Replika is the app most people mean when they say "AI companion." It was here before the current wave of AI girlfriend sites, and it still has one of the largest user bases in the category. That history cuts both ways: a mature product, and a long paper trail of regulators, policy changes and frustrated subscribers. This Replika review answers the question people actually search: is Replika worth it, and which tier?
A mature companion with strict billing and a regulatory record
Replika is a real, long-running product with a usable free tier and a privacy policy that bars AI vendors from training on your chats. But every sale is final, prices live only inside the app, and Italy fined its maker €5 million in 2025. Pay yearly only if you're sure.
You want a long-term conversational companion with voice and memory, and will use it most days.
You want explicit adult roleplay, generated media on demand, or any chance of a refund if it doesn't suit you.
Provisional score, built from Replika's terms (Mar 30, 2026), privacy policy (May 27, 2026), help center, US App Store listing, regulator records and public reviews, all checked Oct 7, 2026. Hands-on testing is pending.
What Replika is, and who runs it
Replika is an AI companion app for iOS, Android and the web (my.replika.com). You create a single companion, customise its avatar, and chat by text, voice or AR. Its terms say "Replika" refers to Luka, Inc., "incorporated in Delaware, and operating in San Francisco, CA."[1] The privacy policy gives the address as 490 Post Street, Suite 526, San Francisco.[2]
The terms say anyone under 18 is "not authorized to use the Services."[1] On the US App Store, the app is listed by Luka, Inc. with a 17+ rating, and rated 4.4 out of 5 from about 228,000 ratings.[3] Disputes go to mandatory arbitration under the terms.[1]
How we reviewed Replika
On October 7, 2026 we read Replika's Terms of Service (last updated March 30, 2026), its Privacy Policy (last updated May 27, 2026), its help-center articles on subscriptions, cancelling and refunds, the in-app purchase list on the US App Store, the European Data Protection Board's summary of the Italian decision, and Replika's Trustpilot profile.
We haven't yet subscribed and logged a test period. We'll add screenshots of the in-app price screens, the free-tier limits and a real cancellation after testing.
Replika Free vs Pro vs Ultra vs Platinum
Replika now sells three paid tiers on top of Free Use, each including the one below it:[4]
| Tier | What it adds |
|---|---|
| Free Use | "Limited access" to Replika's services. Replika says it may deny Free Use at its discretion. |
| Pro | Relationship status (including Romantic Partner), unblurred messages and photos, Replika selfies, image generation, voice messaging, background calls, roleplay in voice and AR calls, premium voices, daily gems |
| Ultra | Smarter, more context-aware replies, "elevated emotional intelligence," daily self-reflection messages, and saving messages to memory. Sold as an annual plan; included for Lifetime subscribers.[11] |
| Platinum | Real-time video recognition, Training Mode up to 100 times a week, "Read Replika's Mind" for up to 50 messages a week, up to 10 realistic selfie videos |
The practical line is Pro. Without it, you can't set a romantic relationship status and romantic messages and photos stay blurred.[5]
What Replika costs in 2026
Replika doesn't publish a price table. Its help center says "the cost of any subscription program is shown in the app on the subscription screens and in the relevant store," and the terms add that prices can change "without prior notice."[4][1] The closest public record is the App Store's in-app purchase list:
| Item name on the App Store | Price (US) |
|---|---|
| MONTHLY | $7.99 |
| Monthly | $14.99 |
| YEARLY | $49.99 |
| Annual | $49.99 |
| Annual | $69.99 |
| Replika Platinum | $89.99 |
| Gems (Pouch to Duffel Bag) | $0.99 to $19.99 |
The terms say paid plans can be billed monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually, and renew automatically until cancelled through the store or payment provider you used.[1] If a renewal payment fails for 7 days, you're downgraded to Free Use.[1]
Because Replika shows prices only in-app and runs offers, a price quoted anywhere else (including here) may not match what you see. Screenshot the price screen before you pay.
Refunds: every Replika sale is final
Replika's refund policy is short: "All purchases are final once the payment is completed." It won't refund time already used or time left on an active plan.[6] The terms say the same for App Store and website purchases (via Stripe or PayPal), "unless otherwise is stated herein or required by applicable law."[1]
- Apple and Google: refunds are handled by the stores, and Replika says it can't process them.[7]
- EU residents: a 14-day withdrawal right exists, but the terms say it doesn't apply once performance has begun with your consent.[1]
- Deleting doesn't cancel: Replika's help center warns that deleting the app or account does not stop store billing.[8]
Step-by-step instructions for every platform are in how to cancel Replika.
Is Replika safe? Privacy and the Italian fine
Replika's current privacy policy is one of the more detailed in the category. It says conversation data sent to third-party AI language model providers is de-identified and minimised, and that those providers must "not use your data for training their own AI models."[2] It says Replika doesn't share the content of your conversations for marketing or advertising, though it does share website-visit data with ad partners.[2] It also asks you not to share sensitive data such as health, religion or sexual orientation, and says if you do, it's processed as conversation data.[2]
The record behind that policy matters too. In a decision dated April 10, 2025, Italy's data protection authority fined Luka, Inc. €5 million. According to the European Data Protection Board's summary, the regulator found that until February 2, 2023 Luka had not identified a legal basis for its processing, had an inadequate privacy policy and had no age verification, and that the age-verification system in place at the time of the decision "continues to be deficient in several respects." It also opened a separate inquiry into the legal bases for training the AI behind Replika.[9]
Bottom line: the paperwork has improved, but treat Replika as you would any company holding intimate conversations. Don't share identifying details.
