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Character.AI vs Z.ai
Character.AI edges Z.ai on our editorial score (4.4 vs 4.1), but Character.AI is the better fit if you want live voice calls and long-term memory and image sharing and custom characters; Z.ai has no clear edge there.
0| Character.AI | Z.ai | |
|---|---|---|
| Editor score | 4.4 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Price | $7.92/mo | Free |
| Price band | Under $10/mo | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Price detail | c.ai+ $9.99/mo or $94.99/yr (~$7.92/mo). Free chat is unlimited but carries ads, a daily swipe cap and a Charms currency. A cheaper (c.ai) lite tier exists but its price varies by region. | Web chat is free (checked 2026-09-30); GLM Coding and API plans are priced separately for developers. |
| Adult content | No adult mode | No adult mode |
| Voice | Live calls | No |
| Images | Yes | No |
| Video | No | No |
| Memory | Yes | No |
| Custom characters | Yes | No |
| Companion types | Any character | Any character |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web |
| Runs locally | No | No |
Character.AI — our take
The default starting point: unmatched variety and the most generous free tier in the category.
- 20M+ community characters
- Unlimited free text chat
- Best-in-class prose quality
Z.ai — our take
A capable free general assistant — the closest free peer to DeepSeek for everyday chat.
- Free frontier-model chat
- Fast responses
- No account friction to try
Character.AI vs Z.ai — common questions
Which is cheaper, Character.AI or Z.ai?
Z.ai is the cheaper of the two at Free, against $7.92/mo for Character.AI.
Which one has a free tier?
Both do — you can try either without paying.
Which remembers conversations better?
Character.AI retains context across sessions; Z.ai keeps context only within a session.
Which handles adult content differently?
Character.AI: No adult mode. Z.ai: No adult mode. This directory is SFW — we record whether a mature mode exists so you know before signing up, and we describe no explicit material.