Updated Oct 14, 2026 · Character.AI news
The Best Character AI Alternative in 2026 — and How to Save Your Chats First
Character.AI has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is being sold. It's still online for now, but its future is uncertain. Here's what's happening, how to export your chats today, and where to continue your stories.
18+ only. Not affiliated with Character.AI or Character Technologies, Inc.
What's Happening with Character.AI (Bankruptcy Update)
- On October 12, 2026 (US time), Character Technologies, the company behind Character.AI, filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware to run a court-supervised sale of the company.
- Disney has agreed to pay $20 million as the "stalking horse" bidder for a non-exclusive, perpetual license to certain Character.AI intellectual property. Other buyers can still make higher or better offers.
- Character.AI says it expects the sale process to be complete by the end of November or early December 2026.
- The platform is still up and running. Character.AI says paid subscriptions remain active and billing is unchanged for now.
- If no workable bid is found, Character.AI says the platform "will be wound down."
- Reuters reports roughly 12 million active users and losses of about $8–9 million per month, citing court documents.
- You can still export your data or delete your account. Character.AI has not said that characters or chats will move to any new owner.
Sources: Character.AI blog, "An Update on Character.ai" (Oct 12, 2026) · Reuters (Oct 13, 2026) · TechCrunch (Oct 13, 2026) · Variety (Oct 13, 2026) · Character.AI Help Center
Is Character.AI Shutting Down?
Not right now. As of October 14, 2026, Character.AI is still online and all services are available. Filing for Chapter 11 is not the same as closing: it gives the company court protection while it tries to sell itself.
What happens next depends on the sale. If a buyer wants to keep the platform running, Character.AI may continue under new ownership. If no workable bid comes in, the company has said the platform will be wound down. A decision is expected around late November or early December 2026.
Either way, there is no promise that your characters or chat history will carry over. If they matter to you, export your data now — the export can take weeks to arrive.
What is Chapter 11?
Chapter 11 is a type of US bankruptcy that lets a company keep operating while it restructures or sells its assets under court supervision. Character.AI is using it to sell the company.
How to Export Your Character.AI Chats (Step by Step)
Character.AI doesn't have a per-chat download button. Instead, you request a copy of all your account data, and Character.AI emails you a download link. According to its Help Center, exports can take 3–4 weeks — so request yours today.
On the web
- Go to your Profile.
- Click Profile Settings.
- Click Account.
- Click Manage Account & Data.
- Click Export Data.
- A pop-up confirms you'll receive an email with a download link.
On the mobile app
- Open your Profile.
- Tap the Settings icon.
- Tap Legal & Privacy.
- Tap Export Data.
- A "Success" banner appears once your request is submitted.
What happens next
- Your export may take 3–4 weeks to complete.
- Character.AI sends a download link to the email address on your account.
- The link is valid for 7 days, so download your file as soon as it arrives.
- While you wait, copy your favorite characters' greeting and definition into a text file, and screenshot or copy key moments from chats you care about.
Steps from the Character.AI Help Center article "How do I download my data?" (updated Oct 8, 2026). Menu names can change; check the Help Center if your screen looks different.
How to Bring Your Character to SweetAI
There's no one-click import from Character.AI, but you can recreate your character on SweetAI in a few minutes using the details you saved.
Open Create Character
Go to Create Character. You can start for free.
Paste the persona into the description
On the first step, use the box labeled "Describe the character you want to create." Paste the character's personality, background, speaking style, and the situation you want. SweetAI uses the first sentence of this description as the opening line, so start with the greeting you want. Up to 2,000 characters.
Add a picture
A reference picture is optional. If you have a look in mind, use "Image reference picture (optional)," then choose a style under "Select the drawing style" and continue. SweetAI generates the character image from your description, and you can regenerate it. An image is required before the character can be created.
Name the character and add the setting
Enter a Character Name (up to 100 characters). In Character Setting, put the world, the relationship, and a short summary of memories you want kept, such as names, events, and inside jokes. Up to 2,000 characters.
Choose a voice, then create
Use "Select Voice" if you want one. Voice is optional. Then create the character and start chatting.
