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Character.AI

Chat and roleplay with millions of user-made AI characters, free with unlimited messaging.

Sources checked

Visit website ↗
Pricing
Free with unlimited messaging. (c.ai) lite starts at $4.99 a month (prices vary by region) and adds a daily allowance of premium chat-style messages, fewer ads and 30 memory pins. c.ai+ adds unlimited premium chat styles, no ads, the full memory suite and faster replies; its price is shown at checkout and was not published on the pages Ordalin checked. Official source 1 ↗
Available as
Web app plus official apps for iPhone, iPad and Android. Official source 1 ↗ · Official source 2 ↗
Primary group
Writing & Language

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What it does

Character.AI is an AI chat app where you talk with millions of characters made by other users or create your own. It runs on the web and in iPhone and Android apps, and messaging is free and unlimited, with optional (c.ai) lite and c.ai+ subscriptions for premium chat styles, better memory and fewer or no ads. The service is run by Character Technologies, Inc. Its terms bar users under 13, and under 16 in the EEA and UK, and it offers age assurance and a Parental Insights report for teen accounts.

Official source 1 ↗ · Official source 2 ↗ · Official source 3 ↗

Features

  • Millions of community characters. Chat with more than 10 million characters created by other users, from fictional figures to original personas. Official source 1 ↗
  • Create your own characters. Build your own AI character; the terms say you own the characters you create. The help center has guides on writing personas and scenes. Official source 1 ↗ · Official source 2 ↗
  • Memory pins and Lorebooks. Pin details for characters to remember: 15 pins free, 30 on (c.ai) lite, and the full memory suite with private Lorebooks on c.ai+. Official source 1 ↗
  • Premium chat styles. Subscribers get premium chat-style messages: a daily allowance on (c.ai) lite and unlimited on c.ai+. Free chats continue on the standard styles. Official source 1 ↗
  • Parental Insights. Teens can invite a parent or guardian to receive a weekly email with their time on Character.AI and the characters they talk to most. Official source 1 ↗
  • Safety centre and moderation. Community guidelines, reporting tools, moderation policies and an age assurance section with resources for parents. Official source 1 ↗

Pricing & free limits

Free

$0Free

Unlimited messaging on the standard chat styles, 15 memory pins, with ads. Official source 1 ↗

(c.ai) lite

From $4.99 (varies by region)Per month

Daily premium chat-style messages, fewer ads, 30 memory pins, a usage view and chat customization. Official source 1 ↗

c.ai+

Shown at checkoutSubscription

Unlimited premium chat styles, no ads, full memory suite with Lorebooks, faster replies, skip waiting rooms and early access to features. Official source 1 ↗ · Official source 2 ↗

Billing details

App subscriptions are managed and refunded through the App Store or Google Play; web subscriptions are paid via Stripe and handled through Character.AI support. Plans stay active to the end of the billing period. Official source 1 ↗

Web subscriptions accept credit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Official source 1 ↗

Free access & limits

Free users can be placed in a waiting room when the service is busy; subscribers skip it. Official source 1 ↗

Best for & limitations

Casual chat and roleplay with fictional or original characters. Official source 1 ↗

Writing and sharing your own characters and scenes. Official source 1 ↗

Families who want a weekly activity summary of a teen's use. Official source 1 ↗

  • Minimum age 13 (16 in the EEA and UK). The terms bar younger users from signing up. Official source 1 ↗
  • Replies can be wrong or offensive. Character.AI says it does not pre-screen content and AI chats can produce inaccurate or offensive output. Official source 1 ↗
  • Chats are used for model training. Character.AI's training data includes text content and interaction data from users. Official source 1 ↗
Character.AI product screenshot
Website previewFixed desktop viewport · 1440 × 900

Editorial

Shortlists, alternatives and comparisons that include Character.AI.

AlternativesPolyBuzz alternatives after the iPhone app left the App StorePolyBuzz's iPhone app is gone from the App Store. Three AI character chat apps compared on platforms, age limits, content rules and price.3 tools

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