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AI character chat glossary
Definitions and explanations of the platforms, terms and events shaping the AI character chat category. If you're new to the space, start here.
What is Character.AI?
Character.AI is the largest AI character chat platform — 20M MAU, 153M monthly visits. Here's what it is, who uses it, and what the alternatives are.…
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What is Janitor AI?
Janitor AI is a BYOK (bring-your-own-key) AI character chat platform with a massive community character library and a notable face-ID verification req…
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What is Chai AI?
Chai is a mobile-first AI character chat app launched in 2021. 6M MAU, $70M ARR by 2026 — one of the fastest-growing apps in the category.…
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What is AI roleplay?
AI roleplay is conversational fiction where you co-write a scene with an AI character. From SillyTavern to Character.AI to Reverie, here's what it act…
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What is AI character chat?
AI character chat = conversation with a fictional persona powered by AI. The format that gave us Character.AI, Chai, Replika, and dozens more. Here's …
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What is interactive fiction?
Interactive fiction is co-written narrative — you type a line, the character writes back, the story builds. Modern AI-driven IF lives in chat apps.…
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Why Character.AI's filter tightened
Character.AI tightened its content filter through 2024-2025, banning minors in October 2025. Here's the timeline and what it means for users.…
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Janitor AI face ID — what happened
Janitor AI introduced mandatory face-photo verification in April 2026 with no opt-out. Here's why and what alternatives users moved to.…
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What is uncensored AI chat?
Uncensored AI chat means platforms that don't apply heavy content filters. From SillyTavern to Janitor AI to CrushOn, here's the lineup.…
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What is BYOK AI chat?
BYOK = bring your own API key. You supply the LLM (OpenAI / Claude / OpenRouter), the platform provides character UI. Janitor AI is the largest exampl…
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What is SillyTavern?
SillyTavern is the open-source frontend that power users install locally to chat with characters via their own LLM API. 23K GitHub stars. Here's what …
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What is Replika?
Replika is the original AI companion app launched in 2017. 2M active users, 10M+ downloads. The pioneer of the category that birthed Character.AI and …
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What is Talkie AI?
Talkie AI is a voice-native AI companion app with 11M MAU. Anime + celebrity personas, coin-based micro-monetization. Here's the full picture.…
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