# Character.AI vs Poe

> Character.AI: Chat, call and role-play with millions of user-made AI characters
> Poe: Chat with many AI models, image tools and custom bots through one account

- Character.AI profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/character-ai
- Poe profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/poe
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/character-ai-vs-poe
- Last reviewed: October 2026

## Verdict

Character.AI and Poe are both AI Assistants tools. Poe scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.0 vs 7.6 out of 10). Both have a free plan or trial. Only Poe is available on Windows and macOS and offers an API.

### Choose Character.AI if

- You want a tool built for character role-play.
- Free tier with unlimited messaging and character creation.
- Large catalog of user-created characters.

### Choose Poe if

- You want a tool built for comparing answers from several models.
- One account gives access to models from many AI companies, plus image and video models.
- Side-by-side comparison of model replies in a single conversation.

## Pricing

| | Character.AI | Poe |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | Character.AI | Poe |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Character chat | Yes | Not listed |
| Character creation | Yes | Not listed |
| Voice calls | Yes | Not listed |
| Memory and pins | Yes | Not listed |
| Lorebooks | Yes | Not listed |
| Image attachments | Yes | Not listed |
| Charms | Yes | Not listed |
| Mobile apps | Yes | Not listed |
| Multi-model chat | Not listed | Yes |
| Custom bot library | Not listed | Yes |
| Bot creation | Not listed | Yes |
| Creator monetization | Not listed | Yes |
| Poe API | Not listed | Yes |
| Image and video generation | Not listed | Yes |
| Multiple API keys | Not listed | Yes |
| Apps on several platforms | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | Character.AI | Poe |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | No | Yes |
| macOS | No | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | No | Yes |
| Browser Extension | No | No |

## Character.AI strengths

- Free tier with unlimited messaging and character creation
- Large catalog of user-created characters
- Text chat plus live voice calls
- Apps for web, iOS and Android
- Lower-priced (c.ai) lite plan at $4.99 per month

## Character.AI limitations

- Company filed for Chapter 11 on October 12, 2026, so the platform's future depends on a sale
- Free users see ads and slow mode
- Best memory, lorebook and limits are reserved for c.ai+ at $9.99 per month
- No public API and no pricing page on the website

## Poe strengths

- One account gives access to models from many AI companies, plus image and video models
- Side-by-side comparison of model replies in a single conversation
- Large library of user-made bots, and tools to build and monetize your own
- OpenAI-compatible API that uses the same point balance
- Entry paid plan costs $4.99 per month, and a free tier is available

## Poe limitations

- Points are used at different rates by each model, so heavy use of top models can drain an allowance quickly
- Reported cuts to the free daily allowance and Premium monthly points in 2026
- Bot quality varies widely and bots can be hard to discover
- No published compliance certifications such as SOC 2 or HIPAA were found
- Provider-specific features like ChatGPT's GPTs or Claude's Projects are not available

## FAQ

**Is Character.AI better than Poe?**

It depends on your workflow. Character.AI is built for character role-play. Poe is built for comparing answers from several models.

**What are the key feature differences between Character.AI and Poe?**

Character.AI: Chat, call and role-play with millions of user-made AI characters. Poe: Chat with many AI models, image tools and custom bots through one account.

**Does Character.AI or Poe have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. Character.AI is freemium and Poe is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, Character.AI or Poe?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.