Until recently, chat bots were limited to providing generic answers related to their area of expertise and little else. That all changed with the appearance of Character AI and similar highly advanced applications that are able to replicate human formulation of sentences quite faithfully and respond to prompts related to many different areas of interest.
Character AI lets you create new personalities and converse with them in natural language on a wide variety of topics. This software is very popular thanks to its innovative features, but in the short time since it was released, it got a lot of viable competitors. As a result, users have a wide choice of generative AI tools that can create custom personalities and shouldn’t rush to choose only one.
Since it can be challenging to differentiate between all those products that serve a similar function, we compiled a list of the 10 best Character AI alternatives in 2023.
Also Read: Why is Character AI Down >
Why Do You Need a Character AI Alternative?
Most people who try Character AI are thrilled to discover the amazing possibilities it affords, but after the novelty wears off some users realize this tool is not perfect. Character AI is designed with a specific purpose in mind and may not fit every user’s needs, so it’s entirely sensible to seek for good alternatives. Here is a list of reasons why you may want to switch from Character AI to another AI chatbot that serves a similar purpose:
- You don’t like the interface and functionalities that Character AI has
- You need to generate NSFW characters that Character AI won’t create
- Character AI frequently fails to execute your prompts or is unavailable completely
- There is a specific character you want to create that Character AI doesn’t simulate well
- You are interested in trying as many new AI tools as possible for educational purposes
Top 10 Character AI Alternatives in 2023
Anima AI
This chatbot was designed to be a long-term companion or even a romantic partner, so if this is the type of character generation that you are interested in, give it a spin. The conversations with the bot are very realistic, especially if you share a lot of private information with it. In fact, the fantasy relationship can be so developed that sometimes you’ll need a reminder you are not chatting with a real person.
Anima AI Interface
Best features:
- Highly specialized AI chatbot for romance and friendship
- 24/7 availability can be essential for people going through an acute crisis
- Includes goals and rewards based on gamification principles
Main shortcomings:
- Requires JavaScript to run
- This is a mobile-only app, and there is no desktop version
Platforms supported: iOS and Android
Janitor AI
Widely regarded as one of the better character-building apps of the latest generation, Janitor AI is fun to use and offers lots of wildly different options. It brings a huge collection of pre-set characters and removes many of the limitations that Character AI has in place. With this tool you can really let your imagination run wild and test out all fantasy scenarios that you have been thinking about.
Janitor AI Interface
Best features:
- AI chatbot application that lets you interact with different virtual personalities
- This is an online tool that requires no download
- Database with more than 50,000 pre-defined characters
Main shortcomings:
- Users must register on the site before they can access chat bots
- It’s not possible to create custom characters from scratch
Platforms supported: Browser-based
Replika
If you would like a companion that is always there for you and understands your pains better than anyone, you can create it with Replica. Chat bots made with this tool are capable of in-depth interaction, and they become more sophisticated the more they learn about you. That’s why Replica is one of the better Character AI alternatives for lonely people.
Replika Interface
Best features:
- Companion chat bot that acts as compassionate and understanding friend
- Supports video calls in addition to text-based chats
- It’s possible to use AR technology and have pictures taken in the real world with a virtual soul mate
- Chatbot gradually learns through interactions and becomes more personalized
Main shortcomings:
- NSFW is not allowed in the chat
- Some responses may feel too scripted
Platforms supported: browser access, iOS, Android, Oculus
Further Reading: Text Based Video Editor >
LivePerson
Software can never replace a real human being, but it can come close in some regards. With this fun app you can create approximations of real people and engage in meaningful conversations with them. Thanks to advanced AI algorithm powering the chat bot, LivePerson can produce nuanced and well-balanced personalities that can play many different roles.
LivePerson Interface
Best features:
- Business oriented generative AI app for creating virtual personalities
- Chat bot can use voice generation technology to speak out
- Helps to collect conversational intelligence that can be analyzed for insights
- Specific solutions for different industries can be pre-trained
Main shortcomings:
- This is a paid solution poorly suited for individual users
- In depth understanding of business methodology is needed for optimal use
Platforms supported: Browser access, iOS, Android
Cleverbot
You can have a lot of fun chatting with this intelligent piece of software, and you can do it without registering an account or downloading any software. Cleverbot is one of the first AI chatbots to become available, and it has a reputation for providing witty, unpredictable answers. You may not want it talking to your customers, but it will regularly put a smile on your face.
Cleverbot Interface
Best features:
- General purpose, cloud-based chatbot app with excellent AI algorithm powering it
- Minimalist user interface that facilitates casual conversations
- The bot learns from previous interactions to deliver more personalized answers
- This app performs very well in open-ended, loosely structured scenarios
Main shortcomings:
- There is only one bot persona and it can’t be changed
- This app is not intended for business use
Platforms supported: iOS
Kupid AI
Falling in love with a chat bot may not be the best idea, so be careful how you use Cupid AI. This AI software is designed to shower you with attention and understanding, and it uses language in such a skilled way that you might forget there is no human on the other side. On the other hand, you can be certain your secrets are completely safe with a digital companion of this kind.
