Character AI old vs new: Everything You Need to Know Before Choosing

A full breakdown of Character AI old vs new — features, pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and which makes sense.

Format
Head-to-head
Updated
April 7, 2026
Screenshot of Character.AI platform showing AI character chat and roleplay conversation interface

How they compare

Feature
Character.AI
Newegg
Made by Character Technologies Inc. Newegg Commerce Inc.
Category AI Entertainment Tools AI Roleplay Tools AI Customer Service Business Management Marketing & Advertising
Pricing model Freemium Free to browse Pay Per Product
Platforms Android iOS Web Android iOS Mobile Web Web
Built with character creation engine Proprietary LLM Python Not listed
Languages English French German Japanese +3 more English
Based in United States United States

Greyed rows are the same for both tools.

What each one is

Character.AI

Character.AI is an AI platform for creating and chatting with AI-powered characters. Founded in 2021 by Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas (former Google Brain researchers), it uses a proprietary LLM fine-tuned for character consistency and engaging roleplay. Users can chat with thousands of pre-made characters or create their own custom personas with defined personalities, backstories, and speech styles.

Full Character.AI review

Newegg

Newegg is a leading online retailer specializing in consumer electronics, computer hardware, and tech gadgets. It offers a comprehensive catalog of products ranging from PC components, laptops, gaming gear, to home electronics. The platform serves both individual consumers and businesses, providing detailed product information, competitive pricing, and customer reviews to facilitate informed purchases.

Full Newegg review

Key features

Character.AI

  • Thousands of AI Characters

    Chat with fictional, historical, celebrity-inspired, and user-created AI characters.

  • Character Creation Tools

    Build detailed AI characters with custom personalities, voices, and knowledge bases.

  • Consistent Personas

    Characters maintain consistent personalities and speech patterns across sessions.

  • Group Chat

    Put multiple AI characters in the same conversation and watch them interact.

  • Multi-Platform

    Seamlessly switch between web, iOS, and Android with synchronized history.

  • c.ai+ Premium

    Premium plan removes wait times and adds exclusive features.

Newegg

  • Extensive Product Catalog

    Thousands of electronics and computer components from multiple brands.

  • User Reviews and Ratings

    Customer feedback helps buyers make informed decisions.

  • Daily Deals and Promotions

    Regular discounts and special offers on popular items.

  • Business Solutions

    Dedicated services and pricing for business customers.

  • Mobile-Friendly Platform

    Optimized website and apps for shopping on the go.

Pricing

Plans as published by each vendor. Check the vendor site before buying — pricing changes.

Character.AI

  • Free $0/month

    Full access to all characters, standard response speed, community features.

  • c.ai+ Premium $9.99/month

    Priority access, no wait times, faster responses, early access to new features.

Newegg

  • Free to Browse $0

    Access to product listings and reviews without any cost.

  • Pay per Product Varies by item

    Customers pay the listed price for each product purchased.

Strengths and trade-offs

Character.AI

Strengths

  • Largest library of AI characters on any platform
  • Highly engaging immersive roleplay experience
  • Free tier with full character access
  • Strong community of character creators
  • Excellent for creative writing and language practice

Trade-offs

  • Not suitable for factual research — characters may produce inaccurate information
  • Can be addictive raising concerns about over-engagement
  • No NSFW content allowed
  • Character responses can feel repetitive in long sessions

Newegg

Strengths

  • Wide selection of electronics and components
  • Detailed product information and customer reviews
  • Competitive pricing with frequent deals
  • Business purchasing options
  • User-friendly website and mobile apps

Trade-offs

  • Limited international shipping availability
  • Customer service can be slow during peak times
  • Some products may have limited stock

Who it is for

Character.AI

  • Creative writers and storytellers
  • Language learners and students
  • Gamers and roleplay enthusiasts
  • Fans of fictional universes
  • Young adults seeking entertainment

Newegg

  • Individual consumers seeking electronics
  • PC builders and gamers
  • Small to medium businesses needing hardware
  • Tech enthusiasts researching products
  • Online shoppers looking for deals

What people use it for

Character.AI

  • Creative Roleplay

    Immerse in fantasy, sci-fi, historical, and fan-fiction roleplay scenarios.

  • Language Learning

    Practice conversational language skills with AI characters configured as native speakers.

  • Entertainment

    Have fun conversations with AI versions of favorite fictional or historical figures.

  • Character Creation

    Build custom AI characters for games, apps, or creative projects.

  • Story Writing

    Co-write stories through interactive narrative roleplay with consistent AI characters.

  • Social Interaction

    Engage in companionship conversations with empathetic AI personas.

Newegg

  • Consumer Electronics Shopping

    Purchase a wide range of electronics including computers, components, and accessories.

  • Business Procurement

    Businesses can source hardware and technology products for their operations.

  • Product Research

    Users can research product specifications, reviews, and pricing to make informed buying decisions.

  • Customer Support

    Access customer service for order assistance, returns, and technical support.

Getting started

Character.AI

  1. Browse or Create Characters

    Browse thousands of pre-made characters by category, or search for specific personas.

  2. Start a Conversation

    Select any character and begin chatting immediately — no setup required.

  3. Interact Naturally

    Engage in natural conversation — the AI maintains the character's unique personality and style.

  4. Create Your Own Character

    Use the Character Creator to define personality, backstory, appearance, and conversation style.

  5. Join the Community

    Share your characters publicly and discover popular characters created by the community.

Newegg

  1. Browse Products

    Explore categories or use search to find electronics and components.

  2. Select Items

    Choose products and add them to your shopping cart.

  3. Checkout

    Complete your purchase by entering shipping and payment details.

  4. Order Fulfillment

    Newegg processes and ships your order with tracking information.

  5. Customer Support

    Access support for any post-purchase questions or issues.

Common questions

Yes, free with full access. c.ai+ Premium is $9.99/month removing wait times.

Newegg ships primarily within the United States but offers international shipping on select items.

Founded by Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas, former Google Brain researchers, in 2021.

Newegg accepts credit cards, PayPal, and other common payment methods.

Safety filters for 13+ users. Mindful use recommended regarding time spent and emotional attachment.

Yes, Newegg provides business accounts with tailored pricing and services.

Yes, using the Character Creator with custom personality, backstory, and style.

After purchase, tracking information is provided via email and your account dashboard.

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