Character.AI Alternatives After the Bankruptcy: Where to Go Next

By the WeWow team · October 25, 2026

Short answerCharacter.AI filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2026 and is running during a court-supervised sale, so its future is uncertain. If you used it for group chats with several characters, Nomi and Kindroid offer group chats with AI companions (both 18+), and WeWow: AI Friends & Journal offers a supportive group chat of up to 10 AI friends you name and describe yourself, focused on everyday life rather than roleplay.

Prices and features checked on October 25, 2026, from each app's App Store page or official site. They change often; check the store before you buy.

What happened

In October 2026, Character.AI filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware, with an initial bid from Disney as part of a court-supervised sale (CNN, Forbes). The app is still running for now.

Before you switch

Save the chats and character descriptions you care about.
Decide what you used it for: roleplay and stories, or company and support. The best alternative is different for each.

Alternatives compared

App	Best for	Group chat	Paid (US)	Age
Nomi	Companions with long memory	Yes	$15.99/mo or $99.99/yr	18+
Kindroid	Customizable companions, voice and video	Yes	About $15.99/mo (no free tier)	18+
Pi	Free one-on-one conversation	No	Free	18+
WeWow	Supportive AI friends and a private journal	Yes, up to 10	$14.90/mo or $99/yr, free to start	See store

If you used Character.AI for company

In WeWow, you can recreate a group of characters as a circle: name each companion, give them a photo, and describe who they are and what they call you. They reply in one chat, check in the next day, and react to the photos you post to your private feed. It isn't built for fantasy roleplay; it's built for everyday life.

If you're struggling right now. An app, AI or not, is not emergency help. If you feel unsafe or are thinking about ending your life, reach a person now: 988 (call or text) in the US and Canada, Samaritans 116 123 in the UK and Ireland, Lifeline 13 11 14 in Australia, 1737 (call or text) in New Zealand, or your local emergency number.

Frequently asked questions

Is Character.AI shutting down?

Not yet. It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2026 and keeps running while a court-supervised sale goes ahead. If no buyer completes a deal, the platform could be wound down. Watch the company's official blog for updates.

Should I save my Character.AI chats?

If they matter to you, yes. Copy or screenshot the conversations and character descriptions you care about, so you can recreate them elsewhere.

Which alternative has group chats?

Nomi, Kindroid and WeWow all support chatting with several AI companions at once.

WeWow: social media, but only you.
Post your day, and a private circle of AI friends reacts.
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