Msty: Local AI Desktop App with Multi-Model Support

Msty is a cross-platform desktop AI application that lets you run and compare multiple AI models simultaneously — both local models (via Ollama, LM Studio, or other local backends) and remote cloud APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic, Groq, Gemini). Its standout feature is the ability to send the same prompt to multiple models and view responses side by side, making it ideal for model evaluation and comparison.

Msty's key differentiators are: (1) Multi-model comparison — run the same prompt on 2, 3, or more models simultaneously and compare responses; (2) Conversation branching — fork a conversation at any point to explore different directions; (3) Topic folders — organize conversations by project or subject; (4) Prompt library — save and reuse prompts; (5) Seamless local + remote model mixing in the same interface.

Msty connects to Ollama, LM Studio, Jan, LocalAI, and any other OpenAI-compatible local server. In Settings > Models, add a local provider by specifying the base URL (e.g., http://localhost:11434 for Ollama). Msty then fetches the available models and adds them to your model list alongside cloud models. No configuration files or terminal commands needed.

Yes. Msty stores all conversation history, settings, and model configurations locally on your device. When using local AI models, no data is sent externally. When using cloud APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic), data goes to those providers under their standard privacy terms. Msty itself does not have its own backend server — it's a pure desktop app.

In Msty, you can open a 'Split View' and configure multiple model panels. Type a prompt once and it's sent to all active models simultaneously. Responses appear side by side in real time. This is invaluable for: choosing the right model for a task, comparing local vs cloud quality, evaluating model updates, and building intuition about different models' strengths.

LM Studio focuses on downloading and managing GGUF models with a polished interface. Jan is open-source with an extension system and remote API support. Msty specializes in multi-model comparison and conversation management — features the others lack. If you regularly compare models or want to use both local and cloud models in one app, Msty is the best choice. For pure local model management, LM Studio or Jan may be simpler.