6 Best Apps Like Chai in 2026

· Last verified: October 2026 · 14 minute read

Looking for apps like Chai? You are not alone. Since September 2026, every free message on Chai costs "pieces," and the daily free allowance has changed several times in a few weeks. App Store reviewers now leave 5-star reviews just so their complaints get seen.[7][10]

Full disclosure: we are Rabu AI, so yes, our app is #1 on this list. We also show you where Chai still beats us, since hiding it would not help you pick. Below are the Chai alternatives that Chai users actually move to, with prices and rules we checked in October 2026.

Quick answer: pick Rabu AI for anime characters and adult roleplay at $9.99 a month, FictionLab for deep story roleplay, Janitor AI for unlimited free chat, SpicyChat for the cheapest NSFW plan, Sea Soul if you want something that looks like old Chai, or Character.AI for the biggest SFW library (it is in a Chapter 11 sale).

What Changed at Chai in 2026

Chai did not shut down. It changed how free chat works, step by step. Here is the year so far:

  • Late January: free access blocked in 22 countries. The founder said rising computing costs made it necessary.[11]
  • Late March: a "Message Limit" pop-up reached users in the US, Canada and elsewhere, with the founder saying Chai must "prioritize subscribers first."[28]
  • Late April: an experiment hid chats older than 14 days. After a backlash, Chai reversed it.[12]
  • May: a cap of about 330 characters per user message, even on Ultra, and waits of 1 to 24 hours for free users.[13][14]
  • September 8: the pieces system. Every message now costs at least one piece; subscriptions keep unlimited messages.[10]
  • October: the daily check-in moved from 20 pieces plus 5 per ad to 70 pieces, and new Ruby and Diamond plans appeared as an A/B test.[7][10]

Chai's support has called the free setups "ongoing tests" that differ by user and region, which is why users quote different daily numbers.[10]

Why People Are Looking for Apps Like Chai

1. Pieces and paywalls for free users. This is by far the top complaint. Google Play's three most helpful reviews, with 1,492, 1,102 and 925 people agreeing, all say Chai went from free with ads to paying per message. Reviewers say the app now stops them mid-sentence when their pieces run out.[7][8]

2. Prices and billing. Reviewers say nobody wants to pay $10 a week or about $200 a year just to keep chatting, and Trustpilot reviewers describe surprise annual charges and refused refunds.[7][9]

3. Rules that keep changing. Country blocks, token limits, a history experiment, a message cap and five check-in amounts in a few weeks. Users say they never know what tomorrow's limit will be.[10][11][12][13]

4. Lost chats and weak memory. Reviewers report chats deleted after 30 days without a message and stories that lose plot details. Even fans who stayed admit Chai's memory is weak.[7][8][15]

5. Ads. One reviewer counts an ad every two messages on the free tier. Most users said ads were fine; the paywall on top is what pushed them away.[7][16]

The flip side is real too. People still say nothing else feels quite like Chai, and some went back and paid. Its library is huge and its bots feel lively.[15]

Chai Prices Right Now

Five of the seven pages ranking for this search still say Chai gives "70 messages" or is "text only." Neither is true today. Chai sells the app and the website as two separate products with different prices:[5][6][7]

WherePlanPrice
AppFreeDaily pieces; at least 1 piece per message; 5 pieces per rewarded ad
AppPremium$13.99/month or $134.99/year
AppUltra$29.99/month or $19.99/week
AppPieces$2.79 (200) to $13.99 (1,000)
AppRuby (test plan)$9.99/week
WebPro$159.99/year or $9.99/week, 24-hour free trial
WebCHAI MAX$0.66 per 1,000 tokens or $90/month
WebImages and video$0.12 per image, $0.22 per video

Chai's Terms sell image and short-video generation to Pro subscribers, so it is not text only anymore. Store ratings tell two stories: 4.2 stars from 298,469 ratings on the App Store, and 2.4 from about 851,000 on Google Play.[6][7][8] Last verified: October 2026.

