Review · Updated October 2026

Anima AI boyfriend review: a cheap companion app, but is it any good?

Short answer: Anima AI is a simple, very cheap companion app, and its developer markets a boyfriend version. But the free plan is friendship-only, romance needs premium, the AI is basic and memory is limited. It's fine as a budget starter; for a boyfriend who feels real, Nomi AI is worth the extra money.

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Anima AI is one of the cheapest companion apps on iOS and Android, and its developer markets a dedicated Anima AI boyfriend version. If you’re curious whether it’s worth downloading, this review covers what the Anima AI boyfriend app actually does, what’s free, what it costs and how it compares.

The short answer: Anima is simple, cheap and easy to start with, but the AI is basic, memory is limited, and romance is locked behind premium. It’s a reasonable budget starter, not a standout boyfriend.

Our verdict

Anima AI

Best for: Budget mobile option

6.3/10

A simple, very cheap companion app with a boyfriend version, but romance is paid-only, the AI is basic and memory is limited.

Price
From $9.99/mo
Free plan
Friend mode only
Platforms
Web, iOS, Android
Boyfriend mode
Yes. Apperry markets boyfriend variants of the app; romantic partner mode on premium.
Voice calls
Unclear
Image generation
Unclear
Custom characters
Yes
Adult content
Filtered
Minimum age
18+

What we like

  • Very cheap
  • Simple mobile app
  • Romance and roleplay modes
  • Avatar customization

Watch out for

  • Romance locked behind paywall
  • Basic AI quality
  • One companion at a time
  • Limited media features
Visit Anima AI Facts checked Oct 2026

What is Anima AI?

Anima AI is a companion chat app from Apperry Ltd. It runs on iOS, Android and the web. Like Replika, it gives you one companion at a time who’s designed to be a friend, partner or roleplay companion depending on the mode you choose.

Apperry markets boyfriend variants of the app, so you’ll often see it listed in app stores under boyfriend-focused names. Underneath, it’s the same Anima experience: a customizable avatar, text chat and relationship modes.

Anima’s appeal is mostly its price. It’s one of the cheapest paid companion apps around, especially on the annual plan.

Creating your boyfriend

Setting up an Anima AI boyfriend is straightforward:

  1. Download the app (or a boyfriend-branded version from Apperry).
  2. Customize his avatar and name.
  3. Chat as friends on the free plan, or upgrade to premium to set a romantic partner relationship.

That’s about it. There’s no detailed backstory editor like Kindroid, and no photo-realistic visual builder like DreamBF or Candy AI. And because you can only have one companion at a time, you can’t keep several characters on the go.

Finding the right app in the store

Because Apperry publishes boyfriend-branded variants, searching “Anima AI boyfriend” can bring up several similar-looking listings, along with unrelated apps using similar names. Before you download, check the listing’s developer name says Apperry Ltd, and look at the number of ratings and recent reviews. If a listing has a different developer, few reviews or asks for unusual permissions, skip it.

Anima’s website is listed as myanima.ai. Be wary of other sites offering “Anima premium” downloads or discount codes, and only pay through the app store or the official site.

Chat quality & memory

Anima’s conversations are friendly and easy, but reviewers describe the AI quality as basic. Replies can feel generic compared with leading apps, and personality depth is limited.

Memory is basic too. Anima isn’t built around remembering your life in detail. He’ll follow a conversation, but details from previous weeks are unlikely to stick. If memory is what you care about most, read can AI boyfriends remember you?, where Nomi AI and Kindroid lead.

Content is filtered. Romance and roleplay are available on premium, but Anima isn’t designed for 18+ chat. For adult-oriented apps, see NSFW AI boyfriend apps.

Voice, photos and video

We couldn’t verify voice messages, voice calls or image generation on Anima, and its media features are generally described as limited. Think of it as a text companion with an avatar.

If you want to hear his voice, see our guide to AI boyfriends with voice calls. Replika, for example, offers voice calls and a 3D avatar with AR, and Nomi offers voice calls and selfies.

Pricing

Anima’s pricing is simple and low.

PlanMonthlyAnnualNotes
Free$0—Free chat limited to friendship level; romance and roleplay need premium.
Premium (monthly)$9.99/mo—
Premium (annual)about $3.33/mo—Per one comparison site

Prices in USD, checked October 2026. Apps change pricing often — confirm on the checkout page.

At $9.99 a month, premium is already cheaper than most companion apps. The annual price reported by one comparison site, about $3.33 a month, would make it one of the cheapest paid AI boyfriend options anywhere, though we couldn’t confirm that figure directly. Check the price in the app before you subscribe, since app-store pricing can vary by country.

Is Anima premium worth it?

If you want an Anima AI boyfriend, premium is required, because romance isn’t available on the free plan. At its price, it’s a low-risk way to try a romantic AI companion. Just go in with realistic expectations: you’re paying for a basic AI with a boyfriend mode, not a top-tier companion. For comparisons across apps, see how much does an AI boyfriend cost?

Getting the most out of Anima

  • Try the free friendship mode for a few days before paying, so you know whether you like his tone.
  • Tell him the important things more than once. Because memory is basic, repeating key details (your name, your job, people in your life) helps him stay on track.
  • Pick annual billing only once you’re sure. It’s the cheapest option, but it’s a year-long commitment.

Is Anima AI free?

Yes, but only as a friend. The free plan lets you chat at a friendship level. Romance and roleplay need premium.

So you can use the free version to check whether you like the app’s style and avatar, but you can’t try the boyfriend experience itself for free. If you want a free option with romance included, our list of free AI boyfriend apps has better choices.

Is Anima AI safe?

