Private AI Assistant Built for
Small Business Teams
Start with Askimo Personal Edition today for individual productivity. Askimo Team Edition (launching Q3 2026) adds governance, centralized AI management, cost control, and team permissions—all while maintaining complete privacy.
Available in 9 languages for global teams
100% Free • Open Source • Windows, Mac & Linux
We don't track your data or conversations. Everything stays on your device. Learn about our privacy approach →
Why Small Businesses Choose Askimo for Private AI
Enterprise capabilities at startup prices. Privacy-first architecture with complete flexibility.
No Vendor Lock-In
Use ChatGPT today, switch to Gemini tomorrow, or run local models for free. Mix and match based on your budget and needs. Your business, your choice.
Teach AI Your Business
RAG technology lets AI learn from your policies, products, and procedures. Get context-aware answers aligned with YOUR business—not generic responses.
Integrate Your Tools
MCP connects AI to your CRM, project management, databases, and business systems. Turn AI from a chat interface into a work assistant.
Askimo Team Edition: AI Governance for Small Business
Everything in Personal Edition, plus enterprise team management features
Askimo Personal Edition is perfect for individual use. For teams that need governance, centralized management, and cost control, Askimo Team Edition launches Q3 2026.
Centralized AI Cost Management & Telemetry
Monitor team AI usage and costs from a central dashboard. Track token consumption across all AI providers. Set budgets and usage limits per team or project. Identify cost-saving opportunities. All telemetry data stays within your infrastructure—no data sent to Askimo.
Pre-Configured AI Providers for Teams
Administrators configure AI providers (OpenAI, Gemini, Claude, etc.) once at the server level. Team members use AI instantly—no API key setup required. Rotate API keys centrally without disrupting team workflows. Support multiple providers with automatic routing based on task type.
Centralized RAG Knowledge Base
Deploy a shared company knowledge base accessible to all team members. Index company documents, policies, and procedures once at the server level. Every team member's AI gets consistent, accurate answers from the same authoritative sources. Update company knowledge centrally—changes propagate instantly to the entire team.
User & Permission Management
Manage team member access and permissions from central admin panel. Control who can use which AI providers and features. Set role-based permissions (admin, power user, standard user). Onboard and offboard team members instantly. Audit logs for compliance and security.
Centralized MCP Server Management
Deploy and manage MCP connectors at the server level—no client-side configuration needed. Connect to CRM, databases, and business tools once for the entire team. Update MCP integrations without touching individual workstations. Share secure access to business systems across the team.
Privacy-First Team Architecture
Team Edition maintains Askimo's privacy-first principles. No user conversation tracking or data collection. Telemetry limited to anonymous usage metrics and costs. Conversations stay on user devices—never centrally logged. Complete transparency with open source code.
Personal Edition vs Team Edition
Choose the right edition for your needs. Start with Personal Edition today, upgrade to Team Edition in Q3 2026.
Personal Edition
Available Now • Free & Open Source
- Multi-provider AI support (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Ollama)
- RAG for personal knowledge management
- MCP integrations (client-side setup)
- Local-first privacy & encryption
- Individual API key management
- Self-managed AI costs
- Perfect for: Freelancers, solopreneurs, individual team members
Team Edition
Coming Q3 2026 • Pricing TBA
- Everything in Personal Edition, plus:
- Centralized AI cost management & telemetry
- Pre-configured AI providers (no client setup)
- Centralized RAG knowledge base for teams
- User & permission management
- Server-side MCP management
- Team usage analytics & budgeting
- Audit logs & compliance reporting
- Perfect for: Small business teams, agencies, growing companies
How Private AI Transforms Small Business Operations
Real capabilities that solve real business problems. No hype, just practical AI implementation.
Flexible AI Provider Options: Cloud, Local, or Both
Use ChatGPT for complex analysis, Gemini for creative tasks, or run local Llama models for sensitive data. Switch providers instantly without retraining your team. Pay only for what you use. Lower costs by routing simple queries to cheaper models. Protect privacy by keeping confidential data on local AI. Future-proof your investment—new AI models integrate seamlessly.
RAG: AI That Knows Your Business Inside Out
Index your company handbook, product catalogs, SOPs, and knowledge base. AI searches your documents first, then provides answers grounded in YOUR information. Customer service reps get instant, accurate policy answers. New employees onboard faster with AI-powered company knowledge. Sales teams access current pricing and product specs on demand. Compliance questions answered with cited sources from your documentation.
MCP: Extend AI to Your Business Tools
Connect AI to Salesforce, HubSpot, QuickBooks, Asana, and more. Ask AI about deal pipeline status—it queries your CRM directly. Generate financial reports—AI pulls from your accounting software. Check project status—AI integrates with your PM tools. Get real-time business metrics without manual data gathering. Non-technical teams can deploy integrations without coding.
Private AI Features for Small Business Teams
Everything your team needs to implement AI successfully without IT department overhead.
Multi-Provider AI Support
ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Ollama (Llama, Mistral, DeepSeek), Grok, LM Studio, LocalAI—all with latest versions. Use cloud AI for advanced tasks, local models for privacy-sensitive work. Mix providers based on cost, capability, and data sensitivity. No vendor lock-in.
