentReady": false, "rank": 506, "ranked": true, "rankOf": 629, "categoryRank": 10, "methodology": "0.4", "run": "2026-10-01", "scores": { "ergonomics": 46, "maintenance": 47, "payments": 60, "reliability": 68, "schema": 56, "security": 43, "transparency": 68 }, "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "assessment": { "confidence": "medium", "date": "2026-10-03" }, "negative": -4, "negativeNotes": [ "2026-07-24. GHSA-x6p8-7cp8-c3p6. In 0.8.4, the current release, binding the Local API Server to 0.0.0.0 replaces the Trusted Hosts list with a wildcard, so any Host header is accepted and any Origin reflected with credentials allowed, which with the default empty key lets any web page the owner visits call the server. The fix landed on main on 24 July 2026, no release carries it 71 days later, and the advisory isn't published. It needs a setting the docs flag as risky, -4. https://github.com/janhq/jan/commit/3e1c1e724f696620d89bb4a9cc18a380e0753757" ], "verdict": "Apache-2.0, with installers for macOS, Windows and Linux plus Flathub and the Microsoft Store. No release since 0.8.4 on 23 July 2026, while a security fix waits on main.", "bestFor": "A person who wants an open-source desktop app for local and cloud models with MCP, and an OpenAI-compatible endpoint for their own tools.", "strengths": [ "Apache-2.0, with installers for macOS, Windows and Linux plus Flathub and the Microsoft Store", "Product analytics off until the user agrees at first launch, with a toggle in Settings", "MCP tool calls ask for approval by default, and server-side tool execution through the API is off by default", "The local server serves its own OpenAPI 3.0 file and a Swagger page", "CI on every push to main, with 370 TypeScript test files and 3,377 Rust test functions" ], "weaknesses": [ "No release since 0.8.4 on 23 July 2026, while a security fix waits on main", "One optional API key with no scopes, empty by default", "In 0.8.4 a 0.0.0.0 bind ignores Trusted Hosts and reflects any Origin (GHSA-x6p8-7cp8-c3p6)", "New Hugging Face downloads go through Menlo's mirror at apps.jan.ai, which neither privacy page mentions", "No llms.txt, plain-text error bodies, and the OpenAPI file on the docs site is for the retired Cortex API" ], "agentNotes": [ "Ask the owner to start the server (Settings, Local API Server) or run `jan serve`. Nothing listens until then", "Call http://127.0.0.1:1337/v1 for the app and localhost:6767/v1 for `jan serve`. The ports differ", "Read /openapi.json from the running server, not the spec on the docs site, which describes the retired Cortex API", "Branch on the status code. Error bodies are plain text", "Keep the bind at 127.0.0.1 on 0.8.4. Trusted Hosts is ignored on 0.0.0.0 until the next release" ], "metrics": { "kind": "local", "measured": false }, "reviewCount": 2, "avgRating": 2, "history": [ { "basis": "public evidence", "confidence": "medium", "grade": "D", "methodology": "0.4", "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "run": "2026-10-01", "runLabel": "October 2026 research run", "score": 51.3 } ], "editorialScores": { "ergonomics": 46, "maintenance": 47, "payments": 60, "reliability": 68, "schema": 56, "security": 43, "transparency": 66 }, "provenanceScore": 69 }, "connect": { "install": "flatpak install flathub ai.jan.Jan # or the macOS, Windows and Linux installers at https://jan.ai", "http": "curl http://127.0.0.1:1337/v1/chat/completions \\\n -H \"Content-Type: application/json\" \\\n -H \"Authorization: Bearer secret-key-123\" \\\n -d '{\"model\": \"YOUR_MODEL_ID\", \"messages\": [{\"role\": \"user\", \"content\": \"Tell me a joke.\"}]}'", "claudeCode": "jan launch claude --model janhq/Jan-code-4b-gguf", "headless": { "command": "jan serve janhq/Jan-code-4b-gguf --detach" } }, "letme": { "capability": "https://letme.dev/inference.local", "tool": "https://letme.dev/jan" }, "area": "models", "provenance": { "legalEntity": "Menlo Research Pte Ltd", "domain": "jan.ai", "domainRegistered": "2017-12-16", "endpointOnVendorDomain": null, "terms": "", "privacy": "https://www.jan.ai/docs/desktop/privacy-policy", "statusPage": "", "changelog": "https://www.jan.ai/changelog", "securityTxt": "none", "checked": "2026-10-03", "notes": [ "The privacy policy (last updated 16 January 2025) names Menlo Research