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TextGen vs NovelAI
TextGen scores higher in our catalogue (4.0 vs 3.7), but the right pick depends on what you need: NovelAI may suit you better on price and features.
| TextGen0 | NovelAI0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Editor score | 4.0 / 5 | 3.7 / 5 |
| Price | Free | $10/mo |
| Price band | Free | $10–20/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Price detail | Free and open source. | 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 | Voice notes | 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 |
TextGen — our take
Formerly text-generation-webui: not a companion app, but the plumbing most local companion setups are built on.
- Supports nearly every local model
- Active extension ecosystem
- Free and open source
NovelAI — our take
For long-form narrative and illustration, not for daily companionship.
- Excellent long-context story model
- Strong anime image model
- No ads
TextGen vs NovelAI — common questions
Which is cheaper, TextGen or NovelAI?
TextGen is the cheaper of the two at Free, against $10/mo for NovelAI.
Which one has a free tier?
Only TextGen has a free tier; NovelAI is paid-only.
Which remembers conversations better?
Both keep context across sessions. The practical difference is elsewhere: price and platform coverage differ between them.
Which handles adult content differently?
TextGen: 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.