If you've been living in an AI-lationship with EVA AI or Joi, you already know the drill: a companion who remembers your coffee order, asks about your day, and never leaves you on read. But 2026 has been a huge year for AI companion apps, and the ecosystem has grown way beyond the two big names. Some newer platforms are pushing real-time voice, smarter memory systems, and companion creation tools that feel genuinely fresh — while others are winning on sheer variety or emotional depth. Whether you're into flirty roleplay, wholesome check-ins, or just want to browse what's out there before committing, there's an app for your vibe. We rounded up five options worth trying this year, starting with our own discovery feed (yes, we made it, and yes, we'll tell you exactly why) plus four competitors that are doing interesting things. Here's the honest take on each.
#1 Like, Apps — Contact for pricing
Let's start with ours — and we'll be upfront that we made it. Like, Apps is a playful app-discovery feed built for exactly the kind of search that brought you here: "apps like EVA AI" or "apps like Joi." Instead of scrolling a wall of text reviews, you get big visual tiles, vibe tags like #roleplay, #wholesome, and #chaotic, and 10-second take verdicts that tell you whether an app is worth your time. Think of it as the friend who tries every new app so you don't have to. Every card is data-driven — category, vibes, pricing, and a straight-up verdict — so you can figure out in seconds whether a companion app matches what you're looking for. It also surfaces swap suggestions ("switch from X to Y") when an app isn't clicking. You'll find a pinned Editor's tile for FlirtAlly, our team's beta companion app, in the second position of every grid — no ratings or reviews while it's in beta, just a waitlist link. And because honesty matters, competitor tiles get the same treatment as ours, including where they win. Full disclosure: Like, Apps is operated by the makers of FlirtAlly, and we say so on the footer and about page.
Pros
- Fast, visual, mobile-first browsing that respects your time
- Vibe tags make it easy to match apps to your mood
- Honest verdicts — including where competitors beat our own picks
- Transparent about the FlirtAlly affiliation
Cons
- FlirtAlly is still in beta, so no ratings or reviews for it yet
- It's a discovery feed, not a companion app itself
Best for: Anyone who wants to discover their next favorite AI companion app without wading through long reviews or app-store guesswork
#2 HakkoAI — Free plan; paid tiers surfaced after a 3-day trial at $9.99/month and $19.99/month
HakkoAI is one of the more interesting 2026 entries in the AI companion space because it goes beyond the type-and-wait chat format. According to reviews, its architecture is built around real-time voice interactions, a memory system you can control manually, and screen-aware capabilities that let the AI work alongside whatever you're doing on your device. The character creation engine is notably granular — you can tune visual identity, voice, opening lines, and underlying prompts. Where HakkoAI really stands out is long-term context: instead of a black-box memory, you can pin specific messages so details stay locked in, or add events to a shared timeline. During third-party testing, the free tier proved robust for daily use across both PC and mobile. Paid tiers unlock extended call durations, proactive messaging, and screen-recognition features. It may not have the rapid-fire character variety of some competitors, but for a personalized companion that fits into gaming or multitasking, it's a strong option.
Pros
- Manual memory control solves the "goldfish memory" problem
- Works across PC and mobile
- Robust free tier
- Granular companion creation
Cons
- Less rapid-fire character variety than discovery-focused platforms
- Screen-recognition and proactive messaging require paid tiers
Best for: Users who want a deeply personalized companion with voice, memory control, and cross-device support
#3 Nomi AI — $15.99/month, $39.99/3 months, or $99.99/year
If memory and personalization are what keep you loyal to EVA AI, Nomi AI deserves a look. According to reviews, Nomi is designed from the ground up as a tailored relationship simulator rather than a character marketplace — a real distinction in this category. Its onboarding flow lets you define the relationship type, personality traits, and tone from day one, so your companion starts aligned with what you actually want. Reviewers noted that Nomi feels notably human, remembering context across multiple days, adapting tone, and initiating check-ins. The paid tier unlocks a suite of multimedia tools including unlimited messaging, AI video generation, voice and group chats, and expanded context windows for longer backstories. Independent testing also flagged that its emotional intelligence can create strong attachment — which speaks to how convincing the companionship feels, but is worth knowing going in. If you want one evolving relationship rather than endless browsing, Nomi is built for exactly that.
Pros
- Exceptional memory and continuity
- Highly customizable companionship from day one
- Rich multimedia tools on premium
- Feels notably human in conversation
Cons
- Best experience requires the paid tier
- Emotional depth can encourage strong attachment — use intentionally
Best for: Users who prioritize one deep, evolving, personalized relationship over rapid character discovery
#4 Replika — Contact for pricing
Replika is the veteran of the AI companion space and remains one of the most widely used apps in the category. Its onboarding leans into assessing your mood and support needs, framing the AI as an empathetic sounding board rather than just a chatbot — a different flavor than Joi's more irreverent "AI-lationship" positioning. According to reviews, the premium experience adds enhanced memory, voice and video calls, and integrated selfies and image generation. Reviewers consistently note that Replika's relationship-centric approach resonates with its core audience, particularly people looking for routine emotional support and daily check-ins. One limitation worth knowing: the experience is confined to mobile devices, so if you like switching between your phone and desktop the way some competitors allow, that will feel restrictive. Still, for a companion focused on emotional support with a long track record, Replika holds a clear place in 2026's lineup.