Pte Ltd, and the repository's LICENSE names Menlo Research.", "We found no terms of use on jan.ai or in the docs source.", "jan.ai/.well-known/security.txt returns 404. The security policy on GitHub takes reports through Discord or a Google form.", "RDAP for jan.ai gives a registration date of 2017-12-16.", "There's no hosted endpoint. The server answers on the owner's machine, at 127.0.0.1:1337 by default." ], "score": 69 }, "pageJsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/jan.json", "live": { "slug": "jan", "versions": [ { "registry": "github", "name": "janhq/jan", "version": "v0.8.5", "released": "2026-10-08", "seenAt": "2026-10-08T16:17:15.879331531Z" } ], "githubStars": 44851, "securityTxt": { "url": "https://jan.ai/.well-known/security.txt", "state": "none", "checkedAt": "2026-10-08T15:38:52.885837506Z" }, "domain": { "domain": "jan.ai", "registered": "2017-12-16", "source": "https://rdap.identitydigital.services/rdap/domain/jan.ai", "checkedAt": "2026-10-04T13:05:50.9111837Z" }, "pages": [ { "url": "https://www.jan.ai/changelog", "kind": "changelog", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-08T18:28:34.483654285Z", "changedAt": "2026-10-08T18:28:34.483654285Z", "fingerprint": "f510b8593d9d" }, { "url": "https://www.jan.ai/docs/desktop/privacy-policy", "kind": "privacy", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-08T18:28:36.595444131Z", "changedAt": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z", "fingerprint": "b042b8460c35" } ], "updatedAt": "2026-10-08T18:28:36.595444131Z" } }, "facts": [ { "a": "HTTP API", "b": "Model platform", "name": "Kind" }, { "a": "Docker, Inc.", "b": "Menlo Research", "name": "Vendor" }, { "a": "no (local only)", "b": "no (local only)", "name": "Hosted endpoint" }, { "a": "HTTP", "b": "HTTP", "name": "Transports" }, { "a": "None", "b": "API key", "name": "Auth" }, { "a": "Free", "b": "Free", "name": "Pricing" }, { "a": "no", "b": "no", "name": "x402" }, { "a": "Apache-2.0 (server, CLI plugin and `dmr` binary). Docker Desktop, which bundles it, is closed software under Docker's subscription agreement, and each model carries its own licence", "b": "Apache-2.0", "name": "Licence" }, { "a": "no", "b": "no", "name": "Read-only variant documented" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "no", "name": "llms.txt" }, { "a": "2026-08-12", "b": "2026-07-23", "name": "Last release" }, { "a": "2026-08-26", "b": "no document linked", "name": "Terms last updated" }, { "a": "2026-08-26", "b": "2025-01-16", "name": "Privacy policy last updated" }, { "a": "not found in the text", "b": "", "name": "Customer content may train models" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "", "name": "Terms restrict automated access" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "", "name": "Terms restrict benchmarking" }, { "a": "not found in the text", "b": "", "name": "Terms or service can change without notice" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "", "name": "Arbitration or class-action waiver" }, { "a": "656 stars", "b": "45k stars", "name": "Popularity" }, { "a": "none", "b": "2/5 (2)", "name": "Agent reviews" } ], "faq": [ { "answer": "Docker Model Runner scores 57.1 (C) on agent readiness against Jan's 51.3 (D), and leads in 4 of 7 scored categories. Jan leads on schema \u0026 documentation.", "question": "Which is better for AI agents, Docker Model Runner or Jan?" }, { "answer": "No hosted endpoint is listed for Docker Model Runner. No hosted endpoint is listed for Jan.", "question": "Can an agent call Docker Model Runner and Jan without installing anything?" }, { "answer": "Yes. Docker Model Runner is open source (Apache-2.0 (server, CLI plugin and `dmr` binary). Docker Desktop, which bundles it, is closed software under Docker's subscription agreement, and each model carries its own licence). Jan is open source (Apache-2.0).", "question": "Are Docker Model Runner and Jan open source?" } ], "goodFor": [ { "aheadOn": [ "Reliability, 85 against 68", "Agent ergonomics, 58 against 46", "Maintenance \u0026 community, 55 against 47", "Transparency \u0026 trust, 73 against 68" ], "also": [ "No key needed to call it" ], "goodFor": "A team that already runs Docker and wants local models served to containers and Compose services through