Privacy

We found no reports of a data breach at Anima. Parent-safety websites have flagged it for mature themes and data concerns. We didn’t verify Anima’s full data policy, so treat everything you type as stored data.

Age

Anima is 18+. Its romance and roleplay modes make it unsuitable for children, and the parent-safety warnings are worth taking seriously if you’re a parent. See are AI boyfriend apps 18+?

Using Anima safely

Anima AI vs Replika

Anima is often compared with Replika, because they work in a similar way: one companion, friendship for free, romance on a paid plan.

  • Price: Anima is cheaper.
  • Features: Replika has much more, including a 3D avatar, AR mode, voice calls and video-call features.
  • Polish: Replika’s apps are more polished; Anima’s AI is more basic.
  • Memory: both are moderate to basic.
AppScoreBest forPriceVoice callsImages18+Link
Anima AI6.3/10Budget mobile optionFrom $9.99/mo——FilteredVisit
Replika7.4/10Emotional support & beginnersFrom $69.99/yr✓—FilteredVisit
Nomi AI9.1/10Long-term relationship & memoryFrom $8.33/mo (annual)✓✓18+ allowedVisit

If you’re on a tight budget, Anima is the cheaper way in. If you want the more complete experience of this style of app, Replika is better. If you want the best AI boyfriend overall, Nomi beats both on memory.

Is Anima AI good as an AI boyfriend?

What you want How Anima does
A boyfriend mode Yes, on premium; boyfriend versions marketed
He remembers you Basic
You can hear him Unverified
You can see him Avatar only; image generation unverified
Spicy chat Filtered
Price Very cheap

In short, Anima covers the basics of an AI boyfriend at a very low price. What it doesn’t do is make him feel like a distinct, memorable person, and that’s the part most people end up caring about after the first few weeks. If you find yourself repeating things he should already know, that’s the sign to try an app built around memory.

Who should use it

  • You want the cheapest way to try a romantic AI companion.
  • You prefer a simple app with one companion.
  • You’re happy with text chat and a basic avatar.

Who should skip it

  • You want a boyfriend with strong memory and personality depth.
  • You want voice calls, photos or video.
  • You want romance for free.
  • You want 18+ chat.

Anima AI alternatives for an AI boyfriend

If Anima feels too basic, these apps are worth the step up.

Best upgrade from Anima

Nomi AI

The AI boyfriend that actually remembers you

9.1/10
Price
From $8.33/mo (annual)
Free plan
Yes, limited daily messages
Platforms
Web, iOS, Android
Best for
Long-term relationship & memory

Nomi is what Anima would be with a much better brain. Its long-term memory is the best in the category, conversations feel more personal, and romantic relationships are fully supported.

It adds voice calls and selfies, and the annual plan works out to roughly $8 a month, more than Anima but excellent value. Read our Nomi AI review.

What we like

  • Excellent memory
  • Group chats with multiple Nomis
  • Voice calls and selfies

Watch out for

  • Free tier is very limited
  • Images less polished than image-first apps
  • Uncensored roleplay may concern some users

Best for designing his look

DreamBF

Made for boyfriends: design his face, body and style

7.6/10
Price
From $12.99/mo
Free plan
Yes, daily tokens
Platforms
Web
Best for
Designing his look

Anima gives you a basic avatar. DreamBF is built only for AI boyfriends and lets you design his face, body, outfit and personality, with voice messages and images.

It’s newer, with few independent reviews and less transparent pricing, so start on the free daily tokens. Read our DreamBF review.

What we like

  • Built specifically for AI boyfriends
  • Detailed visual builder
  • Voice messages and NSFW images

Watch out for

  • Web only, no apps
  • Pricing not transparent
  • Voice calls drain tokens quickly

Best for photos and voice

Candy AI

Photo-real boyfriends with images, voice and 18+ chat

8.7/10
Price
From $12.99/mo
Free plan
Preview only
Platforms
Web
Best for
Visual + spicy chat

If you want your boyfriend to look real and talk back, Candy AI offers a polished builder with a male option, strong image generation, voice messages and unfiltered 18+ chat.

Its annual plan is cheap, but images and voice use tokens. Read our Candy AI review.

What we like

  • Polished builder with male companion option
  • Strong image generation
  • Voice messages (calls reported)

Watch out for

  • Token system makes real costs much higher than the sticker price
  • Male character roster much smaller than female
  • Web only, no native apps

Want more ideas? See our guide to the best virtual boyfriend apps or the full best AI boyfriend apps ranking.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an Anima AI boyfriend app?

Yes. Anima's developer, Apperry Ltd, markets boyfriend versions of the app, and premium unlocks a romantic partner mode. You can customize his avatar and chat by text. The core app, AI quality and pricing are the same as regular Anima.

Is Anima AI free?

Partly. You can chat with Anima for free, but only at a friendship level. Romance and roleplay, which is what most people want from an AI boyfriend, need a premium subscription. Premium is listed at $9.99 a month, and one comparison site reports annual pricing of about $3.33 a month.

Is Anima AI safe?

We found no reports of a data breach at Anima. Parent-safety websites have flagged it for mature themes and data concerns, so it isn't suitable for children. Adults should use a separate email and avoid sharing identifying details, as with any companion app.

Is Anima AI better than Replika?

Anima is cheaper and simpler, and the two work in a similar way: one companion, friendship for free and romance on a paid plan. Replika is more polished, with a 3D avatar, AR, voice calls and video-call features. If budget is the deciding factor, Anima wins; for features, Replika does.

Does Anima AI remember you?

Only to a basic level. Anima isn't a memory-focused app, so don't expect him to recall details from weeks ago. If memory is important to you, Nomi AI and Kindroid have much stronger long-term memory.