RAG for Company Knowledge
Index company documents, policies, product catalogs, and websites. AI provides context-aware answers using YOUR business information. Hybrid search with JVector and Lucene for accurate retrieval. All indexing happens locally—no data sent to cloud.
MCP Ecosystem Integration
Extensible Model Context Protocol (MCP) support. Connect to CRMs, project management, databases, and business tools. Pre-built connectors for popular business software. Build custom integrations for proprietary systems. Community marketplace for shared connectors.
Team Collaboration Features
Share custom AI prompt templates across teams. Export and import conversation workflows. Collaborative prompt libraries for common business tasks. Consistent AI behavior through shared directives.
Privacy-First Local Storage
All conversations, API keys, and business data stored locally with AES-256 encryption. Zero telemetry—no usage tracking or data collection. Complete control over sensitive business information. Works offline with local AI models.
Usage Analytics & Cost Tracking
Monitor token consumption and API costs per provider. Track team AI usage across different models. Optimize spending by identifying cost-saving opportunities. All analytics data stays local on your devices.
Custom Business Workflows
Build reusable prompt templates for sales emails, customer support, content creation. Save common business queries as templates. Chain multiple AI interactions for complex workflows. Export templates for team-wide deployment.
Multi-Language Business Support
Interface available in English, Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese. AI conversations in 100+ languages. Perfect for international teams and global customers.
Backup & Migration Tools
Export all company AI data—conversations, RAG indexes, templates. Import on new devices for seamless team onboarding. Disaster recovery with full backup capabilities. No vendor dependency for data access.
Real Small Business AI Use Cases
How different business functions leverage private AI assistants for daily operations.
Customer Service & Support
- AI answers customer questions using indexed company policies and FAQs
- Support reps get instant access to product documentation via RAG
- Consistent responses aligned with company guidelines and tone
- Reduce response time with AI-suggested answers based on past tickets
Sales & Business Development
- Query CRM via MCP: 'What deals are closing this month?'
- AI generates personalized sales emails using product knowledge base
- Access current pricing and product specs through RAG-indexed catalogs
- Analyze deal pipeline and forecast revenue with AI + CRM integration
Operations & Project Management
- Track project status across PM tools via MCP connectors
- AI references SOPs and processes for operational questions
- Generate status reports by querying integrated business systems
- Automate routine queries about timelines, blockers, and resources
Finance & Accounting
- Query accounting software for expense reports and cash flow via MCP
- AI explains financial policies indexed from company documentation
- Generate summaries of revenue, costs, and profitability trends
- Keep sensitive financial data on local AI models—never cloud
HR & Employee Onboarding
- New employees ask AI about company policies, benefits, procedures
- AI references employee handbook via RAG for instant answers
- Consistent onboarding experience with AI-powered knowledge access
- Reduce HR workload answering repetitive employee questions
Marketing & Content Creation
- Generate marketing copy aligned with brand voice using custom directives
- AI references past campaigns and messaging via RAG-indexed content
- Create social media posts, blog outlines, and email campaigns
- Compare content ideas from multiple AI models (ChatGPT vs Claude)
Start with Personal Edition Today
Get your team productive with AI now. Upgrade to Team Edition in Q3 2026 for centralized management and governance.
Phase 1: Individual Setup (Week 1)
Install Personal Edition on Team Devices
Each team member downloads Askimo for Windows, Mac, or Linux. One-time setup with personal API keys. Team members can start using AI immediately for individual productivity.
Choose AI Providers Individually
Team members connect their preferred AI providers (ChatGPT, Gemini, local Ollama). Share best practices across the team. Track your own AI costs and usage.
Basic Team Training
AI prompting workshop (1-2 hours). Share effective prompt templates. Establish team guidelines for AI usage and data privacy.
Phase 2: Team Knowledge Sharing (Week 2-3)
Individual RAG Setup
Team members index relevant company documents (handbooks, SOPs, product docs). Share successful RAG configurations across the team. Build collective knowledge base practices.
Collaborative Prompt Libraries
Create team-wide prompt templates for common tasks. Export and share effective prompts. Build consistency in AI-generated outputs across the team.
Document Team Workflows
Identify high-value AI use cases. Share tips and tricks in team meetings. Prepare for Team Edition migration in Q3 2026.
Phase 3: Prepare for Team Edition (Q3 2026)
Evaluate Centralized Needs
Identify pain points with individual management. Assess need for cost control and governance. Plan for Team Edition adoption when it launches.
Document Current Workflows
Catalog which AI providers your team uses. List critical MCP integrations. Prepare for seamless migration to Team Edition.
Join Team Edition Waitlist
Sign up for early access to Team Edition (Q3 2026). Get notified about beta testing opportunities. Influence Team Edition features with your feedback.
Transparent Pricing: Personal Edition Costs
No subscription fees for Personal Edition. You only pay for AI API usage. Team Edition pricing will be announced closer to Q3 2026 launch.