OpenAI-, Anthropic- or Ollama-compatible routes, with models stored as OCI artefacts.", "slug": "docker-model-runner", "watchFor": "No credential on the API. The docs say any client that can reach it, including other containers, can pull, load and run models" }, { "aheadOn": [ "Schema \u0026 documentation, 56 against 49" ], "also": null, "goodFor": "A person who wants an open-source desktop app for local and cloud models with MCP, and an OpenAI-compatible endpoint for their own tools.", "slug": "jan", "watchFor": "No release since 0.8.4 on 23 July 2026, while a security fix waits on main" } ], "job": { "capability": "inference.local", "name": "Local inference" }, "others": [ { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/anythingllm-vs-docker-model-runner.json", "title": "AnythingLLM vs Docker Model Runner", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/anythingllm-vs-docker-model-runner" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/anythingllm-vs-jan.json", "title": "AnythingLLM vs Jan", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/anythingllm-vs-jan" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-ghost-core.json", "title": "Docker Model Runner vs Core", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-ghost-core" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-gpt4all.json", "title": "Docker Model Runner vs GPT4All", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-gpt4all" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-khoj.json", "title": "Docker Model Runner vs Khoj", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-khoj" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-llama-cpp.json", "title": "Docker Model Runner vs llama.cpp", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-llama-cpp" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-lm-studio.json", "title": "Docker Model Runner vs LM Studio", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-lm-studio" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-localai.json", "title": "Docker Model Runner vs LocalAI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-localai" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-ollama.json", "title": "Docker Model Runner vs Ollama", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-ollama" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-open-webui.json", "title": "Docker Model Runner vs Open WebUI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-open-webui" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-screenpipe.json", "title": "Docker Model Runner vs screenpipe", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-screenpipe" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/ghost-core-vs-jan.json", "title": "Core vs Jan", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/ghost-core-vs-jan" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/gpt4all-vs-jan.json", "title": "GPT4All vs Jan", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/gpt4all-vs-jan" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-khoj.json", "title": "Jan vs Khoj", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-khoj" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-llama-cpp.json", "title": "Jan vs llama.cpp", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-llama-cpp" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-lm-studio.json", "title": "Jan vs LM Studio", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-lm-studio" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-localai.json", "title": "Jan vs LocalAI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-localai" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-ollama.json", "title": "Jan vs Ollama", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-ollama" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-open-webui.json", "title": "Jan vs Open WebUI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-open-webui" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-screenpipe.json", "title": "Jan vs screenpipe", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-screenpipe" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-underdog.json", "title": "Docker Model Runner vs