Every AI boyfriend app on this site is scored out of 10 using the same five weighted criteria. This page explains what we look at, how we check prices and policies, how often we update, and how we keep affiliate relationships out of our rankings.
Our scoring criteria
We weight each factor by how much it matters in a boyfriend-style relationship:
| Factor | Weight | What we look at |
|---|---|---|
| Conversation & memory | 30% | Does he stay in character? Does he remember you next week? |
| Boyfriend features | 20% | Male companions, romance mode, voice, selfies |
| Value | 20% | Real monthly cost, including tokens and add-ons |
| Privacy & safety | 20% | Data policy, breach history, age gates, training on chats |
| Ease of use | 10% | Setup, apps vs. web only, ads and paywalls |
Each factor gets a score out of 10, and the weighted average becomes the app’s overall score. Scores are shown to one decimal place in our reviews, comparison tables and rankings.
Conversation & memory (30%)
This carries the most weight because it’s what makes an AI boyfriend feel like a relationship rather than a chatbot. We look at whether he keeps a consistent personality, how natural and varied his replies are, whether he follows the tone you set, and how well he recalls details over time. We also note how memory differs between free and paid tiers, since many apps reserve better memory for paying users. See can AI boyfriends remember you? for what separates good memory from bad.
Boyfriend features (20%)
Not every companion app is built with a boyfriend in mind. We check whether you can create a male companion, how many pre-made male characters exist, whether a romantic relationship is supported (and whether it’s paywalled), and which extras are available: voice messages, voice calls, selfies and images, video, and group chats. When an app is clearly girlfriend-first, we say so.
Value (20%)
We score what you’ll realistically pay, not just the headline price. That means looking at free tiers, monthly and annual plans, token or credit systems, add-ons, weekly billing, and price differences between the web and the app stores. An app with a cheap subscription but expensive tokens won’t score well on value if typical use costs much more.
Privacy & safety (20%)
We read each app’s privacy policy and terms, looking for whether chats are used to train AI, how long data is kept, whether you can delete your account, and where the company is based. We check for data breaches, regulatory action and independent assessments such as Mozilla’s Privacy Not Included reviews. We also look at age requirements and how they’re enforced. Our guide to whether AI boyfriends are safe explains why these factors matter.
Ease of use (10%)
How quickly can you get started? Is there an iOS or Android app, or is it web-only? Are there intrusive ads, confusing paywalls or long queues? Small frustrations add up when you use an app every day.
How we verify facts and prices
AI companion apps change prices, plans and features often, so we:
- Check official sources first: each app’s pricing or checkout page, its app-store listings, and its privacy policy and terms.
- Cross-check with independent sources, such as reputable reviews, news coverage and regulatory decisions, especially for incidents like breaches or fines.
- Note uncertainty. When sources disagree, or a figure can’t be confirmed, we show a range or say “reportedly” rather than presenting a guess as fact.
- Record a verification date for each app’s facts, so we know when they’re due for another check.
Prices can vary by country, by platform and by promotion. Always confirm the final price on the checkout page before you pay. Our guide to how much an AI boyfriend costs explains the most common hidden costs.
How often we update
We re-check prices and key facts regularly, and we update a page sooner when an app announces a price change, adds or removes a major feature, changes its content policy, or is involved in a privacy incident. Every article shows the date it was last updated. If a change affects an app’s score, we update the score and the rankings that use it.
Affiliate independence
Some apps pay us a commission when readers sign up through our links. Commissions have no influence on scores or rankings:
- Every app is scored with the same criteria and weights, whether or not it has an affiliate program.
- Apps that don’t pay us, such as Kindroid, Character AI, Replika and SpicyChat, are reviewed in full and can, and do, rank above apps that do.
- We point readers to affiliate apps only where they’re genuinely a better fit for a specific need.
- We don’t accept payment for placement, reviews or higher scores.
Read our full affiliate disclosure for details, or learn more about us.
What our scores don’t measure
A score is a summary, not a verdict for everyone. If you care most about one thing, like free access, images, or a specific kind of character, read the relevant sections of each review rather than relying on the overall number. Our ranking of the best AI boyfriend apps includes “best for” picks for exactly that reason.