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CCharacters & Companions AI toolsFull list
Character chat and roleplay.
5 tools4 with a free plan1 with an API
5 tools
CC
Freemium
C
Chat with AI characters for fun, roleplay and conversation
Characters & CompanionsFree plan
R
RR
Freemium
R
AI companion app for conversation, voice calls and emotional support
Characters & CompanionsFree plan
K
KK
Free trial
K
AI companion app for building custom characters to chat, call and share selfies
Characters & Companions
N
NN
Freemium
N
AI companions with long-term memory for friendship, romance and roleplay
Characters & CompanionsFree planAPI
T
TT
Freemium
T
Chat with AI characters from anime, games and fiction, or create your own
Characters & CompanionsFree plan
Characters & Companions tools compared
From each vendor's own pages, re-checked every two months. Of 3 tools we checked, 0 of 1 that state a policy don't train AI on your content.
How to choose characters & companions tools
Character chat tools fall into two rough groups. Companion apps like Replika, Nomi and Kindroid center on one ongoing relationship. Roleplay platforms like Character.AI and Talkie let you talk to many characters, including fandom ones. A few criteria separate the options:
- Purpose. Pick a companion app if you want a single character that remembers your life. Pick a roleplay platform if you want variety. Nomi covers both friendship and romance, and it also has group chats.
- Media beyond text. Replika and Nomi offer voice and selfies. Kindroid adds calls and video. Character.AI and Talkie are listed for chat.
- Pricing model. Most tools here are freemium. Kindroid is the exception: it uses a free trial, and it's aimed at adults.
- Platform and API. Replika and Kindroid have iOS and Android apps. The others are listed as web only. Nomi is the only one in our list with an API.
We haven't tested these tools ourselves, so check the current terms before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Are there free AI character chat apps?
Yes. Replika, Nomi, Talkie and Character.AI all use a freemium model, so you can start without paying. Kindroid offers a free trial instead of a permanent free tier.
How much do AI companion apps cost?
Our list doesn't include specific prices. Most of these tools are freemium, with paid upgrades on top of a free tier, and Kindroid uses a free trial. Check each tool's site for current pricing.
What should I look for in an AI companion or roleplay tool?
Start with what you want from it. If you want one character that remembers you, look at a companion app like Replika or Nomi. If you want many characters, including fandom ones, look at Character.AI or Talkie. After that, check memory, voice and video features, which platforms it runs on, and whether there's an API. Of the tools listed here, only Nomi has one.
What are alternatives to Character.AI?
Talkie is the closest match because it also focuses on roleplay and fandom characters. If you'd rather have a single ongoing companion, try Replika or Nomi. If you want to build a custom character you can call and video chat with, try Kindroid, which is aimed at adults.