Replika vs Sesame (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Replika if

• Fits if you want a character to chat and call with, not an assistant for work
• Works for people who like keeping up one long conversation that remembers them

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want to know the price first, as none is published on the pages we read
• Not for you if you need research, writing or code help, as it is built as a companion
• Tight if you stay free, as daily replies, call minutes and weekly images can be capped
• Watch out: the App Store lists an 18+ age rating, and plans differ by version, platform and country

Pick Sesame if

• Fits if you want to talk to an AI by voice on your phone for free
• Works for iPhone owners who want it to reach Gmail and Calendar

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want a desktop or web app, as only phones are listed
• Watch out: the maker calls the iOS release a preview and has published no later pricing
• Not for you if you need a language other than English, which the maker calls early and less reliable
• Watch out: the app is limited to a list of supported countries

Replika

• No plan names or prices could be read from the vendor's pages. The terms say plans, prices and allowances are shown on the subscription and checkout screens.
• The terms say plans and features differ by version (classic and Replika 2.0), by platform and by country.
• Usage allowances such as daily chat replies, call minutes and weekly images can apply to a plan, per the terms.
• The App Store lists an 18+ age rating. The homepage lists iOS and Android apps, and a legacy web app is linked from its footer.

Sesame

• The maker still calls the iOS release a preview, and the full experience was free at launch with no later pricing published.
• Sesame officially supports English; other languages work but are described as early and less reliable.
• The app is limited to a list of supported countries, so it may not be available everywhere.
• The app list on the maker's site says it is available on iOS and Android, but only the iOS listing was read for details.

Replika

Text, voice and video conversations

You can chat in text, call your Replika by voice, and show it what you are looking at on video.

Memory of your life

The companion keeps track of the people, routines, plans and interests you tell it about, so later conversations can refer back to them.

Avatar customization

The look of the companion can be changed in detail, and the store listing describes avatar customization as one of the app's features.

Proactive check-ins and suggestions

The app lists proactive suggestions and follow-ups, such as nudges to reconnect with a friend or start a hobby.

Images and internet access

The App Store listing names image generation and exploring the internet together as features, and the site says the companion sends selfies.

Sesame

Voice and text conversation

Agents are built for spoken back-and-forth and can be texted when talking is not practical.

Four characters

Maya, Miles, Simone and Charlie each have their own personality and voice, and each keeps its own memory and app access.

Connected apps

Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Drive can be connected, and external MCP servers that use OAuth are supported.

Skills

A skill is a plain-language playbook created in conversation that runs on demand or on a schedule.

Incognito mode

In this mode nothing new is saved to memory or to Sesame's servers, according to the App Store description.

Replika

Pricing could not be confirmed. See replika.com.

Sesame

• Free$0

  The app is free; the maker has published no paid plan and no usage limits.