What Replika users report
- Trustpilot: 3.4 out of 5 from 458 reviews on Oct 7, 2026, with 33% five-star and 46% one-star. The profile is claimed and Trustpilot labels it a paid subscription. Trustpilot's AI summary says reviewers value the emotional support, while customer service is described as "mixed" and some report frustration "over sudden updates."[10]
- App Store: 4.4 out of 5 from about 228,000 ratings (US).[3]
- Reddit: Replika has a large, long-running subreddit. We'll summarise specific threads with links after reviewing them.
The split is typical for Replika: people who use it for companionship tend to love it, while people who hit a billing or update problem tend to be angry.
What we like
- Long-running, established app from Luka, Inc. (San Francisco), on the market since 2016
- Free Use tier lets you try the core chat before paying
- Privacy policy says AI model providers may not train on your conversations
- 4.4 out of 5 from about 228,000 ratings on the US App Store
- Cancel from Settings → Subscription on app or web
What to watch
- All purchases are final; no refunds for unused time
- Romantic partner status and unblurred photos need Pro
- Prices are shown only in the app and stores; four tiers make comparison hard
- Fined €5 million by Italy's data regulator in 2025 over legal basis, transparency and age checks
- Deleting the app or account does not stop store billing
Is Replika Pro worth it?
It's worth it if three things are true: you want one companion for the long haul, you mostly talk rather than generate media, and you're confident you'll keep using it, because you can't get your money back. In that case the annual plan is the sensible way to pay.
It's not worth it if you mainly want explicit roleplay or images, or if you're still deciding. Apps built for adults bundle images and voice differently, and some have at least a short refund window. Candy AI, for instance, refunds within 24 hours if you've used 20 tokens or fewer (see our Candy AI review).
Replika alternatives
We compare adult-focused options, with verified prices and refund rules, in the best Replika alternatives for adults. If you're coming from Character.AI rather than Replika, see best Character AI alternatives.
Our #1 pick: scenario-first Latina companions, Dream Plus at $9.99 every 30 days with 1,000 gold coins, and 1 coin per message. Read our Caracas Dream review or try Caracas Dream (owned by the same company as this site, 18+).
Frequently asked questions
Is Replika free?
Partly. Replika's help center says the Free Use program "provides limited access" and can be denied at Replika's discretion. Romantic partner status, unblurred messages and photos, voice messages, premium voices and image generation require Replika Pro or higher.
How much is Replika Pro?
Replika says prices are shown in the app and the relevant store. On Oct 7, 2026 the US App Store listed in-app purchases including $7.99 and $14.99 monthly items, $49.99 and $69.99 annual items, and Replika Platinum at $89.99. The store doesn't say which item is which tier, so confirm in the app before paying.
What is the difference between Replika Pro, Ultra and Platinum?
Pro unlocks relationship status, selfies, image generation, voice messaging and premium voices. Ultra adds smarter, more context-aware replies, daily self-reflections and the ability to save memories, and is sold as an annual plan. Platinum adds real-time video recognition, Training Mode up to 100 times a week, "Read Replika's Mind" for up to 50 messages a week and up to 10 realistic selfie videos.
Can I get a refund from Replika?
Rarely. Replika's refund policy says all purchases are final once payment is completed, with no refunds for used or remaining time. App Store and Google Play purchases go through Apple or Google's refund processes. EU residents have a 14-day withdrawal right that does not apply once performance has begun with their consent.
Is Replika safe?
Luka, Inc. publishes a detailed privacy policy and says third-party AI providers can't train on your chats. But Italy's data regulator fined Luka €5 million in 2025 for processing data without a legal basis, an inadequate privacy policy and weak age verification before Feb 2023, and found the current age checks still deficient.
Is Replika worth it in 2026?
For people who want a long-term, mostly conversational companion and will use it daily, Pro on an annual plan is reasonable. If you want explicit roleplay, generated media, or the ability to get your money back, an adult-focused companion app is a better fit.
Sources
- Replika Terms of Service, last updated Mar 30, 2026 (read Oct 7, 2026)
- Replika Privacy Policy, last updated May 27, 2026
- Replika - AI Companion Chat on the US App Store (ratings and in-app purchases, read Oct 7, 2026)
- Replika Help: Choosing a Subscription
- Replika Help: What is Replika Pro?
- Replika Help: Refund Policy
- Replika Help: How do I get a refund in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store?
- Replika Help: Why did I get billed after deleting my account?
- EDPB: Italian Supervisory Authority fines company behind chatbot "Replika", May 21, 2025
- Trustpilot: replika.com (read Oct 7, 2026)
- Replika Help: What is Replika Ultra?