Character.AI vs OurDream: which AI companion app is better?
Character.AI vs OurDream: OurDream wins, 8.2 to 7.5, for paying adults who want 18+ media and calls, but it has no free messages at all, while Character.AI never charges for chat.
Fandom roleplay and free voice calls
Unlimited messages with ads and basic memory
Try Character.AI freeOur pick
Unlimited chat with coins for media
No free messages, each one costs 1 coin
Visit OurDreamOur verdict
These two sit at opposite ends on price. Character.AI lets you message without limit on the free tier, with ads, basic memory, 15 memory pins and free voice calls; c.ai lite at $4.99 a month cuts the ads and improves memory. OurDream charges non-subscribers a dreamcoin for every message and hands out no free coins, so it only makes sense once you commit to $9.99 a month on the annual plan or $19.99 month to month.
What that buys is everything Character.AI filters out: explicit chat, 18+ images and videos up to 60 seconds, with 1,000 dreamcoins a month and live calls at 50 coins a minute. Both apps have group chats, personas and long-term memory. OurDream runs in the browser only, blurs your saved media if the plan lapses, and stops refunds once a quarter of a purchase is used. The OurDream free plan breakdown shows what non-subscribers can do.
- You want to chat for free with no message cap
- You want fan and anime characters from a huge library
- You want an app from the App Store or Google Play
- You want explicit chat, pictures and long videos
- You want 1,000 dreamcoins a month for media
- You are ready to subscribe from day one
Character.AI vs OurDream side by side
| Feature | Character.AI | OurDream |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| Cheapest plan | $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 |
$9.99/mo Annual plan, billed $119.88 once per year |
| Month to month | $4.99 | $19.99 |
| Free plan | Unlimited messaging with full ads, basic memory, 15 memory pins and a daily taste of premium chat styles | No free messages: non-subscribers pay 1 dreamcoin per chat message and get no free dreamcoins (referrals and Discord events only); images and video need a subscription |
| Pictures | Yes | Yes |
| Video | No | Yes |
| Voice notes | Yes | Yes |
| Live voice calls | Yes | Yes |
| Group chats | Yes | Yes |
| A character builder | Yes | Yes |
| 18+ chat | No | Yes |
| Memory | Long-term | Long-term |
| Company | Character Technologies, Inc., United States (Menlo Park, California address) | Dream Studio USA, Inc., United States (Delaware corporation) |
| Refunds | Payments are non-refundable except where required by law; app store purchases are refunded through Apple or Google | None once more than 25% of a purchase is used; crypto payments are never refunded |
| Monthly visits | 183M visits a month | 47M visits a month |
How they score
First bar Character.AI, second bar OurDream. How the scores work.
Price and free plans
Character.AI is cheaper: its lowest plan works out at $4.99 a month against $9.99 for OurDream. Character.AI costs $4.99 month to month. OurDream costs $19.99 month to month, so paying yearly saves 50%.
Character.AI free plan: Unlimited messaging with full ads, basic memory, 15 memory pins and a daily taste of premium chat styles. OurDream free plan: No free messages: non-subscribers pay 1 dreamcoin per chat message and get no free dreamcoins (referrals and Discord events only); images and video need a subscription.
Features compared
Both apps offer pictures, voice notes, live voice calls, group chats and a character builder. Only OurDream offers video and 18+ chat.
Memory: Character.AI is listed as long-term, OurDream as long-term.
Who runs them, refunds and billing
Character.AI is run by Character Technologies, Inc., United States (Menlo Park, California address). OurDream is run by Dream Studio USA, Inc., United States (Delaware corporation). Character.AI refunds: Payments are non-refundable except where required by law; app store purchases are refunded through Apple or Google. OurDream refunds: None once more than 25% of a purchase is used; crypto payments are never refunded.
Frequently asked questions
Is Character.AI better than OurDream?
OurDream scores higher in our ranking, 8.2 against 7.5 out of 10. It comes out ahead on conversation, pictures and video, value.
Which is cheaper, Character.AI or OurDream?
Character.AI, from $4.99 a month against $9.99. Both prices are the cheapest plan each app advertises, usually billed yearly.
Do Character.AI and OurDream have voice calls?
Character.AI: yes, live voice calls. OurDream: yes, live voice calls.
Which has the better free plan?
Character.AI: Unlimited messaging with full ads, basic memory, 15 memory pins and a daily taste of premium chat styles. OurDream: No free messages: non-subscribers pay 1 dreamcoin per chat message and get no free dreamcoins (referrals and Discord events only); images and video need a subscription.
Can Character.AI and OurDream send pictures and videos?
Character.AI: pictures yes, video no. OurDream: pictures yes, video yes.
More comparisons
Keep reading
- Character AI reviewUnlimited free chat and free voice calls, but no adult content.
- OurDream reviewMillions of characters and group chats; free chat costs coins.
- Character AI alternativesApps like Character.AI that allow 18+ roleplay and custom characters.
- OurDream AI alternativesApps like OurDream with free plans, lower prices or phone apps.
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- Best AI girlfriend appsThe full ranking of every AI girlfriend app we track.
