kitio.aiCharacter.AI vs Backyard AI
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Character.AI starts at $9.99/mo and Backyard AI starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Huge character library
- Custom character builder
- Voice calls
- Group chats
- Memory notes
- Custom AI characters
- Voice conversations
- Lorebooks
- Author's Note
- Grammars
- Community character hub
| Feature | Character.AI | Backyard AI |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Chat and roleplay with millions of user-created AI characters | Unfiltered text and voice roleplay with custom AI characters |
| Category | Chat assistants | Chat assistants |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $9.99/mo | See pricing page |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | Character Technologies | Backyard AI |
| Based in | United States | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Character.AI starts at $9.99/mo and Backyard AI starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
2 plans
Free
Free
- Chat with characters
- Create your own characters
c.ai+
$9.99/mo
- Faster responses
- Priority access
- Better memory
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Character.AI
- Enormous variety of characters
- Free unlimited messaging
- Easy to create your own
- Strict content filters
- Characters forget long histories
- Ads on the free plan
Backyard AI
- Deep tools for story control
- Large community character library
- Apps for Android and iOS
- Unfiltered content isn't suited to all users
- Subscription prices not shown
- Advanced settings take time to learn
Which one should you choose?
Choose Character.AI if you want:
- Enormous variety of characters
- Free unlimited messaging
- Easy to create your own
Watch out: strict content filters.
Choose Backyard AI if you want:
- Deep tools for story control
- Large community character library
- Apps for Android and iOS
Watch out: unfiltered content isn't suited to all users.
Character.AI vs Backyard AI FAQ
What is the difference between Character.AI and Backyard AI?
Character.AI: Chat and roleplay with millions of user-created AI characters. Backyard AI: Unfiltered text and voice roleplay with custom AI characters. Both are chat assistants tools.
Is Character.AI or Backyard AI cheaper?
Character.AI starts at $9.99/mo and Backyard AI starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Character.AI and Backyard AI have free plans?
Character.AI: Yes. Backyard AI: Yes.
Who makes Character.AI?
Character.AI is made by Character Technologies, based in United States.
Who makes Backyard AI?
Backyard AI is made by Backyard AI.
Which should I choose, Character.AI or Backyard AI?
Choose Character.AI if you value enormous variety of characters and free unlimited messaging. Choose Backyard AI if you value deep tools for story control and large community character library.