Candy AI vs Character.AI: which AI companion app is better?
Candy AI vs Character.AI: Candy AI wins, 8.3 to 7.5, because it allows 18+ chat, images and video from $3.99 a month, while Character.AI filters adult content and focuses on free fandom roleplay.
Our pick
Quickest start with a big roster
5 messages, 1 custom character, 1 image
Try Candy AI free
Fandom roleplay and free voice calls
Unlimited messages with ads and basic memory
Try Character.AI freeOur verdict
Candy AI is built for the one thing Character.AI will not do: private 18+ chat with pictures and short videos. Premium costs $3.99 a month billed yearly or $13.99 month to month, with unlimited text and 100 tokens a month for media. The weak points are a free plan that stops after 5 messages and memory that works within a conversation. It has no live calls either. See Candy AI pricing for what tokens buy.
Character.AI is the better free app by a long way: unlimited messages, free two-way voice calls, group chats and millions of user-made characters, plus official iPhone and Android apps. Its memory has grown too, with Story Memory, pinned facts and a Lorebook in beta for c.ai+ subscribers. What it will not do is adult content. Refunds differ as well: Candy AI refunds card payments within 24 hours if you have used 20 tokens or fewer, while Character.AI payments are non-refundable except where law requires.
- You want 18+ chat, pictures and short videos
- You want a cheap yearly plan at $3.99 a month
- You want a 24-hour refund window on card payments
- You want unlimited free chat with fan characters
- You want free two-way voice calls
- You want group chats and official mobile apps
Candy AI vs Character.AI side by side
| Feature | Candy AI | Character.AI |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.3/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Cheapest plan | $3.99/mo 12-month plan, billed $47.88 per year |
$4.99/mo c.ai lite monthly plan ($2.49 a week also offered); c.ai+ is $9.99 a month or $94.99 a year |
| Month to month | $13.99 | $4.99 |
| Free plan | 5 chat messages in total, 1 custom character and 1 generated image | Unlimited messaging with full ads, basic memory, 15 memory pins and a daily taste of premium chat styles |
| Pictures | Yes | Yes |
| Video | Yes | No |
| Voice notes | Yes | Yes |
| Live voice calls | No | Yes |
| Group chats | No | Yes |
| A character builder | Yes | Yes |
| 18+ chat | Yes | No |
| Memory | Conversational | Long-term |
| Company | EverAI Limited, Malta (reg. C107181) | Character Technologies, Inc., United States (Menlo Park, California address) |
| Refunds | Only within 24 hours of payment, with 20 tokens or fewer used, card payments only | Payments are non-refundable except where required by law; app store purchases are refunded through Apple or Google |
| Monthly visits | 46M visits a month | 183M visits a month |
How they score
First bar Candy AI, second bar Character.AI. How the scores work.
Price and free plans
Candy AI is cheaper: its lowest plan works out at $3.99 a month against $4.99 for Character.AI. Candy AI costs $13.99 month to month, so paying yearly saves 71%. Character.AI costs $4.99 month to month.
Candy AI free plan: 5 chat messages in total, 1 custom character and 1 generated image. Character.AI free plan: Unlimited messaging with full ads, basic memory, 15 memory pins and a daily taste of premium chat styles.
Features compared
Both apps offer pictures, voice notes and a character builder. Only Candy AI offers video and 18+ chat. Only Character.AI offers live voice calls and group chats.
Memory: Candy AI is listed as conversational, Character.AI as long-term.
Who runs them, refunds and billing
Candy AI is run by EverAI Limited, Malta (reg. C107181). Character.AI is run by Character Technologies, Inc., United States (Menlo Park, California address). Candy AI refunds: Only within 24 hours of payment, with 20 tokens or fewer used, card payments only. Character.AI refunds: Payments are non-refundable except where required by law; app store purchases are refunded through Apple or Google.
Frequently asked questions
Is Candy AI better than Character.AI?
Candy AI scores higher in our ranking, 8.3 against 7.5 out of 10. It comes out ahead on conversation, pictures and video, value.
Which is cheaper, Candy AI or Character.AI?
Candy AI, from $3.99 a month against $4.99. Both prices are the cheapest plan each app advertises, usually billed yearly.
Do Candy AI and Character.AI have voice calls?
Candy AI: voice messages only. Character.AI: yes, live voice calls.
Which has the better free plan?
Candy AI: 5 chat messages in total, 1 custom character and 1 generated image. Character.AI: Unlimited messaging with full ads, basic memory, 15 memory pins and a daily taste of premium chat styles.
Can Candy AI and Character.AI send pictures and videos?
Candy AI: pictures yes, video yes. Character.AI: pictures yes, video no.
More comparisons
Keep reading
- Candy AI reviewPolished and cheap on a yearly plan, but memory stays per chat.
- Character AI reviewUnlimited free chat and free voice calls, but no adult content.
- Candy AI alternativesSites like Candy AI with better memory, live calls or group chat.
- Character AI alternativesApps like Character.AI that allow 18+ roleplay and custom characters.
- Compare appsEvery AI girlfriend app compared head to head.
- Best AI girlfriend appsThe full ranking of every AI girlfriend app we track.
