All articles
Everything I have published, newest first. Reviews are hands-on, rankings are re-tested regularly, and dates below tell you how fresh each piece is.
Reviews
Long, unhurried reviews of individual AI companion apps, written after weeks of real use.
Guides
Plain, friendly explainers for getting comfortable with AI companions.
Rankings
My ranked shortlists, the apps I keep coming back to, and the ones I quietly closed.
News
What is shifting across the AI companion world and why it is worth your attention.
- Rankings
The best AI companion apps for roleplay in 2026, ranked after weeks of scenes
My ranked shortlist of the best AI companion apps for roleplay in 2026, tested over weeks of real scenes. Honest picks for character range, creativity, and staying power.
- Rankings
The best AI companion apps with images in 2026, ranked after weeks of generating
My ranked shortlist of the best AI companion apps with image generation in 2026, tested over weeks. Honest picks for visual quality, consistency, and real cost.
- News
A mid-2026 check-in on the AI companion space, from the lounge
Halfway through 2026, here is an honest read on where AI companions stand: what got better, what is overhyped, and where the real progress is happening.
- News
Voice calls are quietly changing how AI companions feel
Voice is showing up in more AI companion apps in 2026, and hearing a companion respond changes the experience more than you would expect. Here is what works and what to watch.
- Reviews
Soulkyn review: uncensored chat with image generation, tested over real evenings
A hands-on Soulkyn review after weeks of use. Uncensored chat, image generation, memory, pricing, and who it is worth it for. Score: 9.1 out of 10.
- Reviews
HeyGF review: a girlfriend with visuals, tested over real evenings
A hands-on HeyGF review after weeks of use. Visuals, chat quality, memory, pricing, and who it is genuinely worth it for. Score: 8.9 out of 10.
- Reviews
CrushOn AI review: uncensored roleplay community, tested over real evenings
A hands-on CrushOn AI review after weeks of use. Uncensored roleplay, character community, chat quality, memory, and pricing. Score: 9.0 out of 10.
- News
The privacy conversation around AI companions grew up in 2026
As AI companions went mainstream, the privacy questions got more serious. Here is what changed in 2026 and the simple habits that still protect you best.
- News
AI companions went mainstream in 2026, and the vibe has genuinely shifted
AI companions crossed into the mainstream in 2026. Here is what actually changed, from bigger user numbers to better memory, more scrutiny, and a softer public mood, from the lounge.
- Reviews
JOI AI review: chat and voice, tested over real evenings
A hands-on JOI AI review after weeks of use. Voice calls, chat quality, memory, pricing, and who it is worth it for. Score: 8.9 out of 10.
- Reviews
AI Peeps review: customizable characters, tested over real evenings
A hands-on AI Peeps review after weeks of use. Character customization, chat quality, visuals, memory, and pricing. Score: 8.9 out of 10.
- Reviews
Dream Companion review: deep customization, tested over real evenings
A hands-on Dream Companion review after weeks of use. Deep customization, chat quality, visuals, memory, and pricing. Score: 9.0 out of 10.
- Reviews
SweetDream AI review: build-your-own girlfriend, tested over real evenings
A hands-on SweetDream AI review after weeks of use. Character building, chat quality, visuals, memory, and pricing. Score: 8.9 out of 10.
- Reviews
GirlfriendGPT review: huge character variety, tested over real evenings
A hands-on GirlfriendGPT review after weeks of use. Character variety, chat quality, the uncensored side, memory, and pricing. Score: 9.1 out of 10.
- News
Companion app pricing is finally under real scrutiny, and it is about time
Credit systems, hidden costs, and confusing subscriptions are getting more attention in 2026. Here is what is changing in AI companion pricing and how to protect your wallet.
- Reviews
OurDream review: an image and video companion I put to the test
A hands-on OurDream review after weeks of real use. Image and video generation, chat, memory, credit pricing, and who it fits. Score: 9.5 out of 10.
- Reviews
Nectar AI review: roleplay and image generation, tested over real evenings
A hands-on Nectar AI review after weeks of real use. Roleplay quality, image generation, memory, pricing, and who it is worth it for. Score: 9.2 out of 10.
- Reviews
Darlink AI review: building an AI girlfriend from scratch, tested honestly
A hands-on Darlink AI review after weeks of real use. Girlfriend customization, chat, images, memory, pricing, and who it fits. Score: 9.4 out of 10.
- News
Video is the new frontier for AI companions, and it is messier than it looks
AI companion apps are moving from still images to short video in 2026. Here is what actually works, what still feels like a novelty, and why the credit meter matters.
- Reviews
Secrets AI review: a character-first companion with an optional spicy side
A hands-on Secrets AI review after weeks of real use. Character creation, roleplay quality, the spicy mode, memory, pricing, and who it fits. Score: 9.6 out of 10.
- Reviews
Candy AI review: a polished, visual-first companion I put through its paces
A hands-on Candy AI review after weeks of real use. Image quality, chat, memory, pricing, and who it is genuinely worth it for. Score: 9.7 out of 10.
- News
The memory arms race is the real story in AI companions right now
Memory has become the feature every AI companion app is fighting over in 2026. Here is why continuity, not visuals, is the battleground that actually decides these apps.
- Guides
AI companion memory, explained the way I wish someone had explained it to me
What AI companion memory really is, why it makes or breaks the experience, how the different systems work, and how to help your companion remember you. A relaxed, honest guide.
- Reviews
Nomi review: I lived with it for a month, here is the honest verdict
A hands-on Nomi review after a month of daily use. Real chat quality, memory, pricing, privacy, and who it is genuinely worth it for. Score: 9.3 out of 10.
- Guides
What are AI companions? A warm, honest walk through them
A relaxed, first-hand guide to what AI companions actually are, how they work, what they cost, and how to start without getting burned. Written from real nights of use.
- Rankings
The best AI girlfriend apps in 2026, from someone who stayed past the honeymoon
My ranked shortlist of the best AI girlfriend apps in 2026, tested over weeks of real use. Honest picks for warmth, memory, value, and visuals, with a clear comparison table.
- Rankings
The best AI companion apps in 2026, ranked after weeks with each
My ranked shortlist of the best AI companion apps in 2026, after living with each one for weeks. Honest picks for conversation, memory, value, and vibe, plus a comparison table.