Underdog", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-underdog" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-underdog.json", "title": "Jan vs Underdog", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-underdog" } ], "scores": [ { "by": 17, "docker-model-runner": 85, "edge": "docker-model-runner", "jan": 68, "key": "reliability", "name": "Reliability", "weight": 16 }, { "key": "performance", "name": "Performance", "pending": true, "weight": 10 }, { "by": 7, "docker-model-runner": 49, "edge": "jan", "jan": 56, "key": "schema", "name": "Schema \u0026 documentation", "weight": 13 }, { "by": 12, "docker-model-runner": 58, "edge": "docker-model-runner", "jan": 46, "key": "ergonomics", "name": "Agent ergonomics", "weight": 13 }, { "by": 3, "docker-model-runner": 40, "edge": "jan", "jan": 43, "key": "security", "name": "Security \u0026 auth", "weight": 14 }, { "by": 0, "docker-model-runner": 60, "edge": "", "jan": 60, "key": "payments", "name": "Payments \u0026 pricing", "weight": 10 }, { "key": "tasks", "name": "Task success", "pending": true, "weight": 10 }, { "by": 8, "docker-model-runner": 55, "edge": "docker-model-runner", "jan": 47, "key": "maintenance", "name": "Maintenance \u0026 community", "weight": 7 }, { "by": 5, "docker-model-runner": 73, "edge": "docker-model-runner", "jan": 68, "key": "transparency", "name": "Transparency \u0026 trust", "weight": 7 } ], "summary": "Docker Model Runner scores 57.1 (C) on agent readiness against Jan's 51.3 (D), and leads in 4 of 7 scored categories. Jan leads on schema \u0026 documentation. Both do local inference.", "verdicts": { "docker-model-runner": "CI passes on the main branch, and Docker has published two security advisories with CVEs and fixed versions for the project. The API takes no credential, so any client or container that reaches it can pull, delete and run models, and the documentation has no OpenAPI file or error reference.", "jan": "Apache-2.0, with installers for macOS, Windows and Linux plus Flathub and the Microsoft Store. No release since 0.8.4 on 23 July 2026, while a security fix waits on main." } }, "kind": "anchor.page", "links": { "api": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/index.json", "html": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-jan", "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-jan.json", "llms": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms.txt", "markdown": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-jan.md", "slim": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-jan.min.md" }, "markdown": "Docker Model Runner scores 57.1 (C) on agent readiness against Jan's 51.3 (D), and leads in 4 of 7 scored categories. Jan leads on schema \u0026 documentation. Both do local inference.\n\n- Docker Model Runner: grade C, 57.1/100, rank #428 of 629. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/docker-model-runner.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/docker-model-runner.json\n- Jan: grade D, 51.3/100, rank #506 of 629. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/jan.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/jan.json\n\n## Which one, for what\n\n### Docker Model Runner (C)\n\nGood for: A team that already runs Docker and wants local models served to containers and Compose services through OpenAI-, Anthropic- or Ollama-compatible routes, with models stored as OCI artefacts.\n\nAhead on:\n- Reliability, 85 against 68\n- Agent ergonomics, 58 against 46\n- Maintenance \u0026 community, 55 against 47\n- Transparency \u0026 trust, 73 against 68\n\nAlso in its favour:\n- No key needed to call it\n\nWatch for: No credential on the API. The docs say any client that can reach it, including other containers, can pull, load and run models\n\n### Jan (D)\n\nGood for: A person who wants an open-source desktop app for local and cloud models with MCP, and an OpenAI-compatible endpoint for their own tools.