Playbooks for building AI companion products

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The AI companion app launch checklist

24 steps across six areas, each with why it matters and the playbook that covers it. Tick as you go: your progress stays on this device.

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Product & persona design

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  • Persona design guide →
  • Persona design guide →
  • Why retention decides winners →
  • Trust & safety basics →

Model & memory stack

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Trust & safety

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  • Trust & safety basics →
  • Regulation tracker →
  • The EU AI Act and companion apps →
  • Trust & safety basics →

Age assurance & compliance

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  • Age assurance guide →
  • Regulation tracker →
  • Trust & safety basics →
  • Age assurance guide →

Payments

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Growth & retention

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Benchmark your pricing

What companion apps charge per month

$15.99median monthly plan
$3.99–$68.99range of verified plans
11 of 15apps offer a free tier
AppPlanPer monthNotes
Candy AI12 months$3.99$47.88 billed annually.
SpicyChatFree tierGet A Taste$5.95From 8 Sep 2026; $60/year.
Candy AI3 months$8.99$26.97 billed per quarter.
Character.AIFree tierCharacter.AI+ (c.ai+)$9.99US App Store price; $94.99 yearly option also listed.
TalkieFree tierTalkie+$9.99US App Store (iOS app is named Talkie Lab); $49.99/year option.
OurDream AIFree tierYearly$9.99$119.88 billed annually.
ParadotParadot Pro$9.99US App Store; $39.99/year option.
Janitor AIFree tierjanitor+$12.99Launched 24 June 2026; app store prices may differ.
Candy AI1 month$13.99First month $9.99. Token-based extras.
NomiFree tierStandard$15.99US App Store; also $39.99/quarter or $99.99/year. Credits sold separately.
KindroidStandard$15.99US App Store; also $42.99/3 months or $159.99/year. Web prices may differ.
PolyBuzzFree tierPoly Premium$19.90$199/year option.
SpicyChatFree tierTrue Supporter$19.95From 8 Sep 2026; $199.95/year.
OurDream AIFree tierMonthly$19.99Includes 1,000 dreamcoins per month.
TalkieFree tierTalkie+ Pro$24.99US App Store.
KindroidUltra add-on$28.99US App Store; monthly only.
SpicyChatFree tierI'm All In$29.95From 8 Sep 2026; $299.95/year.
KindroidMAX add-on$68.99US App Store; monthly only.

Verified US prices as of 12 November 2026, from app store listings and pricing pages. Apps without a published price are left out. Prices change often, so check before you set yours.