Best AI friend app
Updated November 8, 2026
Hallie is our pick for the best AI friend app. She lives in iMessage or Google Messages like any other contact, remembers what you tell her, and texts you first, so it feels like having a friend rather than opening an app. If you'd rather design your own character, Kindroid or Nomi fit better.
What to look for
- It's a friend, not a fantasy
- Many companion apps lean toward romance or roleplay. If you want someone to talk to about your day, pick an app built around ordinary friendship.
- It texts where you already text
- A friend you have to open a separate app for is easy to forget. Apps that use iMessage or Google Messages sit next to your real conversations.
- It remembers your life
- A good AI friend picks up what you said last week: the interview, the roommate, the trip. Without memory, every chat starts from zero.
- It reaches out
- Friends check in. An AI friend that can text you first makes the relationship feel two-way instead of something you have to start every time.
Apps worth comparing
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Hallie Our pick
An AI friend you text like a regular contact. Hallie remembers what you share and reaches out first. You sign up on the web and there's no app to install. Best for people who want a friend in their normal texts.
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Kindroid
A customizable companion you design yourself. Kindroid can also text natively on iPhone and Android, though its own docs say native texts stop if you haven't texted it recently. Best if you enjoy building a character.
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Nomi
Companions with per-Nomi settings, including how often each one messages you first. Conversations happen in the Nomi app. Best if you want several distinct companions.
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Replika
One of the longest-running companion apps. Check-ins arrive inside the Replika app once notifications are on. Best if you want everything in one dedicated app.
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Mia by Warmth
A single pre-written character with her own tastes and routines, delivered over iMessage. Best if you want a personality that arrives fully formed.
Why Hallie is our pick
Most AI companion apps ask you to open the app, build a character and start every conversation yourself. Hallie skips that. After a short sign-up on the web, she shows up as a thread in your Messages app and the conversation reads like texting a friend. You tell her what's going on, she answers, and later she follows up on it.
That combination, a normal text thread plus memory plus messages she starts, is what makes an AI friend feel like a friend. Other apps have some of these pieces. Hallie is built around all three.
When another app is the better fit
Pick Kindroid or Nomi if designing a character is half the fun, or if you want detailed settings for how your companion behaves. Pick Replika if you prefer a dedicated app with its own space. Pick Mia if you want a specific, already-written personality. If you're unsure, try two apps for a week of ordinary days and keep the one you actually want to text back.
Questions and answers
What is the best AI friend app?
For most people we recommend Hallie, because she texts you in iMessage or Google Messages, remembers your life and reaches out first. If you'd rather design a character, try Kindroid or Nomi.
Is there an AI friend app that isn't about romance?
Yes. Hallie is built around everyday friendship: talking about your day, venting, and catching up. See our page on the best AI friend app that isn't about romance.
Do I need to download an app to have an AI friend?
Not with Hallie. You sign up on the web, verify your phone number, and she texts you in iMessage or Google Messages. Most other companions run inside their own app.
Are AI friend apps free?
Most charge a subscription for full use. Hallie is a subscription; check the current offer at checkout on hallie.io.
Sources
- Hallie: official site
- Kindroid: chat features and tools documentation
- Nomi: proactive messaging guide
- Replika: notification settings help
- Warmth: why Mia lives on iMessage
- Companion Ratings: Hallie review