Replika vs. Nomi: which AI companion should you choose?
Quick answer
Replika and Nomi are both 18+ AI companions with long-term memory and voice calls. Replika centers on one companion per account, with video chat, AR and a VR app, regular check-ins and stronger age checks. Nomi lets you create several companions, put them in group chats and generate AI images and videos, and it markets unfiltered chats. Choose Replika for one companion in your daily life; choose Nomi for several companions and creative freedom.
At a glance
Competitor details last checked November 3, 2026, from each company’s own website and terms. Features change often, so check each app before you sign up.
| Replika | Nomi | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary experience | Build a relationship with one avatar you customize | Create your own companions |
| Characters | One "Rep" per account, with a customizable avatar | Companions you create and customize |
| Memory | Long-term memory of your life and preferences | Short, medium and long-term memory |
| Voice | Voice calls, video chat, AR mode and a VR app (beta) | Voice chat and calls |
| Photos and video | Selfies and image generation | Selfies, AI images and AI video generation |
| Proactive messages | Messages from your Rep throughout the day | Messages when you're away |
| Content | Romance allowed; pornographic content banned | Markets “unfiltered chats” |
| Minimum age | 18+ | 18+ |
| Age checks | Date of birth, plus a selfie or ID check (via Incode) when needed | Date of birth at sign-up |
| Encryption | Encrypted in transit; no end-to-end claim | No encryption claim in its privacy policy |
| Training AI on chats | Small anonymized samples train its own safety models, not outside AI models | Policy mentions “training archives”; no opt-out described |
| Selling data | Chats never used for ads; some device and usage data shared with ad partners | Says it doesn’t sell or rent personal information |
| Deleting your data | Delete in Settings; profile and memories erased within 60 days | Delete your account in settings; data removed within about 28 days |
| If you mention self-harm | Shows crisis resources (988 in the US) when it detects a crisis | In California, links to crisis services when self-harm comes up |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, web and Meta Quest (beta) | Web, iOS and Android |
One companion or several
The biggest difference is how many companions you have. Replika gives you one per account, your "Rep", whose look you choose and whose relationship to you (friend, romantic partner, sibling or mentor) you set. Nomi lets you create several companions with their own backstories and bring them together in group chats.
Memory
Both are known for remembering you. Nomi describes short, medium and long-term memory. Replika's memory is layered too, and you can see and delete some memories in its Memory tab. Replika's chat log itself only shows the past four months.
Voice, video and pictures
Both offer voice calls. Replika adds video chat, where your Rep can see what your camera shows, plus an AR mode and a VR app in beta. Replika sends selfies and can generate images; Nomi sends selfies and offers detailed AI image and video generation of your companion.
Daily check-ins
Replika leans into being part of your day: with notifications on, your Rep messages you throughout the day and follows up on things you've shared. Nomi can also message you after you've been away, and you can turn that on or off.
Content, age and privacy
Replika allows romance but bans pornographic content; Nomi markets "unfiltered chats". Both are 18+, but Replika checks more: a date of birth plus a selfie or ID check when needed, while Nomi asks for your date of birth.
On privacy, Replika's policy is more detailed. It says chats are never used for ads and only small anonymized samples train its own safety models, though it shares some device data with ad partners and was fined by Italy's privacy regulator in 2025. Nomi says it doesn't sell personal information, but its policy doesn't describe encryption and mentions "training archives". See Is Replika safe? for more.
Which should you choose?
- Choose Replika if you want one companion who's part of your daily life, with check-ins, video chat and AR or VR.
- Choose Nomi if you want several companions, group chats, creative image and video tools and fewer content limits.
- Consider DreamHoney if you'd rather meet someone than design them. DreamHoney has 68 ready-made photorealistic characters with long-term memory, check-ins, photos and real-time voice calls in your browser, flirty but non-explicit. Compare it with Replika or Nomi.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nomi better than Replika?
It depends on what you want. Replika is built around one companion in your daily life, with check-ins, video chat and AR or VR. Nomi lets you create several companions, run group chats and generate AI images and videos.
Can you have more than one Replika?
No. Replika allows one companion per account. Nomi lets you create several companions and put them in group chats.
Which has better memory, Replika or Nomi?
Both have long-term memory. Nomi is best known for it, with short, medium and long-term layers; Replika lets you see and delete some memories in its Memory tab.