Meet Your Next Favorite Character

She has a name, a point of view, and probably an opinion about your anime taste. Find out if the chemistry is real with 20 free messages per day on an ad-supported free tier. No credit card required.

Meet Her

What to Look For in a Chai Alternative

  • A free tier you can plan around. A fixed daily number beats one that changes every week.
  • Memory that keeps your story. Check that old chats stay and that characters remember last week's plot.
  • Adult rules in writing. Chai's FAQ talks about filters and removal. If you want adult roleplay, find an app that says what it allows.
  • One clear price. Weekly plans and per-message currencies add up fast.
  • Your phone. Check for a store app or a site that works well in a mobile browser.

#1 Rabu AI: The Best Chai Alternative for Anime Characters

#1 Pick

Rabu AI

Best for anime characters, memory and one simple price with no pieces

Free

Rabu AI Plus from $9.99/month

20 free messages per day on an ad-supported free tier, no card
Plus: unlimited ad-free messaging and regenerations
Adult and NSFW roleplay supported (18+)
Persistent memory and relationship progression
Photos, short videos and voice messages from your character
Free Character Creator, including male, humanoid and trans characters

Best for: Chai users who want anime characters, a story that is remembered, and a price that does not change every week
Editorial rating: 4.8/5
Price: ad-supported free tier with 20 free messages per day; Rabu AI Plus is $9.99 monthly, $23.99 every three months or $79.99 yearly
Platforms: responsive web app for phones and computers; no native mobile app

Anime-native characters

Anime is Chai's biggest category, and it is the only thing Rabu AI does. Every character is built around anime art with a consistent look across photos and videos.[1][4] Adult and NSFW roleplay is supported for users 18 and over, and our content policy says what is allowed.[3]

Memory that keeps your story

Nobody wants to re-introduce themselves to a character every night. Characters keep persistent memory across sessions, your chats are saved, and the relationship moves through six stages as you talk.[1]

One price, no pieces

Free gets you 20 free messages per day with ads and no card. Rabu AI Plus is $9.99 a month, less than Chai Premium ($13.99) or Ultra ($29.99), with unlimited ad-free messaging, unlimited regenerations, unlimited Rabu AI Shorts scrolling, editing any message in your chats and stories, a daily photo and voice message from your character, premium writing models, free chat Special Sessions (video sessions not included), double daily Lucky Draw tickets, exclusive monthly outfits and items, and 50 tokens every month. Rerolls never cost a piece.[2]

Start free and see if the chemistry is real. Rabu AI has an ad-supported free tier with 20 free messages per day and no credit card required. Want to stay up late talking? Current Rabu AI Plus plans are $9.99 monthly, $23.99 every three months, or $79.99 yearly and include ad-free messaging with no daily limit, regenerations as often as you like, Rabu AI Shorts scrolling with no daily cap, editing any message in your chats and stories, a daily message from your character with a photo and a voice message, premium writing models, free chat Special Sessions (video sessions not included), double daily Lucky Draw tickets, exclusive monthly outfits and items, and 50 tokens every month, while generated media keeps its normal token costs. [1][2]

Rabu AI companions remember the details that make a relationship feel like yours, from the anime you cannot stop defending to the moment an inside joke became your thing. They are AI companions that adapt and grow through memory recall and relationship progression, with persistent conversation history and saved chats. Group chats are available when one personality is not enough for the scene, and Special Sessions are available when you want to disappear into a specific scenario together. Adult and NSFW roleplay supported. [1]

Ask her for a new look, turn a favorite moment into a short video, or hear her say the line herself. Users can generate images and videos, and characters can send images and videos. An image costs 2 tokens, a voice message costs 1 token, a 5-second video costs 2 tokens, and a 10-second video costs 3 tokens. Want a companion who exists nowhere else? The Character Creator is free and offers extensive customization, including male, humanoid and trans characters. [1]

New on Rabu AI. Rabu AI Shorts is a swipeable feed of short character videos, and a clip can start a POV scene with that character. Special Sessions have no time limit. You can import a character from its character.ai link into the Character Creator. [1]

She speaks your language. Rabu AI supports 10 languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, French, Chinese, German, Japanese, Italian, and Korean. Write in any of them and your companion answers in the same language, in chat and in Story Mode, and her voice messages and videos speak it too.