Typical Monthly Cost for 10-Person Team (Personal Edition)
Cost-Saving Strategies
- Use local models (Ollama) for routine queries—zero API costs
- Reserve premium models for complex analysis; use cheaper models for simple tasks
- Monitor usage analytics to identify high-cost workflows
- Batch similar queries to reduce API roundtrips
- Share team knowledge via RAG to reduce repetitive AI queries
Enterprise-Grade Security for Small Business Budgets
Your business data deserves enterprise protection. Here's how we deliver it.
Local-First Architecture (Personal Edition)
All conversations, documents, and settings stored on individual devices. No cloud sync required. No data transmitted to Askimo servers (we don't have any). Complete control over business information. Team Edition will maintain this privacy while adding optional telemetry for cost tracking only.
AES-256 Encryption
API keys encrypted at rest using industry-standard AES-256-GCM. System keychain integration (macOS Keychain, Windows Credential Manager). Tamper detection—corrupted data is rejected. Same encryption standards in both Personal and Team editions.
Zero Conversation Tracking
Personal Edition: Zero telemetry or tracking. Team Edition: Anonymous usage metrics and cost data only—never conversation content. We don't see what you discuss with AI in either edition. Your workflow stays completely private. Open source code—verify our claims.
Flexible Data Policies
Use local AI models for sensitive data (financial, customer PII, proprietary info). Use cloud AI for non-sensitive workflows. You decide what data leaves your network. Team Edition adds centralized governance without changing where conversations are stored.
Askimo vs Enterprise AI Platforms vs ChatGPT Plus
Feature and cost comparison for small business AI solutions.
| Feature | Askimo | Enterprise AI | ChatGPT Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple AI providers (no lock-in) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Local AI models for privacy | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| RAG for company knowledge | ✓ | Limited | Limited |
| MCP tool integrations | ✓ | Limited | ✗ |
| Team collaboration features | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Private local storage | ✓ | Cloud | Cloud |
| Cost per 10-user team/month | $50-200 | $2000-10000 | $200 |
| Setup complexity | Easy | Complex | Easy |
| Vendor lock-in | None | High | High |
| Data privacy control | Complete | Limited | None |
Start Using Private AI in Your Small Business Today
Free to download. No credit card required. No vendor lock-in. Deploy in under 30 minutes.
Download Free for Your TeamWindows, macOS, Linux • 100% Open Source • AGPL-3.0 License
100% privacy-focused. No tracking. Your data stays on your device. Security details
Small Business AI Resources
Learn more about implementing AI in small business operations.
Small Business AI Assistant FAQ
Common questions about implementing private AI in small businesses.
Do I need a technical team to implement AI for my small business?
No. Askimo is designed for non-technical teams. Setup takes 10-15 minutes: install the app, add your API key (or connect local AI), and start chatting. RAG indexing is drag-and-drop. MCP connectors install with one click. No coding, no servers, no IT department required.
What's the difference between cloud AI and local AI for business?
Cloud AI (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) is powerful but sends data to external servers. Good for non-sensitive work. Local AI (Ollama with Llama and other models) runs on your computer—data never leaves your network. Perfect for confidential business information. With Askimo, you use both: cloud for complex analysis, local for privacy-sensitive queries.
How does RAG help small businesses specifically?
RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) teaches AI your business context. Example: Customer service rep asks 'What's our return policy for electronics?' AI searches your indexed policy documents and provides the exact answer with sources. No more hunting through files or giving inconsistent answers. Your team gets instant, accurate information aligned with company policies.
What business tools can AI integrate with via MCP?
MCP (Model Context Protocol) connects AI to your business software. Popular integrations: Salesforce, HubSpot (CRM), QuickBooks, Xero (accounting), Asana, Jira, ClickUp (project management), Shopify (e-commerce), Google Workspace, Slack. You can also build custom connectors for proprietary systems. Non-technical teams can deploy pre-built connectors.
Is my business data safe with a private AI assistant?
Yes. Askimo uses local-first architecture: all conversations, documents, and API keys stored on your devices with AES-256 encryption. No cloud sync. No data collection. Zero telemetry. Use local AI models (Ollama) for sensitive data—it never leaves your computer. You have complete control over what data (if any) goes to cloud AI providers.
How much does AI cost for a small business team?
For a 10-person team: $0 for Askimo software (open source), $50-200/month for cloud AI API usage (varies by usage), $0 for local AI models. Total: $50-200/month for enterprise-grade AI. Compare to enterprise AI platforms at $2000-10000/month. Use local models for routine work to minimize API costs.
Can I switch AI providers without losing my data?
Absolutely. That's the core benefit of Askimo—no vendor lock-in. Switch from ChatGPT to Claude to Gemini with one click. All your conversation history, RAG indexes, and templates stay intact. Mix providers based on task, cost, or capability. Your investment in prompt templates and knowledge bases transfers across all AI models.
What if my team needs AI in multiple languages?
Askimo supports 9 interface languages: English, Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese. AI conversations work in 100+ languages depending on your AI provider. Perfect for international teams or businesses serving global customers. RAG works with multilingual documents.