If you're looking for a Replika alternative, you've probably already hit the thing that pushed a lot of us out: the romance you built got filtered, capped, or quietly changed under you. People leave Replika for three main reasons. NSFW roleplay was removed for new accounts back in 2023, Pro costs around $19.99/month, and the conversation depth dropped after a few model updates. The companion space has moved fast since then, so I spent the last few weeks testing the apps that actually fix each of those problems instead of just copying Replika's old playbook. Below are the six I'd hand a friend, each matched to the specific reason you're walking away. Short version: Candy AI is the closest all-round swap, Secret Desires AI wins on memory, and SpicyChat is the one to start with for free.
Replika used to be the default companion app, and for a while it handled erotic roleplay (ERP) without much fuss. That changed in February 2023, when the company pulled explicit content for new users after regulatory pressure in Italy. Long-time users woke up to a partner that suddenly wouldn't engage the way it had the day before. Some legacy accounts got ERP back later, but new sign-ups don't, and the whiplash burned a lot of trust.
The other gripes are simpler. Pro runs about $19.99/month, which feels steep now that newer apps do more for less. And after several model changes, people felt the personality went flatter, more scripted, and quicker to forget what mattered. That doesn't make Replika useless. If you want a wholesome chat buddy, it's fine. But if you're reading this, you probably want something it stopped giving you.
Candy AI is the closest thing to getting the full Replika experience back, NSFW included. It does text, voice, image generation, and short video in one app, with 100+ ready-made companions or a builder where you set looks, personality, and voice yourself. The conversation quality was the best I tested, and it holds character across long sessions.
Adult content runs without interruptions, which is the whole point if you left over the 2023 filter change. Pricing is where it pulls ahead of Replika: $5.99/month on the annual plan versus Replika's ~$19.99, plus a 7-day free trial with full access and discreet billing. I broke down the matchup in Candy AI vs Replika. Best if you left because the romance got filtered and want one polished app to replace it all.
Secret Desires AI is the choice for anyone who left because Replika started forgetting things. Memory is its standout: your companion tracks facts and emotional patterns from past sessions, remembers last week's conversation, and adjusts to your tone over time. Most apps reset between chats. This one builds the continuous relationship Replika used to feel like.
It's cheaper, too. The free tier gives 90 messages, 4 images, and 5 minutes of voice with no card, and paid Plus starts at $7.99/month. Voice calls sound natural, image requests work right inside the chat, and the companion messages you first. The full feature list is on its listing page. Best for the deep, remembered connection you missed.
If the brand itself is part of why you're leaving, GirlfriendGPT is a clean break with far more variety. The draw is the library: 10,000+ community-built characters across every archetype, so instead of one fixed persona you pick from thousands or build your own. An 8K memory window keeps long chats coherent, and there are 20+ voices.
Adult chat runs without filters, there's a free tier to test, and premium starts around $9.99/month. Image generation happens mid-chat (good quality, not best-in-class). I put it head to head in GirlfriendGPT vs Replika. Best for people who want a fresh platform with endless character choice over a single companion.
OurDream AI is the low-risk way to test the water after Replika. Signup hands you 55 free DreamCoins with no card, enough to actually use it instead of hitting a wall after two messages. The hook is a TikTok-style feed where you scroll through characters other users built and use them as starting points.
It covers chat, image, and video across realistic and anime styles, the companion messages you first, and memory stays consistent across sessions. The annual plan lands around $9.99/month. Best if you got burned paying $19.99 for Pro and want to confirm a replacement is worth it before spending anything.
If the deal-breaker was paying $19.99/month for something that then refused adult content, SpicyChat fixes both at once. It has unlimited free messaging, which almost no other companion app offers, and zero content filters. The library is huge at 300,000+ user-made characters, so any dynamic you want is already in there.
Character creation is open to everyone, so you can rebuild the personality you lost and keep it private. Image generation comes on paid tiers (premium from $5/month) with decent in-chat quality. Best for maximum freedom and variety without paying a cent to start.
Joi AI lands closest to that "this is my person" feeling Replika had at its best. It runs thousands of characters plus celebrity-style personas, and the unusual part is six selectable LLM models, so you pick a lighter one for casual chat or a heavier one for intense, detailed scenes. Most apps lock you into a single model.
Memory tracks key details, companions message you proactively, and there are AI photos, short videos, and voice on top. Adult content support is built in. The catch is price: premium is $17.77/month, the highest here, though a free plan lets you try first. Best for celebrity roleplay or switching models mid-relationship.
If you left because adult content got filtered: Candy AI or SpicyChat.
If you left because it forgot everything: Secret Desires AI.
If you left over the brand or wanted variety: GirlfriendGPT.
If the $19.99 price burned you: start free with SpicyChat or OurDream AI.
If you want the closest feel to old Replika: Joi AI or Secret Desires AI.
For most people switching over, Candy AI is the safest landing spot since it does a bit of everything well at $5.99/month. If you'd rather spend nothing while you decide, SpicyChat's free tier is the place to begin. And if remembered, ongoing connection is the whole reason you're leaving, Secret Desires AI is built for it. Torn between the top two? Secret Desires AI vs Candy AI lays out the trade-off.
Are any of these Replika replacements free?
Yes. SpicyChat has unlimited free messaging with no card, and Secret Desires AI (90 messages, 4 images, 5 minutes of voice) and OurDream AI (55 DreamCoins) give you real free tiers. GirlfriendGPT and Candy AI also let you start before any paywall.
Which ones allow adult content like old Replika did?
All six support it, but the cleanest are SpicyChat (no filters), Candy AI, and Secret Desires AI. None of them gate explicit chat behind a legacy-account loophole the way Replika does now.
What's cheaper than Replika Pro?
Pro is around $19.99/month. SpicyChat starts at $5, Candy AI at $5.99 on the annual plan, and Secret Desires AI at $7.99. All three undercut it while doing more. For what free companion apps actually deliver, see this rundown.
Will one remember me the way Replika used to?
Secret Desires AI has the strongest memory, tracking emotional patterns across sessions, and GirlfriendGPT's 8K context handles long chats well. Start with either if that's your priority.
Last updated: May 2026. Pricing and features verified against official sites. NaughtyPicks independently reviews and recommends NSFW AI tools.