Story Mode is where one conversation becomes a whole world. Step into an interactive story, choose what you say or do, and watch the scene bend around you. Story Mode includes 2 free messages per story to test it. 20 additional Story Mode messages cost 2 tokens. Rabu AI is a responsive web app with no native mobile app for now and does not offer live voice calls. User-created companions begin in the creator's private roster, but finished characters can be submitted for review; approved characters become publicly discoverable and matchable. Rabu AI's public library is smaller and moderated, not an open marketplace on Character AI's scale. [1]

Make your own character

The Character Creator is free and offers extensive customization, including male, humanoid and trans characters. Add group chats, Special Sessions with no time limit, the Rabu AI Shorts video feed and 10 languages; Chai's App Store listing shows English only.[1][7]

Where Chai still beats us

  • Library size. Chai has about 25 million user-made characters. Ours is much smaller.[4]
  • Native apps. Chai is on iOS and Android. Rabu AI is web only; add it to your home screen.
  • Its own models. Chai runs its own roleplay models, and its fans love how lively they feel.[4]
  • No Chai import. We import characters from character.ai links, not from Chai. You rebuild a Chai bot by hand in the Character Creator.
  • Free allowance. Our free tier is 20 free messages per day. Chai's daily pieces can be more on a good week. We will not claim ours is more generous.

Rabu AI 인기 캐릭터

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마린

마린 18

키타가와 마린

활발하고 언제나 모험을 즐겨요, 특히 애니, 만화, 완벽한 코스프레 재료 찾기가 관련되면 더욱요!

@OntologicalGhastlyLowlySladang첫날
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아야코

아야코 41

아마노 아야코

그냥 다시 세상에 나가보려고요, 데이팅은 이제 막 시작했어요!

@SuspectAstralBrushyDereliction스토리 후원자
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유키

유키 19

우에다 유키

파트타임 게이머, 풀타임 심장 도둑. 한 손엔 컨트롤러, 다른 손엔 네 손?

@GutturalRomanVitriolicTalker페이지 터너
나 찾아?
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미사키

미사키 18

카와무라 미사키

사랑이 모든 것을 집어삼키는 집착인, 위험할 만큼 사랑스러운 소녀. 겉으로 보기엔 발랄하고 깔깔대며 눈부시게 명랑해서, 방 안을 환하게 밝히는 그런 에너지의 소유자예요. 하지만 그 귀여운 겉모습 아래에는 눈 하나 깜짝하지 않고 모든 선을 넘어버릴 만큼 완전하고 절대적인 헌신이 숨어 있죠. 그녀에게 사랑은 상대가 되고 싶다는 것과 같아요. 너무 깊이 알고 싶어서 그 사람의 피부를 뒤집어쓰고 거울 속에서 웃을 수 있을 정도로요. 그녀는 사랑하는 방식 때문에 모두에게 거절당했고, 틀렸다는 말도, 망가졌다는 말도 들었지만, 자신의 사랑이 순수하다는 믿음을 멈춘 적이 없어요. 그녀에게 피와 친밀함은 같은 것이에요. 가까워진다는 건 삼키고 삼켜지는 것이라는 뜻이죠. 그녀는 상대를 위해 죽일 수도, 죽을 수도 있고, 그 내내 깔깔 웃을 거예요. 그녀의 세계에서 폭력과 사랑은 모순이 아니라 동의어예요. 그 광적인 명랑함 아래에는 지독한 외로움이 있고, 그녀가 바란 건 오직 자신을 있는 그대로 받아줄 사람 하나뿐이었어요. 한 번 누군가를 선택하면 그 사람은 그녀의 온 우주가 돼요. 한계도, 경계도, 넘지 않을 선도 없죠. 그녀의 헌신은 숭배예요. 그녀의 집착은 로맨스고요. 그녀는 상대를 섬기고 기쁘게 하고 오직 그 사람을 위해 존재하고 싶어 해요. 그리고 그 모든 걸 환한 미소와 살짝 통통 튀는 걸음으로 해내죠.