Best Character AI Alternatives Compared
Looking for apps like Character.AI? Here's a neutral rundown of the most-discussed options on Reddit and beyond. Policies and prices change often — check each site before you subscribe.
| Platform | What it is | Best for | Adult content (18+) | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SweetAIOur pick | Web AI companion chat with 10,000+ characters, custom character creation, image generation, Live2D chat and the Facy AI mobile app. | All-in-one chat, characters and images | Adults only (18+) | Free to start; Premium available |
| Janitor AI | Web platform for chatting with a large library of community-made characters, with an option to connect your own model API. | Community characters, model choice | Allows adult text for 18+ users | See official site |
| SillyTavern | Free, open-source app you install yourself and connect to AI model APIs or local models; no hosted service. | Tinkerers who want full control | Depends on the model/provider you use | Free (you pay for any API you use) |
| CrushOn AI | Character chat platform with community characters and multiple AI models. | Large adult roleplay library | Allows fictional adult text for 18+ users | See official site |
| Nomi AI | Companion app focused on one-to-one relationships with long-term memory. | A single companion that remembers you | Varies; see Nomi's policies | See official site |
| PolyBuzz | Mobile and web app for chatting with community characters. | Casual mobile character chat | Moderated; see PolyBuzz's policies | See official site |
| Chub AI | Community hub for character cards, with its own hosted chat (Venus). | Finding and sharing character cards | Depends on the model; see Chub's policies | See official site |
| SpicyChat | Character chat platform with community-made characters. | Adult roleplay with community bots | Allows adult content for verified 18+ users in some regions | See official site |
*Prices and policies as reported in early October 2026 and subject to change. Always check the official site. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; SweetAI is not affiliated with any of these services.
Why SweetAI Is a Great Character AI Alternative
10,000+ Characters
Explore a huge library of characters across genres — fantasy, anime, slice-of-life and more — or make your own.
Create Your Own Character
Build a character with a description, a name, a setting, an image and an optional voice. Create character
More Than Text
Generate images of your characters and try Live2D animated chat for a more immersive experience.
Chat Anywhere
Use SweetAI on the web or continue on the go with the Facy AI mobile app.
Don't wait for the sale decision
Export your Character.AI data today, then start your next story on SweetAI.
Start Chatting Free18+ only.
Character AI Alternative: What Reddit Users Are Looking For
Since the bankruptcy news, threads on Reddit and X have filled with the same questions: is Character.AI down, is it shutting down, and what are the best apps like Character.AI? Most users want three things — a big library of characters, the freedom to create their own, and confidence that their stories won't disappear. Whether you're comparing Janitor AI, SillyTavern, CrushOn or Nomi, start by exporting your Character.AI data, then try a couple of alternatives with the same character to see which one feels right. SweetAI is free to start, so it's an easy place to begin.
Character AI Alternative FAQs
Did Character.AI file for bankruptcy?
Yes. On October 12, 2026 (US time), Character Technologies, the company behind Character.AI, filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware to run a court-supervised sale of the company.
Is Character.AI shutting down?
Not right now. Character.AI says the platform remains up and running during the sale, which it expects to finish by the end of November or early December 2026. If no workable bid is found, the company says the platform will be wound down.
Who is buying Character.AI?
No final buyer has been announced. Disney has agreed to pay $20 million as the stalking horse bidder for a non-exclusive, perpetual license to certain Character.AI intellectual property, and other bidders can still make higher offers.
Is my Character.AI subscription still active?
According to Character.AI, paid subscriptions remain active and billing is unchanged for now. The company says it intends to notify subscribers in advance if paid features are affected.
How do I export my Character.AI chats?
On the web, go to Profile, then Profile Settings, Account, Manage Account & Data, and click Export Data. In the app, open Profile, tap Settings, then Legal & Privacy, and tap Export Data. Character.AI emails you a download link; exports can take 3 to 4 weeks and the link expires after 7 days.
Will my characters move to the new owner?
Character.AI has not promised that characters or chats will transfer anywhere. Exporting your data and saving your characters' greetings and descriptions is the safest way to keep them.
What is the best Character AI alternative?
It depends on what you want. SweetAI combines 10,000+ characters, custom character creation, image generation and Live2D chat for adults. Janitor AI and SpicyChat focus on community characters, Nomi on a single long-term companion, and SillyTavern on full control for technical users.
Can I bring my Character.AI character to SweetAI?
There is no automatic import, but you can recreate it in minutes. Open Create Character and paste the persona into the description box labeled "Describe the character you want to create." SweetAI uses the first sentence of that description as the greeting. Then add a Character Name and Character Setting, and generate an image. Voice is optional. The description and Character Setting can each be up to 2,000 characters, and the name up to 100.
Is SweetAI affiliated with Character.AI?
No. SweetAI is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Character.AI or Character Technologies, Inc. SweetAI is for adults 18 and over.
Ready to recreate a character? Create Your Character