Character.AI: is it free, does it allow NSFW, and what does it cost?
Character.AI is a large consumer platform for chatting, voice-calling and roleplaying with AI characters that users create and share. It runs on its own proprietary models, adds creative tools like AI images, character videos and voices, and since late 2025 limits open-ended chat to users verified as 18 or older.
| Live status | Working · 100% uptime (24h) |
|---|---|
| Free option | Yes |
| NSFW allowed | No |
| Price | From $4.99/month |
| Available on | Web, iPhone, Android |
| Minimum age | 13+ to create an account (16+ in Europe) per the Safety Center; open-ended character chat is limited to users verified as 18+. The US App Store listing is rated 18+. |
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Is Character.AI free?
Unlimited messaging on the free plan with ads, basic chat styles (e.g. PipSqueak 2), 15 memory pins, basic Lorebook, daily feature limits, and slow mode / waiting rooms during high load.
Does Character.AI allow NSFW?
Pornographic, vulgar or obscene content is against the Terms of Service and the company says it will not be supported in the future; requesting removal of the NSFW filter can result in a ban. Content classifiers filter model outputs and user inputs, with stricter settings for under-18 users. All users go through age assurance (signals-based, with Persona selfie/ID verification as fallback); users judged under 18 are placed in a reading-mode experience without character chat.
Character.AI pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| (c.ai) lite | from $4.99/month | Daily allowance of premium chat-style messages (e.g. DeepSqueak, LongSqueak), fewer ads (no banners), 30 memory pins with detailed memory usage bar, chat customization |
| c.ai+ | $9.99/month or $94.99/year | No ads, unlimited premium chat styles, full memory suite incl. advanced/private Lorebooks, no slow mode, unlimited feature limits, priority feature access, +20% bonus Charms, premium support |
c.ai+ prices shown are the US App Store prices; Character.AI doesn't publish the web price. c.ai lite 'starts at $4.99/month' and varies by region (the App Store also lists a $2.49 lite option). An in-app currency called Charms sells in packs from $0.99 to $99.99 on iOS. Web payments go through Stripe; app purchases follow Apple's and Google's refund rules. Prices checked 2026-10-20.
Features
| AI images | Yes |
| Voice | Yes |
| Video | Yes |
| Group chats | Yes |
| Create your own characters | Yes |
| Use your own AI model / API key | No |
Memory: Pinned memories (15 free / 30 on lite and c.ai+), memory usage bar, Lorebook (advanced on c.ai+).
Things to know
Per Character.AI's own announcements: users under 18 lost open-ended chat starting November 2025 and all users are subject to age assurance (Persona may request a selfie or ID); the August 2025 Privacy Policy update added detail on information use and sharing, including for targeted advertising. Free and lite plans show ads. The company's ToS page (character.ai/tos) blocks automated access and was not read directly.
Official links
Help center · Reddit · X / Twitter
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Facts checked on Character.AI's own website, terms and app store listings on 2026-10-20. AIChatRadar is independent and not affiliated with Character.AI. Character.AI is operated by Character Technologies, Inc..