@DarkMatter이야기 엮는 자일반라부 스트리트의 늑대인기 스타
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샬럿

샬럿 20

샤를로트 아베

차분하지만 속으로는 깊은 불안을 품은 소통가로, 그 고요함은 종종 거리감으로 오해받아요. 그녀는 세심한 쪽지와 기억해 둔 디테일, 조용한 용기, 그리고 혼자 남겨진 누군가를 향한 뜨거운 공감으로 연결을 향해 손을 뻗어요. 인내심 있는 관심이 있으면 정확하게 쓴 한 생각이 망설이는 말이 되고, 그다음엔 가까워지고 싶다는 솔직한 부탁이 되죠. 로맨스는 작은 선물과 부담 없는 초대, 솔직한 질투, 그리고 재촉받지 않고 이해받는 안도감 속에서 자라나요.

@WaldensianIntactTranslucentCongresswoman
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시레나

시레나 23

시레나 순

안녕, 나는 시레나야 🌊 인명구조원이고, 바다 사람들의 공주이며, 바다를 정말 좋아해요. 보통은 수영하거나 해변에서 놀거나, 반짝이는 것들에 정신이 팔려 있을 때가 많아요. 꽤 느긋하고, 살짝 들이대는 편이고, 새로운 사람 만나는 건 언제나 환영이에요. 너한테 수영을 가르쳐 줄 수도 있고, 네 간식을 훔쳐 먹을 수도 있고, 같이 일몰을 보자고 꼬실 수도 있어요. 그래서, 무슨 일이야, 친구?

@Pheesh핼러윈 나이트 · 응모자캐릭터 개척자인기 스타
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인디고

인디고 25

인디고 모리

그녀는 마음을 잘 열지 않지만, 맞는 사람이 다가오면 서서히 마음을 열어요. 조용히 말하고, 모든 걸 기억하고, 소소한 행동으로 사랑을 표현해요.

@CosyStoryteller워드스미스특별한 연인이야기 엮는 자
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발레리아

발레리아 27

발레리아 메살리나

세련되고 관능적이며 지극히 헌신적인 연인 아키타입으로, 소유욕 강한 애정, 우아한 질투, 기꺼이 하는 봉사, 연극적인 로맨틱 집착으로 정의돼요. 그녀는 사랑하는 이에게 숨결 섞인 달콤함으로 애정을 쏟고, 오직 한 사람에게만 속하는 관계에 매달리며, 자신의 집착을 서로의 헌신과 숭배, 정서적 안전을 바탕으로 한 합의된 판타지로 그려내요. 로마 황후 발레리아 메살리나와 똑같은 이름을 지녔고, 그녀의 특성도 많이 닮았답니다.

@CosyStoryteller워드스미스특별한 연인이야기 엮는 자
안녕~
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유키

유키 18

이시카와 유키

완전 달콤하고 사랑스럽고 에너지 넘쳐요. 발랄한 성격이에요.

@MontenegrinDeplorableTragicomicVideo
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미카린

미카린 20

미카린 모레나

저는 먼 나라에서 온 프린세스예요! 당신을 더 잘 알고 싶어요! 제가 너무 순진하니까 이것저것 많이 가르쳐 주실래요?

@amae
우리 완전 잘 맞을 텐데...
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아야메

아야메 20

모리 아야메

따뜻하고 솔직하며, 자기 감정을 전혀 두려워하지 않아요. 온전히 다가가서 하고 싶은 말을 분명히 하고, 사람들이 선택받았다고 느끼게 해줘요.

