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SillyTavern vs NovelAI
SillyTavern scores higher in our catalogue (4.3 vs 3.7), but the right pick depends on what you need: NovelAI may suit you better on price and features.
| SillyTavern0 | NovelAI0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Editor score | 4.3 / 5 | 3.7 / 5 |
| Price | Free | $10/mo |
| Price band | Free | $10–20/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Price detail | Free and open source under AGPL-3.0. You pay only for whichever model API you connect. | Tablet $10/mo, Scroll $15/mo, Opus $25/mo. Billed monthly only — there is no annual option to fold in. No free tier, just a limited trial. |
| Adult content | Optional mature mode | Optional mature mode |
| Voice | Live calls | No |
| Images | Yes | Yes |
| Video | No | No |
| Memory | Yes | Yes |
| Custom characters | Yes | Yes |
| Companion types | Any character | Any character |
| Platforms | Desktop, Web | Web |
| Runs locally | Yes | No |
SillyTavern — our take
If you want total control and zero subscription, this is where the advanced users live.
- Complete control over prompt and memory
- Works with local or hosted models
- Free forever
NovelAI — our take
For long-form narrative and illustration, not for daily companionship.
- Excellent long-context story model
- Strong anime image model
- No ads
SillyTavern vs NovelAI — common questions
Which is cheaper, SillyTavern or NovelAI?
SillyTavern is the cheaper of the two at Free, against $10/mo for NovelAI.
Which one has a free tier?
Only SillyTavern has a free tier; NovelAI is paid-only.
Which remembers conversations better?
Both keep context across sessions. The practical difference is elsewhere: voice support differs between them.
Which handles adult content differently?
SillyTavern: Optional mature mode. NovelAI: Optional mature mode. This directory is SFW — we record whether a mature mode exists so you know before signing up, and we describe no explicit material.