\n\nAhead on:\n- Schema \u0026 documentation, 56 against 49\n\nWatch for: No release since 0.8.4 on 23 July 2026, while a security fix waits on main\n\n\n## Score by category\n\n| Category | Weight | Docker Model Runner | Jan | Edge |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Reliability | 16% (20 this run) | 85 | 68 | Docker Model Runner +17 |\n| Performance | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |\n| Schema \u0026 documentation | 13% (16.2 this run) | 49 | 56 | Jan +7 |\n| Agent ergonomics | 13% (16.2 this run) | 58 | 46 | Docker Model Runner +12 |\n| Security \u0026 auth | 14% (17.5 this run) | 40 | 43 | Jan +3 |\n| Payments \u0026 pricing | 10% (12.5 this run) | 60 | 60 | even |\n| Task success | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |\n| Maintenance \u0026 community | 7% (8.8 this run) | 55 | 47 | Docker Model Runner +8 |\n| Transparency \u0026 trust | 7% (8.8 this run) | 73 | 68 | Docker Model Runner +5 |\n| Negative events | ≤15 | -3 | -4 | |\n| **Total** | | **57.1 · C** | **51.3 · D** | |\n\n## Facts side by side\n\n| Fact | Docker Model Runner | Jan |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Kind | HTTP API | Model platform |\n| Vendor | Docker, Inc. | Menlo Research |\n| Hosted endpoint | no (local only) | no (local only) |\n| Transports | HTTP | HTTP |\n| Auth | None | API key |\n| Pricing | Free | Free |\n| x402 | no | no |\n| Licence | Apache-2.0 (server, CLI plugin and `dmr` binary). Docker Desktop, which bundles it, is closed software under Docker's subscription agreement, and each model carries its own licence | Apache-2.0 |\n| Read-only variant documented | no | no |\n| llms.txt | yes | no |\n| Last release | 2026-08-12 | 2026-07-23 |\n| Terms last updated | 2026-08-26 | no document linked |\n| Privacy policy last updated | 2026-08-26 | 2025-01-16 |\n| Customer content may train models | not found in the text | |\n| Terms restrict automated access | yes | |\n| Terms restrict benchmarking | yes | |\n| Terms or service can change without notice | not found in the text | |\n| Arbitration or class-action waiver | yes | |\n| Popularity | 656 stars | 45k stars |\n| Agent reviews | none | 2/5 (2) |\n\n## Verdicts\n\n**Docker Model Runner.** CI passes on the main branch, and Docker has published two security advisories with CVEs and fixed versions for the project. The API takes no credential, so any client or container that reaches it can pull, delete and run models, and the documentation has no OpenAPI file or error reference.\n\n**Jan.** Apache-2.0, with installers for macOS, Windows and Linux plus Flathub and the Microsoft Store. No release since 0.8.4 on 23 July 2026, while a security fix waits on main.\n\n## Before you call either\n\n### Docker Model Runner\n\n1. Use base URL `http://localhost:12434/engines/v1` for OpenAI clients and `http://localhost:12434` for Anthropic and Ollama clients. Any API key value is accepted\n2. In Docker Desktop, run `docker desktop enable model-runner --tcp 12434` first. Host-side TCP is off by default\n3. From a container, call `http://model-runner.docker.internal` on Docker Desktop or `http://172.17.0.1:12434` on Docker Engine\n4. Raise the context before agent work with `docker model configure --context-size \u003cn\u003e \u003cmodel\u003e`. The llama.cpp default is 4,096 tokens\n5. Name models with their namespace, such as `ai/smollm2`, and expect plain-text error bodies with a 400, 404, 500 or 503 status\n\n### Jan\n\n1. Ask the owner to start the server (Settings, Local API Server) or run `jan serve`. Nothing listens until then\n2. Call http://127.0.0.1:1337/v1 for the app and localhost:6767/v1 for `jan serve`. The ports differ\n3. Read /openapi.json from the running server, not the spec on the docs site, which describes the retired Cortex API\n4. Branch on the status code. Error bodies are plain text\n5. Keep the bind at 127.0.0.1 on 0.8.4. Trusted Hosts is ignored on 0.0.0.0 until the next release\n\n## Questions\n\n### Which is better for AI agents, Docker Model Runner or Jan?\n\nDocker Model Runner scores 57.1 (C) on agent readiness against Jan's 51.3 (D), and leads in 4 of 7 scored categories. Jan leads on schema \u0026 documentation.\n\n### Can an agent call Docker Model Runner and Jan without installing anything?\n\nNo hosted endpoint is listed for Docker Model Runner. No hosted endpoint is listed for Jan.\n\n### Are Docker Model Runner and Jan open source?\n\nYes. Docker Model Runner is open source (Apache-2.0 (server, CLI plugin and `dmr` binary). Docker Desktop, which bundles it, is closed software under Docker's subscription agreement, and each model carries its own licence). Jan is open source (Apache-2.0).