Best Open-Source AI Chat Interfaces in 2025: Chatbot UI vs NextChat vs Hugging Face Chat & More
- Philip Moses
- May 12
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
The AI chatbot landscape continues to evolve, offering developers powerful tools for building conversational experiences. While open-source solutions dominate, some proprietary platforms also provide valuable functionality. Here's an updated look at five leading chatbot interfaces in 2025, including their strengths and ideal use cases.
Chatbot UI – The Customizable ChatGPT Alternative
What It Is:
A flexible, open-source interface that replicates ChatGPT's functionality while supporting multiple AI backends (OpenAI, Anthropic, local LLMs). Built with Next.js for optimal performance.
Why Developers Choose It:
✅ Multi-provider compatibility – Works with various model APIs
✅ Complete customization – Modify UI/UX to match brand needs
✅ Self-hosting capability – Full control over deployment and data
✅ Active community – Regular updates and plugin support
Best For:
Teams needing a branded ChatGPT alternative
Developers prioritizing customization and control
Hugging Face Chat – The Model Explorer
What It Is:
An interface for interacting with thousands of models from Hugging Face's ecosystem, supporting both cloud and local deployments.
Key Advantages:
🤗 Vast model library – Access to cutting-edge and specialized LLMs
🔧 Flexible deployment – Cloud API or self-hosted options
📈 Benchmarking tools – Compare model performance
Ideal Use Cases:
AI researchers testing multiple models
Companies needing specialized model access
SpeechGPT – Voice-First Conversations
What It Is:
An open-source framework combining speech recognition, LLMs, and text-to-speech for voice-enabled AI interactions.
Standout Features:
🎙️ Multimodal interface – Voice input/output support
🌐 Language flexibility – Multiple STT/TTS backends
🔊 Privacy-focused – Fully self-hostable
Perfect For:
Voice assistant development
Accessibility applications
NextChat – The Minimalist Option
What It Is:
A streamlined, open-source ChatGPT clone (formerly ChatGPT-Next-Web) with easy deployment options.
Why It Shines:
⚡ Quick setup – One-click Vercel/Docker deployment
📱 Responsive design – Works across devices
🔒 Secure implementation – Encrypted API key handling
Best Fit For:
Developers needing rapid deployment
Lightweight chatbot implementations
Vercel AI SDK – The Deployment Accelerator
What It Offers:
While not open-source, Vercel's AI toolkit provides templates and infrastructure for building chat applications quickly.
Notable Benefits:
🚀 Optimized deployment – Vercel's edge network
🧩 Framework integration – Works seamlessly with Next.js
⚙️ Production-ready – Scalable infrastructure
When To Consider:
Teams using Vercel's ecosystem
Projects needing fast time-to-market
Choosing the Right Solution
For open-source purists:
Chatbot UI (maximum flexibility)
NextChat (simplest deployment)
For specialized needs:
Hugging Face Chat (model experimentation)
SpeechGPT (voice interfaces)
For Vercel users:
The AI SDK offers convenience at the cost of some control
The best choice depends on your project's requirements for customization, deployment needs, and feature priorities. What's your preferred chatbot interface in 2025?
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