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Enclave vs Ollama: running models locally vs an assistant world that runs on top of models

Enclave and Ollama solve problems at different layers. Ollama makes it easy to run open-source large models on your own machine—it's a "model runtime." Enclave is an assistant world built on top of models—long-term memory, proactive follow-ups, multiple experts, real document deliverables. The two are actually complementary: you can have Enclave use Ollama as a local model backend, enjoying both the privacy of local inference and a complete assistant experience.

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The short answer

Ollama handles running models locally; Enclave provides memory, proactivity, multiple experts, and deliverables on top of the model. You can have Enclave use Ollama directly as a local backend—they complement rather than compete with each other.

Key points at a glance

  • Ollama is a local model runtime; Enclave is an assistant world built on top of models—they operate at different layers.
  • Enclave can use Ollama as a local model backend, getting both local privacy and a complete experience.
  • With Ollama alone you get a model interface; with Enclave you get memory / proactivity / multiple experts / deliverables.

Side-by-side comparison

DimensionEnclaveOllama
The layer it addressesAn assistant world on top of modelsA local model runtime
Long-term memoryBuilt-in structured long-term memoryNot applicable (provides inference only)
ProactivityExperts proactively remind and follow upNot applicable
Multiple characters and deliverablesMultiple experts, group chats, can produce PPT / Word / ExcelOnly a model inference interface
How the two relateCan be plugged in as a local model backendCan serve as one of Enclave's model sources
PrivacySelf-hosted + local models can be fully offlineRuns locally, offline by nature

How to choose

If you just want to run a model locally and call the API yourself, Ollama is enough; if you want a complete assistant world built on top of a local model—one that remembers you, proactively helps you, and can produce documents—use Enclave and plug Ollama in as the local backend. The two don't conflict; in fact, they're a perfect match.

FAQ

  • Which large language models does Enclave support?
    Enclave's model layer is fully swappable: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, DeepSeek, and local Ollama / vLLM can all be configured. Different characters can even use different models, freely allocated by scenario and cost.
  • What do I need to self-host Enclave? Do I need a GPU?
    Not necessarily a GPU. If you use cloud model APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.), an ordinary server or home machine that can run Docker is enough — inference happens in the cloud, and your machine only runs the app and database. You only need the corresponding VRAM and compute if you want offline inference with local models (Ollama / vLLM).
  • Is my conversation data safe? Will it be used for training?
    In self-hosted mode, your conversations live only on your own drive — they never leave your machine and are never used by any third party for training. The model layer can connect to cloud APIs like OpenAI and Anthropic, or be swapped for local Ollama / vLLM to run fully offline; you decide which kind of conversation goes to which model.

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Enclave vs Ollama: running models locally vs an assistant world that runs on top of models · Enclave