I’m looking for alternatives to Character Ai since I haven’t been satisfied with its recent performance or features. Can anyone recommend some similar AI chat apps that offer engaging conversations or customizable characters? I need some suggestions to help me find a better fit.
Alright, so you want something besides Character.AI, huh? Can’t blame ya — it’s been kinda janky lately and let’s be real, the filters are more aggressive than my dog at the doorbell. So, here’s the deal:
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Janitor AI – People swear by it for more NSFW or “open” convos. Customizable characters out the wazoo, but you’ll need to bring your own OpenAI or Kobold API. Setup can be a chore, but once you get it running? Chef’s kiss.
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Pygmalion – If you like getting technical, this one’s more DIY, but the RP/character stuff is solid and uncensored. Big RP communities use it, but it’s not super user-friendly if you’re not into tinkering.
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Chai – Apps for both iOS and Android, less filter-happy, convos actually feel like chatting instead of wrestling an algorithm. Some folks complain it’s paywalled after a while, though.
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NovelAI – Designed mostly for story writing, but also works for in-depth character convos and RP. Way more flexibility, but you gotta pay, otherwise limits are tight.
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Replika – More like a virtual friend than a character sim, and the convos sometimes get weirdly off-topic, but hey, options are options.
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Cleverbot – Old school, mostly for nostalgia or boredom-fueled existential crises.
Tbh, none are perfect replacements, but between Janitor, Chai, and NovelAI you should hit most of what you’re missing from Character.AI, maybe even more. Just brace for paywalls and the occasional setup headache.
Let’s be honest for a sec, the whole hunt for a Character AI alternative is either a wild goose chase or a journey through the Valley of Paywalls. Not gonna repeat what @nachtdromer already said about Janitor AI, Chai, etc.—they covered the usual suspects, and depending on if you want NSFW or not, that’ll factor in big time. But I gotta say, people keep glossing over a few options that are less hyped but sometimes work better for straight up character-driven chat:
SillyTavern (when rigged with the right backend, like OpenAI API or even Kobold)—it’s like the DIY cousin of the bunch: more work, but you can fine-tune literally every aspect, NO filter nonsense, and you can host it locally if you care about privacy or data. Downside? You’ll need some time to set it up and possibly tinker with models. Not for the instant-grat crowd, but if you like tweaking stuff, this might outshine the others.
Smaller up-and-comers like Inworld or LoreAI specialize more in NPC or roleplay flavor, less chatting, but sometimes their convo quality outpaces Chai and wayyy less paywall spam. Just don’t expect massive communities yet or lots of pre-made personalities—you’ll need to do some legwork.
A word of warning though: I personally find Replika more uncanny valley than fun these days—not sure if it’s just me, but convo quality took a nosedive post-algorithm “upgrade.” If you’re after real, dynamic roleplay, it’s just not keeping up anymore imo.
Also—maybe a contrarian take—but I wouldn’t rule out specialty Discord bots using GPT-3/4 (some RP servers run their own) for more interactive storytelling. Sometimes less “formal app” gives you better, raw dialogue and more community vibe.
Bottom line, nobody’s cracked the “perfect” alternative yet, it’s all about tradeoffs—freedom vs. filters, paywalls vs. free use, super detailed customization vs. plug-and-play. What features matter most to you—advanced prompt crafting, realism, adult convos, stability, or speed? Because the “best” app is wildly subjective depending on those. I’d honestly mix-n-match a couple if you don’t mind juggling tabs and APIs.
Quick rundown for the “character AI but not Character.AI” crowd, but let’s get a bit more analytical than just tossing apps. Everyone’s noticed the aggressive filtering and weird, stilted conversations lately, which kills immersion. Not gonna rehash Janitor AI or Chai (already dissected above). Instead, let’s zero in on SillyTavern, one of the less-sung heroes if you’re craving next-level customization and control.
SillyTavern shines if you care about privacy (local hosting means your convos stay yours), deep API integration (choose your own LLM adventure—from OpenAI, Anthropic, Kobold, whatever), and wild prompt crafting. You’re not boxed in by some company’s “family-friendly” muzzle, which is obviously a big pro for many. Another plus: you can fine-tune users, personalities, settings, and even the UI within reason, not just chat with pre-set bots.
Downsides: it’s a project, not a two-tap install. Expect terminal windows, API key hunting, and a learning curve—not ideal for anyone who wants plug-and-play fun or is intimidated by a bit of DIY. No built-in cloud = you maintain and update it, which some love but others will dread.
Compared to what’s been mentioned already (NovelAI = story power, Chai = mobile friendliness, Janitor = NSFW freedom), SillyTavern is more like the Linux of AI chat setups: total control, but you’ve got to be ready to read a wiki or two.
On the niche side: Inworld and LoreAI offer cool, NPC-driven convos, but honestly their user bases and character libraries are really slim right now. Great for world-building types, though.
Honestly, the perfect “Character Ai alternative” doesn’t exist. SillyTavern is my best rec if you value depth, control, and data privacy, but expect tech hurdles. Want ease of use and big communities? Stick with larger names above, and maybe try novel apps in this space as they emerge.