Which Ollama model should I try first?

Start with the benchmark first, then pick the lightest model on the Ollama page that still matches your hardware band.

When should I choose Ollama?

People who want the fastest first success with a tracked local model tag.

Should I benchmark before using Ollama?

Yes. The benchmark tells you which size band is realistic for your exact machine, then this page tells you which model is the cleanest first pull inside that runtime.

best model

Best local models for Ollama

Best for the quickest path from benchmark result to a real local run. This page ranks cleaner starting points first, then links you into the model pages when you need exact memory and hardware guidance.

starter pickBenchmark first

tracked models0

tier spann/a

runtime tradeoffYou get less low-level tuning freedom than llama.cpp and fewer curation cues than LM Studio.

benchmark first

Benchmark before you commit to a Ollama download.

You get less low-level tuning freedom than llama.cpp and fewer curation cues than LM Studio. The benchmark is still the fastest way to confirm whether this machine belongs in the size band that makes Ollama feel worth using.

Benchmark this device for Ollama Browse model pages

start here

Best first models for Ollama

why this runtime

What you are choosing with Ollama

Best for: People who want the fastest first success with a tracked local model tag.
Tradeoff: You get less low-level tuning freedom than llama.cpp and fewer curation cues than LM Studio.
Benchmark flow: Use the benchmark first when the question is about your machine, then use this page to choose the cleanest first pull inside Ollama.

broader catalog

More tracked models for Ollama

Model pages to open next

No search-intent pages are ready yet.

runtime smoke

Monthly runtime smoke matrix

Each row installs or updates the tracked runtime, downloads the starter model, and proves one local inference with the pinned prompt bundle.

These rows use hosted CPU runners so stale guidance is visible before the public install copy drifts too far from reality.

Ollama

Runtime guidance currently needs review

Last verified: Jun 1, 2026, 3:32 PM

Tested runtime version: Warning: could not connect to a running Ollama instance

Monthly smoke cadence (31-day review window)

Prompt bundle: 2026.03-reference-lm-prompts-v1

Linux

GitHub-hosted Ubuntu x64 CPU runner

Install recipe: Install the latest standalone Ollama CLI asset for Linux before each run.

Last verified: Jun 1, 2026, 3:32 PM

Tested version: Warning: could not connect to a running Ollama instance

Model pull: Granite 4.0 Micro

Status: verified

Open install source Open model source

macOS

GitHub-hosted macOS CPU runner

Install recipe: Install the latest standalone Ollama CLI asset for macOS before each run.

Last verified: Not yet verified

Tested version: Not yet verified

Model pull: Granite 4.0 Micro

Stale: Latest smoke run failed during local inference.

Open install source Open model source Open remediation issue

Windows

GitHub-hosted Windows x64 CPU runner

Install recipe: Install the latest standalone Ollama CLI asset for Windows before each run.

Last verified: Jun 1, 2026, 3:32 PM

Tested version: Warning: could not connect to a running Ollama instance

Model pull: Granite 4.0 Micro

Status: verified

Open install source Open model source