Kupid AI Interface
Best features:
- Configurable AI-powered chatbot that can display empathy and emotional support
- Users can shape their virtual friends or girlfriends to their taste
- Chat bot is capable of taking part in complex role playing fantasies
- AI model is highly adaptable and can adjust to different scenarios
Main shortcomings:
- Better suited for fantasy purposes than for creating realistic personalities
- Free users don’t have access to full range of features
Platforms supported: Browser access
AI Dungeon
This app goes beyond mere character creation and allows users to engage in gameplay with their AI-powered heroes. In addition to making custom characters, AI can also help shape narratives and environments. In a way, interacting with this app is like participating in a game of Dungeons and Dragons, only the role of the game master is assumed by AI.
AI Dungeon Interface
Best features:
- Game-focused AI app that supports visual character creation
- Players can choose between several scenarios and settings (i.e. mystery, cyber-punk, post-apocalyptic…)
- Race, class, gender, and other parameters can be chosen for each character
- There is a multiplayer mode that lets you share your creations with others
Main shortcomings:
- This is a paid app with 3 membership tiers, so unlocking all features is expensive
- AI generated dialogue can occasionally be illogical
Platforms supported: Browser access
Silly Tavern AI
Instead of delivering text-generation service directly, this software lets you connect to a number of different AI engines to complete the desired tasks. The end result is still impressive, as you can interact with a huge number of invented personalities through this app. Silly Tavern AI is a great place to explore your creativity and push the boundaries of virtual reality a bit further.
Silly Tavern AI
Best features:
- Software interface that connects to multiple AI powered platforms, including OpenAI API, Kobold AI, Window AI, etc.
- Very effective for creating custom characters based on real-life people
- Nearly unlimited possibilities for role-play and immersive storytelling
- The app can memorize world-building elements used earlier so you can reuse them later
Main shortcomings:
- Results may vary based on which AI platform is used to generate text
- Installation and setup are quite complex
Platforms supported: Windows, Linux, Android
Harpy AI
This is a character-creation tool that grants the user a lot of freedom to go in any direction he chooses. Unlike Character AI and many of its clones, Harpy AI allows NSFW content and has fewer limitations regarding the range of possible responses. While there are more recently released tools that are more feature-rich, this AI software remains a safe choice when you need to create unique personalities.
Harpy AI Interface
Best features:
- AI chatbot service that offers a huge selection of pre-made characters and the chance to create new ones from scratch
- Bots have a broader range of responses than on most competing AI platforms
- Non-human and fantasy characters are among the offered options
Main shortcomings:
- The user interface is very crowded and difficult to get around
- The platform occasionally crashes without an obvious reason
Platforms supported: browser access
Charstar AI
Designed with the idea to let users experiment with character creation without limits, Charstar AI is becoming a serious competitor to Character AI. This software empowers users to create imaginary characters in minutes, share them with the world, and interact with them in a multitude of ways, including games, quizzes, and other fun activities.
Charstar AI Interface
Best features:
- Character creation app that allows users to see each other’s creations
- Supports NSFW conversations with customized chat bots
- Lots of different character categories to choose from
- Visual appearance of the characters can be customized
Main shortcomings:
- Paid plan is needed to unlock all the features
- With no guardrails in place, AI model can produce hateful or biased content
Platforms supported: Browser access
FAQs about Character AI Alternatives
Which types of character-creation tools powered by AI are currently available?
In addition to general-purpose apps that let you generate any type of character you like, there are also AI platforms that specialize in specific types of characters. Right now, romantic companion apps and business-oriented personality simulations are the most common.
Can chat bot personalities truly understand human thoughts and emotions?
No, there is no real intelligence behind AI chatbots. They are basically very sophisticated statistical machines for manipulating language, nothing else. Despite their ability to seemingly maintain deep and nuanced conversations, chatbots don’t actually have a way of understanding what is said.
Is it better to use a web-based character generator or to install an app of this kind on my phone?
Both types of apps work really great and take up only minimal resources. Having an app installed on your device allows you to interact with your favorite characters even when you are offline, which can be a big advantage for some users.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to get excited about all the amazing innovations brought about by generative AI applications, and virtual character creation is one of the niches that are growing very fast at the moment. Character AI was one of the early risers, but today there are plenty of strong alternatives, including more narrowly defined tools. Since all of the AI apps listed above are available for free at least in a limited capacity, we recommend that you try as many of them as you can. Please tell us in the comments what you found and let everyone know which AI character generation software you think is the best.
