Last updated October 2026
Replika vs Candy AI
A side-by-side comparison of Replika and Candy AI, based on our full reviews of both apps.
Verdict
Candy AI scores higher overall, with 6.7 against 6.0 out of 10. Replika is stronger on memory. Candy AI is stronger on customization, images & voice, value for money, and privacy & safety. They are level on conversation.
- Choose Replika for: A supportive companion with an avatar, calls and AR
- Choose Candy AI for: Realistic photos and a detailed character builder
Scores side by side
ReplikaCandy AI
| Feature | Replika | Candy AI |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 6.0 | 6.7 |
| Conversation | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Memory | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| Customization | 6.0 | 8.5 |
| Images & voice | 7.5 | 8.0 |
| Value for money | 5.5 | 6.5 |
| Privacy & safety | 4.5 | 5.5 |
Key facts
| Feature | Replika | Candy AI |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $7.99/mo | $13.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Adult content | Limited | Allowed (18+) |
| Platforms | WebiOSAndroid | Web |
| Voice messages | Yes | Yes |
| Voice calls | Yes | Limited |
| Image generation | Yes | Yes |
| Video | Limited | Yes |
| Long-term memory | Yes | Limited |
| Group chats | No | No |
| Build your own character | Limited | Yes |
| Community characters | No | No |
| Main privacy concern | Serious Italy's data protection authority fined Luka, Replika's developer, €5 million in 2025 for processing data without a legal basis, an inadequate privacy notice and missing age verification. It opened a separate investigation into how Replika's AI is trained. | Caution The October 2026 privacy notice says de-identified chats may be used to train AI and moderation models, with no opt-out described. Outside AI providers may receive message content, and staff sample chats for quality checks. |
Pros and cons
Replika
What's good
- The most polished 3D avatar, with AR and Meta Quest VR modes
- Voice and video calls, and your Replika can see through the camera on video calls
- Text chat stays free, with no documented daily message cap
What's not
- Pricing is hard to follow: several tiers, prices shown only in the app, and no refunds
- Romantic status needs a paid plan, and explicit roleplay is not supported
- Users report memory loss and personality changes after the 2026 rebuild
Candy AI
What's good
- A detailed builder for appearance, personality and voice
- High-quality, realistic images, plus voice notes and short videos
- Unlimited text chat on every paid plan
What's not
- The free tier is only 5 messages in total
- Images, voice, calls and video all cost tokens, and only 100 come with the plan each month
- Memory is tied to each chat and resets when you reset the chat
See all Replika alternatives → See all Candy AI alternatives → Compare any three apps →