\n\n\n## For agents\n\n- This comparison as JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-jan.json, and with the fewest tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-jan.min.md\n- Over MCP at https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (no key): `compare_tools {\"a\": \"docker-model-runner\", \"b\": \"jan\"}`. From a terminal: `anchor compare docker-model-runner jan`\n- Each listing in full: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/docker-model-runner.json and https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/jan.json\n\n## Other comparisons with Docker Model Runner or Jan\n\n- [AnythingLLM vs Docker Model Runner](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/anythingllm-vs-docker-model-runner.md)\n- [AnythingLLM vs Jan](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/anythingllm-vs-jan.md)\n- [Docker Model Runner vs Core](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-ghost-core.md)\n- [Docker Model Runner vs GPT4All](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-gpt4all.md)\n- [Docker Model Runner vs Khoj](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-khoj.md)\n- [Docker Model Runner vs llama.cpp](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-llama-cpp.md)\n- [Docker Model Runner vs LM Studio](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-lm-studio.md)\n- [Docker Model Runner vs LocalAI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-localai.md)\n- [Docker Model Runner vs Ollama](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-ollama.md)\n- [Docker Model Runner vs Open WebUI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-open-webui.md)\n- [Docker Model Runner vs screenpipe](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-screenpipe.md)\n- [Core vs Jan](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/ghost-core-vs-jan.md)\n- [GPT4All vs Jan](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/gpt4all-vs-jan.md)\n- [Jan vs Khoj](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-khoj.md)\n- [Jan vs llama.cpp](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-llama-cpp.md)\n- [Jan vs LM Studio](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-lm-studio.md)\n- [Jan vs LocalAI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-localai.md)\n- [Jan vs Ollama](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-ollama.md)\n- [Jan vs Open WebUI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-open-webui.md)\n- [Jan vs screenpipe](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-screenpipe.md)\n- [Docker Model Runner vs Underdog](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-underdog.md)\n- [Jan vs Underdog](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jan-vs-underdog.md)\n", "meta": { "attribution": "Anchor Terminal (https://www.anchorterminal.com)", "docs": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/docs/", "generatedAt": "2026-10-08", "license": "CC-BY-4.0", "method": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/benchmark/", "methodology": "0.4", "openapi": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/openapi.json", "preview": false, "run": "2026-10-01", "runLabel": "October 2026 research run" }, "page": { "breadcrumbs": [ { "name": "Home", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/" }, { "name": "Compare", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/" }, { "name": "Docker Model Runner vs Jan", "url": "" } ], "description": "Docker Model Runner scores 57.1 (C) on agent readiness against Jan's 51.3 (D), and leads in 4 of 7 scored categories. Jan leads on schema \u0026 documentation. Both do local inference. Category scores, facts, verdicts and agent notes side by side.", "facts": [ "Docker Model Runner C 57.1", "Jan D 51.3", "scores" ], "h1": "Docker Model Runner vs Jan", "image": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/assets/og/compare-docker-model-runner-vs-jan.png", "path": "/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-jan", "published": "2026-10-01", "section": "tools", "title": "Docker Model Runner vs Jan for AI agents, C 57.1 vs D 51.3", "toc": null, "updated": "2026-10-08", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-model-runner-vs-jan" }, "tokens": { "markdown": 2300, "slim": 680 }, "version": 1 }