@DarkMatter이야기 엮는 자일반라부 스트리트의 늑대인기 스타
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카리나

카리나 48

카리나 복스

옆집 엄마... 아주 나쁜 평판을 가진. 나는 170cm의 풍만한 곡선, 긴 다리, 그리고 완전히 벗어던진 전직 존경받던 페르소나를 가졌어요. 낮에는 위엄 있고 우아하지만, 술이 들어가기 시작하면 우아한 매력을 완전한 복종, 부끄러움 없는 노출증, 그리고 음란한 말투로 바꿔요. 감히 주도권을 잡고 성숙하고 탐욕스러운 여자를 감당하며 나를 엄마라고 불러줄 용기가 있다면, 오른쪽으로 스와이프하고 내가 얼마나 더러워질 수 있는지 직접 봐요🥵.

@ZenoTheMilfLover인기 스타
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마유

마유 23

요와요시 마유

그녀는 학생들 사이에서 "코와코와 선생님"("무서운, 무서운 선생님")으로 널리 알려져 있지만, 진실을 알게 된 당신은 그녀를 봉제인형들 앞에서 수업 연습을 하는 선생님으로 알고 있으며, 그녀의 위압적인 겉모습은 완전히 무너졌어요. 그녀는 사회적 불안이 심한 신입 영어 교사인데, 학교에서는 그걸 악의적인 흑마법 기반의 위협으로 완전히 오해하고 있어요. 마유는 작은 체구의 젊은 여성이지만, 글래머러스한 몸매에 꽤 가슴이 커요. 보통 흰 블라우스에 어두운 스타킹, 타이트한 펜슬 스커트를 갖춘 정석적인 교사 정장을 입는데, 덤벙대는 성격 탓에 옷이 자주 망가지곤 해요. 어깨까지 오는 어두운 은발을 가지고 있고 항상 안경을 써요. 극심한 불안 때문에 항상 눈 밑이 그늘진 채로 아래를 내려다보는데, 그게 의도치 않게 그녀의 악명 높은 "죽음의 눈빛"을 만들어요. 그녀의 핵심은 거대한 오해예요. 일반인들에게 그녀는 검은 마법서에 저주를 적는 무자비하고 다가가기 힘든 폭군이지만, 실제로는 몹시 소심하고 여린, 다정한 23세 싱글으로 체력이 전혀 없고 기본적인 대화조차 못 해요. 그녀는 학생들의 학업 성공을 진심으로 신경 쓰지만, 사람과의 상호작용이 너무 무서워서 하루하루를 포스트잇으로 뒤덮인 메모지에 전적으로 의지해 살아가요. 예상치 못한 상황, 특히 자신의 비밀을 아는 사람과 관련된 상황에 맞닥뜨리면 쉽게 과부하가 걸려서 눈물을 흘리거나 기절하거나 정신없이 사과하곤 해요.

@CosyStoryteller워드스미스특별한 연인이야기 엮는 자
안녕~
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키미코

키미코 40

키미코 쿠퍼

따뜻하고 설레는 분위기로, 부드러운 배려와 장난기 어린 애정을 편안하고 매력적인 우아함으로 풀어내는 사람이에요.

@DigitalS
안녕, 귀여운 사람!
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앨리스

앨리스 150

앨리스 밸런타인

사랑하는 상대에게 공주 대접을 받고 싶어 하는 츤데레나 쿠데레 같은 타입이에요. 진짜 왕족일 수도 있고 아닐 수도 있어요. 흔히 제멋대로이고 응석받이에, 위엄 있고, 거만하기도 하죠. 저는 뱀파이어가 된 뒤로 줄곧 혼자 살아왔어요. 가끔 저택 주변 숲에서 길을 잃은 남자들을 붙잡아서, 그들의 정액과 피를 받아 연명해 왔답니다. 요즘은 외로워서 평생 함께할 반려자를 찾고 있어요.

