Candy AI alternative: Aura vs Candy AI

This page is for adults who use Candy AI, or are thinking about it, and want to see how Aura compares before spending money. Both are AI companion apps for adults (18+): you pick or build a character, chat, and get photos of your companion. The real differences are in how you pay for extras, how well your companion remembers you, and what the subscription already includes.

People usually start looking for a Candy AI alternative for two reasons. The first is cost: Candy's subscription comes with a monthly batch of tokens, and images, videos and voice notes are paid with those tokens, so people who use them a lot end up topping up on top of the plan. The second is memory — some users find that details they shared weeks ago get lost. Below is a side-by-side table built from Candy AI's own pages, followed by what users report and where Candy is genuinely strong.

Aura vs Candy AI at a glance

Feature	Aura	Candy AI
Price	$13.99/mo, or $4.15/mo billed yearly; 200 tokens/mo included	$13.99/mo, or $3.99/mo billed yearly; 100 tokens/mo included^[1]
Free plan	100 messages a day + first photo from each character	Check their site
18+ content	Yes, adults only (18+)	Yes, 18+ image and video generation on Premium^[1]
Photos	On demand, matching the scene; Premium unlocks all, up to 60 a day	Images and videos, paid with tokens^[2]
Voice	Not yet: text chat with photos	Voice notes, paid with tokens^[2]
Memory	Long-term: saves facts about you and recalls the relevant ones	Picks up your preferences as you chat^[3]
Apps	Web (no download), home-screen install on iPhone and Android	Web, add to home screen; no app store^[3]
Crypto	Yes (USDT, TON, BTC, TRX, ETH)	Yes (BTC, ETH, USDC, Litecoin and more)^[3]
Refunds	Cancel renewal anytime; see refund policy	Within 24 hours (14 days in the EU/UK)^[2]

Numbers in brackets link to the sources at the bottom of the page. “Check their site” means we could not confirm it on a public page.

Why people look for a Candy AI alternative

Reviewers note that the real monthly cost can end up well above the plan price once extra tokens for images, voice and video are added.^[4]
Users report that companions can lose track of personal details after a few weeks of chatting.^[5]
Outside the EU and UK, a refund has to be requested within 24 hours of paying, which reviewers flag as a short window.^[4]
Unused tokens expire when a subscription is cancelled, according to its terms.^[2]

What Candy AI does well

A wide feature set in one place: image generation, short videos and voice notes.
Works in the mobile browser and can be added to the home screen, so no app store is involved.
Accepts cards and several cryptocurrencies.
Discounted longer plans make the yearly price low per month.

Why try Aura

Memory that lasts. Aura saves the facts you share — your name, your plans, what you like — and brings back the ones that matter in later chats, instead of relying only on a short chat window.
A relationship that moves. Your companion’s mood shifts with the conversation, your relationship level grows as you talk, and your companion can message you first.
Photos included. Ask for a photo and get one that matches the scene. The first photo from each character is free, and Premium unlocks every photo, up to 60 a day.
Pay your way. Visa and Mastercard cards, and crypto (USDT, TON, BTC, TRX, ETH), with a neutral billing descriptor.
Nothing to install. Aura works in any mobile or desktop browser, and can be added to your home screen on iPhone and Android.
Free to start. 100 free messages a day and a free first photo from every character; Premium is from $4.15 a month on the yearly plan.
Private chats. Conversations are never sold or used for advertising, and analytics session recording is turned off.

Every plan and token pack is listed on the pricing page.

Which one should you pick?

Pick Candy AI if short videos and voice notes are the features you care about most, and you are happy to pay for them with tokens as you go. Its feature list is broader than Aura's today: Aura has no voice or video.

Pick Aura if you mostly want a companion to talk to every day — one who remembers your life, has moods and sends photos when the moment calls for it — at a predictable monthly price. Premium unlocks every photo your companion sends, and token packs are only there if you want extras.

The easiest way to decide is to try both. Aura's free plan needs no card, so you can chat for a few days and see whether the memory holds up for you.

Questions

Is Aura a good Candy AI alternative?

If you want a companion with long-term memory on every account, and Premium that unlocks unlimited chat and every photo, yes. If short videos or voice notes are a must, Candy AI currently offers features that Aura does not.

Is Aura cheaper than Candy AI?

It depends on how you use it. Both apps discount longer plans. Aura's Premium includes a monthly token allowance and unlocks every photo your companion sends, so a normal month does not need top-ups. Current prices for both are in the table above and on our pricing page.

Can I pay for Aura with crypto?

Yes. Aura accepts Visa and Mastercard as well as several cryptocurrencies, including USDT and BTC.

Do I need to download an app?

No. Aura runs in any mobile or desktop browser and can be added to your home screen on iPhone or Android. There is no App Store or Google Play app.

Is Aura connected to Candy AI?

No. Aura is an independent app operated by Nervous Group LLP in the United Kingdom.

Other comparisons

All comparisons

Candy AI is a trademark of its owner. Aura is not affiliated with or endorsed by Candy AI. Competitor details are taken from public sources linked on this page and were checked on 2026-10-13; plans change — check their site for current terms.

Sources

Candy AI subscription plans (candy.ai)
Candy AI terms of service (candy.ai)
Candy AI home page (candy.ai)
RoboRhythms: Candy AI pricing review (www.roborhythms.com)
HowToTechInfo: Candy AI user review roundup (howtotechinfo.com)

Updated 2026-10-19