Character.AI vs Replika: which AI companion app is better?
Character.AI vs Replika: Character.AI wins, 7.5 to 7.1, with free voice calls and millions of characters; Replika is the better single companion for emotional support, though calls and romance need its paid plan.
Our pick
Fandom roleplay and free voice calls
Unlimited messages with ads and basic memory
Try Character.AI free
Emotional support and daily check-ins
Free chat, romance and calls are paid
Try Replika freeOur verdict
Neither app is built for 18+ content. Character.AI filters it on every tier; Replika allows romantic chat and selfies only with Pro and the romantic partner status. What you get for free differs sharply. Character.AI gives unlimited messages, two-way voice calls, group chats and a library of millions of characters. Replika gives unlimited text with one companion, while calls, romance, selfies and images are paid.
Replika is the more personal app. You shape one Replika, it keeps a long-term memory you can edit by removing individual memories, and it adds voice and AR calls on paid plans. It costs $4.17 a month on the yearly App Store plan or $14.99 monthly, with no free trial and all purchases final. c.ai lite costs $4.99 a month. Both have iPhone and Android apps. See our Replika alternatives for more.
- You want free voice calls
- You want to roleplay with many characters
- You want group chats and scenes
- You want one companion for daily check-ins
- You want to edit what it remembers
- You want AR calls on a paid plan
Character.AI vs Replika side by side
| Feature | Character.AI | Replika |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 7.5/10 | 7.1/10 |
| 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 |
$4.17/mo Yearly in-app plan, $49.99 on the US App Store |
| Month to month | $4.99 | $14.99 |
| Free plan | Unlimited messaging with full ads, basic memory, 15 memory pins and a daily taste of premium chat styles | Chat is free with no stated cap; voice calls, romantic status, selfies and image generation need a paid plan |
| Pictures | Yes | Yes |
| Video | No | No |
| Voice notes | Yes | Yes |
| Live voice calls | Yes | Yes |
| Group chats | Yes | No |
| A character builder | Yes | No |
| 18+ chat | No | No |
| Memory | Long-term | Long-term |
| Company | Character Technologies, Inc., United States (Menlo Park, California address) | Luka, Inc., United States (Delaware, reg. no. 5663246) |
| Refunds | Payments are non-refundable except where required by law; app store purchases are refunded through Apple or Google | All purchases final; App Store and Google Play purchases go through Apple or Google |
| Monthly visits | 183M visits a month | 408K visits a month |
How they score
First bar Character.AI, second bar Replika. How the scores work.
Price and free plans
Replika is cheaper: its lowest plan works out at $4.17 a month against $4.99 for Character.AI. Character.AI costs $4.99 month to month. Replika costs $14.99 month to month, so paying yearly saves 72%.
Character.AI free plan: Unlimited messaging with full ads, basic memory, 15 memory pins and a daily taste of premium chat styles. Replika free plan: Chat is free with no stated cap; voice calls, romantic status, selfies and image generation need a paid plan.
Features compared
Both apps offer pictures, voice notes and live voice calls. Only Character.AI offers group chats and a character builder.
Memory: Character.AI is listed as long-term, Replika as long-term.
Who runs them, refunds and billing
Character.AI is run by Character Technologies, Inc., United States (Menlo Park, California address). Replika is run by Luka, Inc., United States (Delaware, reg. no. 5663246). Character.AI refunds: Payments are non-refundable except where required by law; app store purchases are refunded through Apple or Google. Replika refunds: All purchases final; App Store and Google Play purchases go through Apple or Google.
Frequently asked questions
Is Character.AI better than Replika?
Character.AI scores higher in our ranking, 7.5 against 7.1 out of 10. It comes out ahead on conversation, memory.
Which is cheaper, Character.AI or Replika?
Replika, from $4.17 a month against $4.99. Both prices are the cheapest plan each app advertises, usually billed yearly.
Do Character.AI and Replika have voice calls?
Character.AI: yes, live voice calls. Replika: 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. Replika: Chat is free with no stated cap; voice calls, romantic status, selfies and image generation need a paid plan.
Can Character.AI and Replika send pictures and videos?
Character.AI: pictures yes, video no. Replika: pictures yes, video no.
More comparisons
Keep reading
- Character AI reviewUnlimited free chat and free voice calls, but no adult content.
- Replika reviewA caring AI friend with real phone apps, but no 18+ chat.
- Character AI alternativesApps like Character.AI that allow 18+ roleplay and custom characters.
- Replika alternativesApps like Replika that remember you, call you and allow 18+ chat.
- Compare appsEvery AI girlfriend app compared head to head.
- Best AI girlfriend appsThe full ranking of every AI girlfriend app we track.
