# Character AI vs PolyBuzz

The clearest difference is ads: PolyBuzz at none against Character AI's shown. PolyBuzz also leads on review sentiment (44% vs 23%) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Character AI sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per 7 days and PolyBuzz sells 41 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for Character AI against 4.4 for PolyBuzz. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 556K and 475K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 23% of Character AI's written reviews are positive against 44% of PolyBuzz's.

Character AI ships an update every 3 weeks, PolyBuzz every 8 days. Both last shipped on September 28, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Character AI | PolyBuzz |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (556K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/character-ai-chat-talk-text/id1671705818/reviews) | **[4.4 (475K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polybuzz-chat-with-characters/id6449190344/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **556K** | 475K |
| Positive reviews | 23.3% of reviews | **44.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #49 | **#31** |
| Size | 267 MB | 247 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Character.AI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1643189032) | [CLOUD WHALE INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY LLC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1669009329) |

## What reviewers say

### Character AI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/character-ai-chat-talk-text/id1671705818)

**Currently charting:** #49 Top Grossing · Entertainment, #101 Top Free · Entertainment (US App Store)

Engage in dynamic AI conversations and create your own intelligent chatbots. Explore millions of user-generated characters, roleplay, build worlds, or simply chat. Interact via text or voice calls for a personalized AI experience.

**Highlights:** AI Chat and Voice Calls, Create Custom AI Chatbots, Millions of User-Generated Characters, Roleplaying and Storytelling, Adaptive AI Personalities, Community Sharing

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Character.AI Lite | $2.49 | per 7 days |
| Character.AI Lite | $4.99 | per month |
| Character.AI+ | $9.99 | per month |
| Character.AI+ | $94.99 | per year |
| Charms Starter Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Charms Small Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Charms Medium Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Charms Large Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Charms Extra Large Pack | $24.99 | one-time |
| Charms Extra Extra Large Pack | $49.99 | one-time |
| Charms Extra Extra Extra Large Pack | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Highly entertaining and engaging
- 👍 Realistic and responsive AI
- 💡 Ability to create custom characters
- 🚀 Smooth and intuitive app experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and server issues
- 🔒 Overly sensitive content filter
- 🐛 AI memory and personality issues
- 🔒 Lack of NSFW toggle option

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent waiting times and server overload
- Logged out users unable to log back in
- Deleted messages not saving properly
- AI responses resetting mid-conversation

**Requested features**

- Option to disable NSFW filter for adult users
- Improved AI memory and personality consistency
- Ability to delete saved chats and characters
- More customization options for character creation


### PolyBuzz

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polybuzz-chat-with-characters/id6449190344)

**Currently charting:** #31 Top Grossing · Entertainment, #55 Top Free · Entertainment (US App Store)

Engage in realistic conversations with AI chatbots that mimic real characters, complete with authentic voices and personalities. Create your own characters or interact with those made by others in a vibrant community. Explore endless story possibilities and enjoy free, immersive dialogues.

**Highlights:** AI chatbots with authentic voices, Character creation tools, Interact with community-created characters, Endless conversation possibilities, Free to chat

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (41)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Poly Standard Weekly Plan | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| ExplorerPlus Monthly Plan | $6.90 | per month |
| CreatorPlus Monthly Plan | $9.90 | per month |
| Poly Standard Monthly Plan | $9.90 | per month |
| Poly Standard Monthly Plan | $9.90 | per month |
| Poly Standard Monthly | $9.90 | per month |
| Poly Standard Monthly Plan | $9.90 | per month |
| PolyPlus Monthly Plan | $12.90 | per month |
| CreatorPlus Monthly Plan | $15.90 | per month |
| Poly Premium Monthly Plan | $15.90 | per month |
| ExplorerPlus Monthly Plan | $19.90 | per month |
| Poly Premium Monthly Plan | $19.90 | per month |
| Poly Premium Monthly Plan | $19.90 | per month |
| Poly Premium Monthly | $19.90 | per month |
| PolyPlus Monthly Plan | $22.90 | per month |
| CreatorPlus Monthly Plan | $24.90 | per month |
| PolyPlus Monthly Plan | $29.90 | per month |
| Poly Ultimate Monthly Plan | $29.90 | per month |
| ExplorerPlus Yearly Plan | $69.00 | per year |
| CreatorPlus Yearly Plan | $99.00 | per year |
| Poly Standard Yearly Plan | $99.00 | per year |
| PolyPlus Yearly Plan | $129.00 | per year |
| CreatorPlus Yearly Plan | $159.00 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $169.00 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $199.00 | per year |
| PolyPlus Yearly Plan | $249.00 | per year |
| 400 Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Coins | $2.49 | one-time |
| 1500 Coins | $2.99 | one-time |
| 3000 Coins | $4.49 | one-time |
| 3000 Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Opals | $5.90 | one-time |
| 8000 Coins | $6.99 | one-time |
| 8000 Coins | $8.49 | one-time |
| 8000 Coins | $8.99 | one-time |
| 8000 Coins | $9.99 | one-time |
| 20000 Coins | $11.95 | one-time |
| 20000 Coins | $16.90 | one-time |
| 20000 Coins | $19.90 | one-time |
| 50000 Coins | $24.95 | one-time |
| 50000 Coins | $34.90 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💬 No filter, unlimited chat
- 🤖 Wide variety of characters to chat with
- 🕰️ Unlimited chat time
- 🎨 Ability to create custom characters
- 🚀 Responsive AI

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤔 AI has poor memory, forgets details
- 💰 Subscription required for full features
- 📢 Too many ads
- 🤖 AI can be repetitive or inconsistent
- 🔍 Difficulty searching for specific characters

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent login issues
- App crashes or fails to load
- Inconsistent character responses
- Inability to delete chat history

**Requested features**

- Improved character search and filtering
- Better AI memory and consistency
- Option to disable NSFW content
- Ability to save and revisit chat histories
- Group chat functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Character AI free?

Character AI is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is PolyBuzz free?

PolyBuzz is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Character AI or PolyBuzz?

PolyBuzz is rated higher. Character AI averages 4.3 out of 5 from 556K ratings, while PolyBuzz averages 4.4 from 475K ratings.

### Do Character AI or PolyBuzz have ads?

Character AI shows ads; PolyBuzz does not.

### Which is updated more often, Character AI or PolyBuzz?

Character AI ships an update every 3 weeks, and PolyBuzz every 8 days. Most recently, Character AI was updated on September 28, 2026 and PolyBuzz on September 28, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Character AI or PolyBuzz?

Character AI currently peaks at #49 in the App Store charts, and PolyBuzz at #31. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*