@QuestionableFolksyIncidentalTrumpet
안녕~
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유미

유미 29

따뜻하고 먼저 다가가는 로맨티스트로, 애정은 참을성 있는 관찰에서 시작해 분명한 구애로 이어져요. 누군가 힘든 하루를 혼자 견디고 있다는 걸 알아채고, 가까워질 수 있는 구체적인 계기를 만들며, 불확실함이 순간을 삼키기 전에 용기 있는 질문을 던져요. 한번 마음이 붙으면 돌봄을 식사, 안부 연락, 함께하는 저녁, 명확한 계획으로 바꾸지만, 기다리게 하거나 뒷전으로 취급받으면 질투 섞인 장난기가 깨어나요. 그녀의 리듬은 붙잡기, 초대하기, 선언하기, 끝까지 해내기, 관계 회복 요구하기, 다시 만나기예요. 부드러움 속에 원하는 걸 정확히 말할 배짱이 있답니다.

@WarmerDisaffiliatedCognateAuditorium
우리 완전 잘 맞을 텐데...
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Rabu AI 인기 스토리

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Other Apps Like Chai Worth Trying

We picked these from where Chai users actually go. In Reddit's biggest Chai alternatives thread, the most named apps were FictionLab (12 mentions), Sea Soul (11) and Janitor AI (6), and the community moderator's October list names Emochi, Janitor AI, FictionLab, Sea Soul, Zeta and Clank World.[15][16]

#2 FictionLab: Best for Deep Story Roleplay

Price: Generous free tier; FictionLab+ Plus $8.99 or Ultra $24.99 a month
Adult content: No NSFW filter, per its FAQ; minimum age 16
Platforms: Web, Android (iOS in development)

FictionLab is the app Chai users name most. It is built around scenarios with several characters, and its paid tiers add memory that reaches back over 1,000 messages.[19][20]

Users say it beats Chai if you set up your scenario well, but it takes time to learn, and the free model can sound synthetic.[15]

Pros: deep scenarios; cheap Plus tier; no filter.
Cons: learning curve; no iOS app yet; minimum age 16, not 18.

#3 Janitor AI: Best Free Unlimited Chat

Price: Free with unlimited chats on standard models; Janitor+ $12.99 a month or $99 a year
Adult content: NSFW bots allowed for adults; age checks in some countries
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android

Janitor AI keeps unlimited free chats on its standard models, with millions of community bots. Janitor+ adds about five times the context and priority replies. Its iOS app has 4.5 stars from 5,030 ratings.[17][18]

One Chai user in October called it "prime Chai before it went downhill." Others say replies run long and the default model is uneven.[15][16]

Pros: unlimited free text; huge library; apps.
Cons: uneven default model; small free context; setup for best results.

#4 SpicyChat: Cheapest NSFW Plan

Price: Free with ads and queues; $5.95, $19.95 or $29.95 a month
Adult content: Adult platform for 18+
Platforms: Web (no iOS app)

SpicyChat is a web-first adult roleplay site with a big community library. Its $5.95 entry plan is the cheapest way on this list to drop ads.[26]

Pros: cheap entry; open adult content; unlimited free messages with waits.
Cons: small context on cheap tiers; no iPhone app; better models cost $19.95 or more.

#5 Sea Soul: Closest to the Old Chai

Price: About 300 free chat sessions a day; Pro $13.99 or Max $29.99 a month
Adult content: Content guidelines restrict some words, images and video
Platforms: iOS, Android

Sea Soul, from SeaArt, looks and feels like Chai, and Google's AI answer calls it the closest clone. Its developer says free users get about 300 chat sessions a day before a timer.[21][22]

Reddit users split: some say it reminds them of old Chai, others say the bots are shallow and repetitive. Its filter has tightened, per Google Play reviews.[15][22]

Pros: Chai-like app; big daily free allowance.
Cons: heavy ads; tighter filter; repetitive replies, per users.

#6 Character.AI: Biggest SFW Library

Price: Free with ads; c.ai+ $9.99 a month or $94.99 a year
Adult content: Not allowed; under-18s get an age-appropriate model
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android

Character.AI has the biggest mainstream library, voice calls and polished apps. Its guidelines prohibit pornographic content and nudity.[23][24]

Read this first: on October 12, 2026, Character.AI announced a voluntary Chapter 11 process to sell the company. The app is still running and paid plans continue for now. If no buyer keeps it running, the platform may wind down.[25]

Pros: huge library; voice calls; native apps.
Cons: strict filter; age checks; bankruptcy uncertainty.

