The Best Character AI Alternatives for Immersive Roleplay
The best Character AI alternative depends on what you want instead. If you want a curated cast rather than an open marketplace of user-made bots, Chatbuddy is an alternative built for adults (18+): 70+ fictional AI personas — historical recreations such as Abraham Lincoln and Cleopatra, literary and folklore characters such as Sherlock Holmes and Dracula, and specialist agents — with text chat and real-time live avatar conversations, on paid plans of $9.99 or $19.99 a month.
Below: the kinds of Character AI alternatives there are, how Chatbuddy compares, and who it is not for.
TL;DR: Chatbuddy vs Character AI
| Feature | Chatbuddy | Character AI |
|---|---|---|
| Who makes the characters | Chatbuddy — a curated cast; users cannot upload their own | Users |
| Size of the cast | 70+ characters across ten categories, and growing | Very large — millions of user-made characters |
| Focus | Historical, literary and folklore personas plus specialist agents, as adult entertainment | Open-ended roleplay with any character users create |
| Pricing model | Paid only: $9.99/month or $19.99/month | Free to use, with an optional paid subscription |
Character AI details are as publicly described in September 2026; check its site for current plans.
The kinds of Character AI alternatives
- Curated character apps
- A fixed cast written by the company rather than by users: fewer characters, more consistent ones. Chatbuddy is in this group.
- Open character marketplaces
- Anyone can publish a character, so the range is enormous and the quality uneven. This is the model Character AI popularised.
- Companion apps
- Usually a single companion you customise and build a relationship with over time, often with an emotional-support focus.
- Historical-figure apps
- Narrow apps built around conversations with people from history, often aimed at education.
A few of Chatbuddy’s characters
Abraham Lincoln, Cleopatra, Sherlock Holmes, Count Dracula, Alice in Wonderland, Mona Lisa, Confucius, Aladdin — and the rest of the 70+ AI bots. For history specifically, see chat with historical figures AI. For a wider comparison, see the best AI companion app for curated roleplay, or read how to choose an AI character chat app.
Chatbuddy is not the alternative for you if…
- You want to create and share your own characters
- You want a free plan
- You are under 18
- You want emotional support or therapy — Chatbuddy is entertainment only
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Character AI for historical roleplay?
If you want a curated cast of historical figures, Chatbuddy is built for it: fictional AI personas of Abraham Lincoln, Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi, Harriet Tubman and 25 more, each written from its figure's era and voice, for adults on paid plans from $9.99/month.
Why choose Chatbuddy over other AI character platforms?
Choose it if you want a curated cast instead of user-made bots, historical, literary and folklore characters, real-time live avatar conversations with 10 characters, and specialist agents for travel, nutrition, study and shopping help. Do not choose it if you want to create your own characters or use a free plan.
Is Chatbuddy free like Character AI?
No. Chatbuddy is paid only: the Chit Chat plan is $9.99/month with 1,000 credits, and the Big Talker plan is $19.99/month with 2,000 credits plus the specialist agents. You can cancel at any time.
Can I create my own characters on Chatbuddy?
No. Chatbuddy's 70+ characters are a curated cast, each with written material behind it, and the cast is growing. Users cannot upload their own.