Character AI

Character AI (character.ai) is the leading platform for chatting with AI characters. Launched in 2022 by two former Google researchers, it gives access to more than 10 million community-made characters, from fictional heroes and public figures to virtual tutors and role-play partners. Anyone can create their own.

How does Character AI work?

Pick a character, or create one in a few lines (description, personality, greeting), then chat. The AI stays in character and remembers what you pin. Beyond text, Character AI offers voice calls with characters, interactive scenes and stories, image and video creation (Imagine Chat, AvatarFX) and a community feed to share creations. It works on the web, iPhone and Android.

What changed for minors

Since late November 2025, users under 18 no longer have access to open-ended chat with characters, starting in the US and rolling out to other countries. Age is checked with an in-house model combined with third-party tools such as Persona. Minors keep access to character creation, images, videos and the community feed.

Character AI pricing in 2026

• Free: unlimited messages, with ads and basic chat styles.
• (c.ai) lite: $4.99 per month in the US, or $2.49 per week. Fewer ads, a daily allowance of premium chat-style messages, better memory and chat customisation.
• c.ai+: $9.99 per month. No ads, unlimited premium chat styles, the full memory suite and priority access to new features.

Prices vary by country; the app shows the exact amount.

Our verdict on Character AI

Pros: the largest character catalogue, a very creative community and a generous free plan with unlimited messages.

Cons: ads on the free plan, strict content filters and, for minors, the end of open-ended chat. Like any entertainment AI, characters can make things up, so don't rely on them for serious information.

Character AI alternatives

• PolyBuzz: 20M+ characters with voices, very popular on mobile.
• Replika: a single AI companion focused on the relationship.
• GoLove: virtual relationships with detailed characters.
• ChatGPT: for a general-purpose assistant rather than role-play.

Frequently asked questions

Is Character AI free?

Yes. The free plan offers unlimited messages, with ads. The (c.ai) lite and c.ai+ subscriptions are optional.

Is Character AI available on mobile?

Yes, on iPhone and Android, as well as on the web.

What is the minimum age for Character AI?

The app is rated 17+ on the App Store. Since November 2025, under-18 users no longer have access to open-ended chat, and users' age is verified.

Key features

• 10M+ community-made characters.
• Character creation in a few lines: description, personality, greeting.
• Voice calls with characters.
• Interactive scenes and stories.
• Images and videos with Imagine Chat and AvatarFX.
• Memory: pinned messages and lorebook.
• Community feed to share creations.