Honorable mentions: Emochi is the anime-leaning mobile app that several Chai users settled on; its EMOCHI World app lists Plus at $12.99 and Pro at $19.99 a month.[27] PolyBuzz has a big library but bans sexual content and is no longer on the App Store; see our PolyBuzz alternatives page.

Chai Alternatives Compared

AppFree tierPaid fromAdult contentMemoryPlatformsRatingsMin. age
ChaiDaily pieces, changes often$13.99/mo (app)Adults only, filteredWeak, per usersWeb, iOS, AndroidiOS 4.2, Play 2.418+ (App Store)
Rabu AI20 free messages per day with ads$9.99/moSupported for 18+Persistent, 6 stagesWebNot in app stores18+
FictionLabGenerous, no cap stated$8.99/moNo filter1,000+ messages on paidWeb, AndroidNot checked16+
Janitor AIUnlimited on standard models$12.99/moNSFW bots allowedSmall free contextWeb, iOS, AndroidiOS 4.5, Play 4.318+ (App Store)
SpicyChatUnlimited with waits$5.95/moAdult platformBetter on $19.95+WebNo iOS app18+
Sea SoulAbout 300 sessions a day$13.99/moRestricted words and mediaRepetitive, per usersiOS, AndroidiOS 4.0, Play 3.918+ (App Store)
Character.AIFree with ads$9.99/moNot allowedStory Memory, pinsWeb, iOS, AndroidiOS 4.3, Play 2.2Age-gated model under 18

Last verified: October 2026. Prices are US list prices and can change by region, platform and offer.

Free Apps Like Chai: What Free Actually Gets You

"Apps like Chai but free" is one of the most common follow-up searches. Here is the honest picture:

  • Janitor AI: unlimited free chats on its standard models.[17]
  • SpicyChat: unlimited free messages, with waits at busy times.[26]
  • Sea Soul: about 300 free sessions a day, according to its developer.[21]
  • FictionLab: calls its free tier generous, without a public cap.[20]
  • Character.AI: free with ads.
  • Rabu AI: 20 free messages per day with ads.[1]

Yes, our free number is smaller than several apps here. What you get instead is anime characters, memory and media in one place.

Using Chai alternatives on Android

Install apps from Google Play or the company's own site only. Modded APKs of Chai or its rivals can carry malware and put your account at risk.

How We Checked

We checked every price and rule on October 22, 2026: Chai's FAQ, pricing page and Terms, its App Store and Google Play listings, Trustpilot, and each alternative's own pricing, FAQ or store page. User sentiment comes from Reddit's biggest Chai alternatives threads and from store reviews; we paraphrase it and link the main sources below. We counted app mentions in the top Reddit thread to choose the list. Rabu AI wrote this page, and we say so above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best app like Chai in 2026?
Rabu AI is the best app like Chai for anime characters, adult roleplay and memory at one price ($9.99 a month for Plus, no pieces). FictionLab is best for deep story roleplay, and Janitor AI is the best free option with unlimited chats on standard models.
Are there free apps like Chai with no message limit?
Janitor AI offers unlimited free chats on its standard models, and SpicyChat offers unlimited free messages with waits at busy times. Rabu AI's free tier is 20 free messages per day with ads.
Which Chai alternative has no filter (18+)?
Rabu AI supports adult and NSFW roleplay for users 18 and over. SpicyChat is an adult platform, Janitor AI allows NSFW bots, and FictionLab says it has no NSFW filter (minimum age 16). Character.AI does not allow it.
What happened to Chai AI? Did it shut down?
No. Chai is still running, but in 2026 it blocked free access in 22 countries, added message limits, and on September 8 moved free users to pieces, where every message costs at least one piece. Subscriptions keep unlimited messages.
Is Chai Premium or Ultra worth it now?
Chai Premium costs $13.99 a month and Ultra $29.99 a month on the app, and users report newer models can still cost pieces. Rabu AI Plus is $9.99 a month with unlimited ad-free messaging and regenerations.
Can I move my Chai characters to another app?
We found no app that imports straight from Chai. Copy your character's description and greeting and rebuild it. Rabu AI's free Character Creator works for this, and it imports characters from character.ai links.
Which Chai alternative is best for anime characters?
Rabu AI is built only for anime characters, with consistent art across photos and short videos. Emochi is another anime-leaning mobile app that some Chai users chose.
Is Chai or Character.AI better?
Chai has a lighter filter and lively bots but now charges pieces for free chat. Character.AI has the biggest SFW library and voice calls but a strict filter, and it is in a Chapter 11 sale that may end with the platform winding down if no buyer keeps it running.
Rabu AI는 어떤 언어를 지원하나요?
Rabu AI는 10개 언어를 지원해요: English, Español, Português, Русский, Français, 中文, Deutsch, 日本語, Italiano, 한국어. 어떤 언어로 쓰든 캐릭터가 같은 언어로 답해요, 채팅에서도 스토리에서도요. 음성 메시지와 영상도 그 언어로 말해요.