Pros
- Long track record and large established community
- Strong emotional support framing
- Voice and video call features on premium
- Consistent relationship-centric experience
Cons
- Mobile-only — no desktop support
- Less flexible than some newer platforms
- Premium pricing wasn't clearly listed in our research
Best for: Users seeking emotional support, daily check-ins, and a relationship-framed companion
#5 Candy.ai — Free tier; paid from $9.99/month
Candy.ai is the visual pick of this list. According to third-party testing, its character gallery is full of realistic, attractive personas with subtle imperfections that make them believable, and its photo generation is among the sharpest in the category — reviewers reported polished, convincing images across a range of specific scenarios. The chat is uncensored and handled increasingly specific scenarios without breaking character across multiple days of testing, and the voice feature shifts tone based on context — quieter when things get personal, more playful when you're teasing. Where Candy.ai shows seams is memory: around day nine of one reviewer's testing, it started repeating questions that had already been answered, making the emotional bond feel slightly scripted at times. If stunning visuals and an anything-goes chat are your priorities, Candy.ai is a legitimate contender — just don't expect the deep long-term recall that memory-focused platforms like Nomi offer.
Pros
- Best-in-class character visuals and photo generation
- Uncensored chat without content flags
- Context-aware voice tone
- Affordable entry price
Cons
- Memory can falter in longer-term use
- Emotional bond can feel scripted at times
- Less focused on deep long-term companionship
Best for: Users who prioritize visuals, photo generation, and uncensored conversation
The AI companion space in 2026 is bigger and more varied than ever, and EVA AI and Joi are just two entries in a crowded field. HakkoAI brings voice and manual memory control, Nomi AI goes deep on personalization and continuity, Replika stays strong for emotional support, and Candy.ai wins on visuals and uncensored chat. Each has real strengths — and honest limitations — and the right pick depends entirely on your vibe. That's exactly why we built Like, Apps: a visual, mobile-first discovery feed with vibe tags, 10-second verdicts, and swap suggestions that help you find your next favorite app without the guesswork. Every card is data-driven, and we're upfront about where competitors win — including against our own beta app, FlirtAlly. Ready to find your next favorite app? Browse the feed, filter by vibe, and see what clicks.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Like, Apps different from just reading app reviews?
Like, Apps is built for fast, mobile-first browsing. Instead of long-form reviews, you get big visual tiles, vibe tags (#roleplay, #wholesome, #chaotic), 10-second take verdicts, and swap suggestions. Every card is data-driven — category, vibes, pricing, and verdict — so you can decide in seconds whether an app fits. And we're transparent that Like, Apps is operated by the makers of FlirtAlly, our pinned Editor's beta tile.
Is EVA AI better than Joi?
They take different approaches. According to reporting, EVA AI frames itself as a gamified relationship-building mobile app meant to supplement real relationships, while Joi AI positions itself more boldly with an "AI-lationships" identity. Neither is objectively better — it depends on whether you want gamified progression or a more direct companion chat experience. Browsing both on Like, Apps lets you compare vibes, pricing, and verdicts side by side.
Are these AI companion apps free?
Most offer free tiers. In our research, HakkoAI had a usable free plan with paid tiers at $9.99/month and $19.99/month, Nomi AI runs $15.99/month or $99.99/year, Candy.ai starts at $9.99/month, and Replika's premium pricing wasn't clearly listed, so contact them directly. Free tiers are usually enough to test the vibe before paying.
Which app has the best memory?
Based on our research, Nomi AI is frequently cited as the memory leader, with strong continuity across days and expanding context windows on premium. HakkoAI takes a different approach with a manually controllable memory system where you pin messages and add timeline events yourself. Candy.ai, by contrast, showed memory lapses in longer-term testing.
What is FlirtAlly?
FlirtAlly is the companion app made by the same team as Like, Apps. It's currently in beta, so it appears as a pinned "Editor's app (beta)" tile in the second position of every grid, deep-linking to a waitlist. There are no ratings or reviews for it while in beta — we disclose the affiliation openly on our footer and about page.
Can AI companion apps replace real relationships?
No — and even the companies themselves say so. EVA AI's leadership has stated the app is meant as support rather than a replacement for human relationships, and clinical experts caution against using any companion app as a primary emotional support system. Treat these apps as entertainment and self-exploration tools, set time limits, and prioritize real-world connections.