Why Do Character AI and Chai Still Have So Many Users?

Character AI and Chai continue to attract millions of users every day, even though newer, more flexible platforms exist.

Both platforms have faced heavy criticism for censorship, ad overload, and slow development, yet their user numbers keep rising.

This persistence raises a simple question: what keeps people from switching?

For many users, the answer lies in habit and accessibility. These two apps were most people’s first exposure to AI roleplay. Once users built routines, favorite characters, and social circles there, moving elsewhere felt unnecessary.

Most competitors, like CrushOn AI or Janitor AI, may offer better customization or fewer limits, but they also demand more effort to set up and use.

At its core, the majority of Character AI’s and Chai’s audience is made up of casual users. They want to chat without tweaking settings or worrying about subscriptions.

Both apps provide free, ready-to-use access and have strong name recognition across social media platforms like TikTok.

Their combination of simplicity, mobile availability, and recognizable branding keeps them at the top of the charts.

Familiarity Keeps People from Leaving

Familiarity is one of the strongest reasons users remain loyal to Character AI and Chai.

Both apps were early movers in AI roleplay and captured audiences before most competitors appeared.

That early advantage gave them time to build huge libraries of characters and creators, which now form an ecosystem that’s hard to replicate.

Once users have invested time creating bots or building relationships, switching platforms feels like starting over. It’s not just about convenience; it’s emotional.

Many users have entire storylines saved in Character AI, something they don’t want to abandon.

Even though alternatives like CrushOn AI and Janitor AI promise more freedom, they can’t yet match the same scale of user-generated characters.

This attachment grows stronger through routine. People open the same apps they’ve always used, interact with familiar bots, and scroll through familiar feeds.

The feeling of community, whether real or perceived, keeps users hooked long after the excitement of new platforms fades.

Accessibility Still Wins Over Better Features

Despite weaker models and constant complaints about censorship, Character AI and Chai remain easy to use. They remove every friction point that makes smaller tools intimidating.

A new user can download the app, pick a bot, and start chatting in seconds. That simplicity explains why both still have millions of active users daily.

From a practical perspective, most people don’t want to set up custom servers or tweak model settings. They want something that “just works.”

Alternatives often fail here.

Some require third-party integrations, others charge upfront, and many lack dedicated mobile apps. Character AI and Chai eliminate all that effort.

Here’s what gives them an edge in accessibility:

• Free access without mandatory subscriptions.

• Instant setup with no configuration required.

• App availability on both iOS and Android.

• Recognizable branding that appeals to younger users.

• Massive character libraries built by millions of users since launch.

Their user base also skews younger. Teens and early 20s users dominate both platforms, drawn by simple visuals and social features like group chats and public feeds.

This demographic prefers convenience over customization, and both apps deliver exactly that.

Free Still Beats Better

Price plays a major role in why Character AI and Chai continue to dominate. Most users simply don’t want to pay for features when they can get something “good enough” for free.

Even if newer platforms promise better conversations or less censorship, they often charge for access. That small paywall instantly filters out millions of casual users.

For many, free means freedom. They can chat endlessly without worrying about limits or subscriptions. Character AI, in particular, has managed to keep its core service free despite scaling costs.

Chai, while offering paid tiers, still maintains a free mode that satisfies most of its audience. In contrast, competitors like CrushOn AI or Janitor AI rely heavily on premium users, which narrows their reach.

Free also lowers the entry barrier for younger audiences who don’t have access to payment methods.

Teens make up a significant part of both platforms’ active base, and their engagement drives visibility across TikTok and Discord communities.

In short, “free and familiar” continues to outperform “better but paid.”

Marketing and Momentum Still Matter

Even when a product isn’t the best, good marketing keeps it alive. Character AI and Chai benefit from massive brand recognition and continued buzz across social media.

Their early success made them synonymous with AI chat itself, while competitors are still fighting to establish an identity.

Both companies have also secured substantial funding, allowing them to spend on advertising and partnerships.

Their visibility alone keeps them in front of potential new users every day. By contrast, smaller platforms like Janitor AI or niche RP sites rely mostly on word of mouth.

Momentum matters too. Once millions of users are already active, each new user finds a richer environment, more bots, more conversations, more activity.

That loop feeds itself. People follow the crowd, so growth sustains itself even when quality slips.

At this point, switching becomes an effort without reward. Users already have what they want: free access, endless characters, and familiar layouts.

For most, that’s enough reason to stay.