Comparison
jan vs Star-Attention
Verdict
Pick jan when jan is primarily TypeScript; Star-Attention is Python; pick Star-Attention when star-Attention is primarily Python; jan is TypeScript.
Markdown twin · jan alternatives · Star-Attention alternatives
GraphCanon updated today
Trust & integrity
| Signal | jan | Star-Attention |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Very active (1d since push) As of today · github_public_v1 | Dormant (380d since push) As of today · github_public_v1 |
| Provenance | Not a fork · Organization account As of today · github_public_v1 | Not a fork · Organization account As of today · github_public_v1 |
| Security (OSV) | No lockfile As of today · none | No lockfile As of today · none |
Tagline
- jan
- open source alternative to ChatGPT that runs offline locally
- Star-Attention
- Efficient LLM Inference over Long Sequences
Stars
- jan
- 43k
- Star-Attention
- 393
Forks
- jan
- 2.9k
- Star-Attention
- 23
Open issues
- jan
- 387
- Star-Attention
- 0
Language
- jan
- TypeScript
- Star-Attention
- Python
Adopt for
- jan
- Jan is a TypeScript-based, self-hosted chatbot application that acts as an offline alternative to services like ChatGPT.
- Star-Attention
- -
Persona
- jan
- -
- Star-Attention
- -
Runtime
- jan
- -
- Star-Attention
- -
License
- jan
- Other
- Star-Attention
- Apache-2.0
Last pushed
- jan
- Jul 10, 2026
- Star-Attention
- Jun 25, 2025
Categories
- jan
- LLM Frameworks, Inference & Serving
- Star-Attention
- LLM Frameworks, Inference & Serving
Trust and health
Maintenance
- jan
- Very active (96%)
- Star-Attention
- Dormant (18%)
Days since push
- jan
- 1d
- Star-Attention
- 380d
Open issues (now)
- jan
- 387
- Star-Attention
- 0
Full report
- jan
- Trust report
- Star-Attention
- Trust report
Choose jan if…
- jan is primarily TypeScript; Star-Attention is Python.
- License: jan is Other, Star-Attention is Apache-2.0.
- Tags unique to jan: tauri, self-hosted, llm, llamacpp.
- - If you require an offline-capable AI assistant for environments without internet access.
When NOT to use jan
- - If you require real-time updates to the AI model, since Jan uses static local models which may not get frequent updates.
- - When a vast knowledge base or continuous learning capabilities are essential, as Jan's offline nature constrains its ability to stay current with new information.
Choose Star-Attention if…
- Star-Attention is primarily Python; jan is TypeScript.
- License: Star-Attention is Apache-2.0, jan is Other.
- Tags unique to Star-Attention: python, large-language-models, attention-mechanism, llm-inference.
When NOT to use Star-Attention
- Last GitHub push was 381 days ago (dormant maintenance, Jun 25, 2025). Validate activity before betting a new project on Star-Attention.
- LLM Frameworks: Avoid a framework for a single prompt-and-retrieve call; the abstraction can cost more than it saves.
- Inference & Serving: Self-hosting rarely beats a hosted API on cost until you have steady, high-volume traffic.
Explore
Sources
Every stat on this page traces to a dated GitHub sync, license file, enrichment field, or trust scan.
- GitHub stars (janhq/jan) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- GitHub forks (janhq/jan) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- Last push (janhq/jan) · observed Jul 10, 2026
- License file (Other) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- GitHub stars (NVIDIA/Star-Attention) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- GitHub forks (NVIDIA/Star-Attention) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- Last push (NVIDIA/Star-Attention) · observed Jun 25, 2025
- License file (Apache-2.0) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 11, 2026
GitHub stars on cards: jan 43k · Star-Attention 393 (synced Jul 11, 2026).
Common questions
- What is the difference between jan and Star-Attention?
- jan: open source alternative to ChatGPT that runs offline locally. Star-Attention: Efficient LLM Inference over Long Sequences. See the comparison table for live GitHub stats and shared categories.
- When should I choose jan over Star-Attention?
- Choose jan over Star-Attention when jan is primarily TypeScript; Star-Attention is Python; License: jan is Other, Star-Attention is Apache-2.0; Tags unique to jan: tauri, self-hosted, llm, llamacpp; - If you require an offline-capable AI assistant for environments without internet access.
- When should I choose Star-Attention over jan?
- Choose Star-Attention over jan when Star-Attention is primarily Python; jan is TypeScript; License: Star-Attention is Apache-2.0, jan is Other; Tags unique to Star-Attention: python, large-language-models, attention-mechanism, llm-inference.
- When should I avoid jan?
- - If you require real-time updates to the AI model, since Jan uses static local models which may not get frequent updates. - When a vast knowledge base or continuous learning capabilities are essential, as Jan's offline nature constrains its ability to stay current with new information.
- When should I avoid Star-Attention?
- Last GitHub push was 381 days ago (dormant maintenance, Jun 25, 2025). Validate activity before betting a new project on Star-Attention. LLM Frameworks: Avoid a framework for a single prompt-and-retrieve call; the abstraction can cost more than it saves. Inference & Serving: Self-hosting rarely beats a hosted API on cost until you have steady, high-volume traffic.
- Is jan or Star-Attention more popular on GitHub?
- jan has more GitHub stars (43,499 vs 393). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints.
- Are jan and Star-Attention open source?
- Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub (jan: Other, Star-Attention: Apache-2.0).
- Where can I find alternatives to jan or Star-Attention?
- GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at jan alternatives and Star-Attention alternatives (jan markdown twin, Star-Attention markdown twin), ranked by typed relationship edges rather than popularity votes.
- Is there a machine-readable version of this comparison?
- Yes. The markdown twin at this comparison mirrors this page for agents and LLM crawlers, with the same stats table and FAQ answers.
- Which is better maintained, jan or Star-Attention?
- jan: Very active. Star-Attention: Dormant. Compare maintenance labels, days since push, and release cadence in the trust section below - stars alone do not measure maintenance.
- Where are the full trust reports for jan and Star-Attention?
- GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: jan trust report; Star-Attention trust report.