AI Companion Apps Compared in 2026
Updated . Last reviewed: 2026-09-28. Pricing data: Nomi, Kindroid, Character.AI and Replika notes checked against provider sources on Sep 28, 2026. See the date next to each price.
We make one of the apps on this list, and it’s listed first. Competitor prices carry the date we checked them. For tempteo, we describe what the site does today and link to the current Premium and credit-pack prices.
We make tempteo and list it first, so this isn’t a neutral ranking. What we say about other services comes from their websites and documentation, checked through September 2026. Prices, rules and features may have changed since.
AI companion apps differ most in what you need an account for, how well conversations carry over, which character tools and media they offer, their published rules, and whether you can see prices before signing up. We only compare what our research or the live product supports.
Quick comparison
- tempteo(ours)
- Best forReady-made characters with distinct personalities, or one you createPricingFree tier; 1-, 3-, and 12-month Premium plansContent policyPublished Terms and Safety Guidelines
- Nomi.ai
- Best forLong-term companionship with strong memoryPricing$15.99/mo, $99.99/yr in the App Store; Launch Plan $9.99/moContent policySeparate rules for chat and images
- Kindroid
- Best forVideo calls, internet access on request, and long-term memoryPricingFrom $13.99/mo on web, $15.99 in appContent policyDocumented moderation guidelines
- Character.AI
- Best forWriting character definitions and trying alternative repliesPricingFree tier; c.ai lite $4.99/mo, c.ai+ $9.99/moContent policyPornographic content prohibited by its published FAQ
- Replika
- Best forWellness-style companionship from the best-known name in the categoryPricingNo public pricing, in-app purchases $0.99 to $89.99Content policyWellness-focused moderated experience
Pricing data: Nomi, Kindroid, Character.AI and Replika notes checked against provider sources on Sep 28, 2026. See the date next to each price.
AI companion apps compared
1. tempteo
Our productBest for: Ready-made characters with distinct personalities, or one you create
- Content policy
- tempteo’s Terms and Safety Guidelines set the content rules for every account and list what is not allowed.
- Pricing
- The subscriptions page shows the current price of each Premium plan (1, 3 or 12 months), the credits it includes and when it renews. One-time credit packs are sold separately. Prices are in USD, so check the current quote before purchase.
- Every character has a public profile that shows how she talks
- A profile opens straight into her chat
- Each character remembers facts you tell her, like your name and plans
- The creator lets you choose a look, a personality and a name
- The catalog is picked by tempteo; there is no open directory of user-made characters
- Most features need an account, and some depend on your plan
- Photos, voice and video can be unavailable when an outside AI service is down
- Photos, voice messages and videos use credits, even on Premium
2. Nomi.ai
Best for: Long-term companionship with strong memory
- Content policy
- Separate rules for chat and images
- Pricing
- $15.99/mo, $99.99/yr in the App Store; Launch Plan $9.99/mo
Nomi focuses on long-term continuity and memory. It also advertises selfies, art generation and image editing, and short video clips in beta.
3. Kindroid
Best for: Video calls, internet access on request, and long-term memory
- Content policy
- Documented moderation guidelines
- Pricing
- From $13.99/mo on web, $15.99 in app
Kindroid adds video calls and on-request internet access to its memory features. Some media tools differ between the website and mobile apps, so check the version you plan to use.
4. Character.AI
Best for: Writing character definitions and trying alternative replies
- Content policy
- Pornographic content prohibited by its published FAQ
- Pricing
- Free tier; c.ai lite $4.99/mo, c.ai+ $9.99/mo
Character.AI has a large catalog, a free tier, Scenes, and Personas. Its published rules apply across free and paid accounts.
5. Replika
Best for: Wellness-style companionship from the best-known name in the category
- Content policy
- Wellness-focused moderated experience
- Pricing
- No public pricing, in-app purchases $0.99 to $89.99
Frequently asked questions
How should I choose an AI companion app?
Start with what you’ll actually use. Nomi focuses on long-term continuity, Kindroid documents a wide set of voice and video features, and Character.AI has a large community catalog. tempteo has public character profiles, chat in the browser and on Telegram, a memory of what you tell each character, a free tier and optional Premium plans.
Are there free AI companion apps?
Several apps advertise a free tier, but the limits differ and change over time. On tempteo you can browse character profiles without an account, and signed-in accounts get a free allowance of text messages. Premium plans and credit packs are optional. Check each live product before counting on a message or media allowance.
How did you pick and rank these apps?
We first researched in the browser in February and March 2026 and checked the listed apps again on September 28, 2026, looking at pricing pages, app store listings, published rules and features. Our own product is listed first and labeled. Competitor claims carry the date we checked them, and tempteo claims only describe what the live product does.
Are AI companion apps private?
Policies and practices differ, so read each provider’s current privacy policy before you share anything sensitive. We can’t promise that any of these chats is anonymous or confidential. Treat the conversations as personal data and share with care.
How do the platform rules compare?
Each provider publishes its own rules, and they can differ between text, images, video and mobile apps. Paying doesn’t necessarily change them. Check the current policy and in-app notices before you sign up.