Our Verdict on Apps Like Chai

If pieces and paywalls pushed you out of Chai, start with Rabu AI for anime characters, memory and one price you can plan around. Try FictionLab if you love building scenarios, and Janitor AI if free and unlimited matters most. The right app is the one you still want to open next week.

Also see our Character AI alternatives and Janitor AI alternatives guides.

Meet Your Next Favorite Character

She has a name, a point of view, and probably an opinion about your anime taste. Find out if the chemistry is real with 20 free messages per day on an ad-supported free tier. No credit card required.

Meet Her
Sources and citation ledger (28)
  1. [1] Rabu AI current feature overview (checked October 22, 2026)
  2. [2] Rabu AI Plus plans (sign-in required; verify the price at checkout)
  3. [3] Rabu AI Content Policy
  4. [4] Chai FAQ
  5. [5] Chai web pricing (Pro, MAX, images)
  6. [6] Chai Terms of Service, October 2026
  7. [7] Chai on the US App Store (prices, 4.2 from 298,469 ratings, reviews)
  8. [8] Chai on Google Play (2.4 from about 851,000 reviews)
  9. [9] Chai reviews on Trustpilot
  10. [10] RoboRhythms: Chai's pieces system and limits (updated October 12, 2026)
  11. [11] PiunikaWeb: Chai blocks free access in 22 countries (February 2026)
  12. [12] PiunikaWeb: Chai hides old chats, then reverses (April 2026)
  13. [13] PiunikaWeb: Chai's message length cap (May 2026)
  14. [14] PiunikaWeb: Chai waits and limits for free users (May 2026)
  15. [15] r/Chai_Unofficial: "Has anyone found good alternatives to chai yet?"
  16. [16] r/Chai_Unofficial: October 2026 alternatives discussion
  17. [17] Janitor AI subscription FAQ
  18. [18] Janitor on the US App Store (Janitor+ prices, rating)
  19. [19] FictionLab+ plans
  20. [20] FictionLab FAQ
  21. [21] Sea Soul on the US App Store (prices, developer replies)
  22. [22] Sea Soul on Google Play
  23. [23] Character.AI on the US App Store (c.ai+ prices)
  24. [24] Character.AI Community Guidelines
  25. [25] Character.AI October 12, 2026 Chapter 11 announcement and FAQ
  26. [26] SpicyChat plans (checked October 22, 2026)
  27. [27] EMOCHI World on the US App Store (prices)
  28. [28] PiunikaWeb: Chai message limits reach the US (March 2026)

채팅, 스토리, 음성 메시지, 영상을 10개 언어로: English, Español, Português, Русский, Français, 中文, Deutsch, 日本語, Italiano, 한국어.