What the price gets you
Unfiltered chat and a batch of pre-built characters, and that's about it. For some readers that's exactly the brief, and an app being honest about how little it does won't cost it points with me.
| Point of comparison | Joi | Secret Desires | Sweetdream (free) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Cheapest in our ranking | Higher, revealed after sign-up | US$0 |
| Chat | Unfiltered, terse | Unfiltered, stays in the moment | Warm and story-led |
| Memory | Scarcely carries over | Carries over | Moderate |
| Media | None or basic | Voice and short videos | Limited, then paid |
Where it came up short
Replies stayed short and I had to drive every scene myself. Between sessions, memory was close to nil. There's no builder to speak of, and the media features the rest of our ranking treats as standard just aren't there.
Better options
If the low price appeals but you'd like an app that holds up its end of the conversation, Secret Desires is the natural step up. If you'd simply like to test the waters without spending anything, try Sweetdream for free.
Who it suits
Someone who wants unfiltered chat tonight and won't pay Candy AI or Secret Desires prices. It's not for anyone hoping for a companion who'll still remember them come the weekend.

