Last updated: Jan 30, 2026 · Reading time: ~10 minutes
If you’ve opened Character.AI recently and thought, “Wait… there’s a buy button for Charms now?” you’re not alone.
This post breaks down what changed, why the backlash is happening, what you can do if you still want to use C.ai, and a practical alternative if you want less friction.
TL;DR (30-second summary)
- What changed: Charms were introduced as an earnable in-app currency through check-ins and quests, then a purchase option started rolling out.
- Why people are upset: Many users expected more ways to earn Charms, not a direct “buy Charms” path.
- If you want less friction: Storychat is built for long roleplay continuity + discovery + story building (and you can start with 500 SP).
Try Storychat with a free head start:
Use SP on premium features while you test whether Storychat fits your roleplay style.
What are “Charms” on Character.AI?
Charms are an in-app currency that Character.AI introduced to let users unlock certain premium-style perks without committing to a subscription.
In the original pitch, Charms were mostly positioned as something you earn from normal use (daily check-ins, starter quests, weekly quests), then spend on perks like:
- Ad-free passes (remove ads for a limited time)
- Boosts (reduce waiting/slow mode friction)
- Extra image generations (or other premium-style unlocks)
That earn-and-spend idea was something a lot of users actually liked.
What changed in the latest update (and why people call it “greedy”)
The backlash isn’t really about Charms existing.
It’s about the feeling that C.ai moved from:
- “Earn Charms via quests” → “Spend them on small perks”
to:
- “Earn some Charms” + “Or just buy them”
In practice, many users read this as:
- “Instead of improving quests/rewards, they added a store.”
- “Every good feature eventually becomes a paywall.”
- “This is the start of microtransactions everywhere.”
Why the community reaction is so intense
1) It hits a raw nerve: “good idea, then monetized harder”
C.ai users have a long memory (ironically). Many feel that whenever something feels like a win, the next step is monetization instead of product improvement.
2) It changes the vibe of roleplay
Roleplay works when you forget you’re inside a product. “Currency,” “passes,” and “store buttons” pull you back into “I’m being monetized.”
3) It creates uncertainty: what’s next?
Once a platform introduces microcurrency purchases, users start worrying about:
- More things locked behind Charms
- Reduced free earning rate over time
- More ads/pain points that Charms conveniently remove
If you want to keep using Character.AI: what you can do (practical checklist)
If you’re not ready to leave, here’s a low-drama way to keep control:
Step 1) Decide what you actually use Charms for
- If you only care about ad-free moments, focus on passes and ignore everything else.
- If you only care about images, set a monthly limit and don’t chase “just one more bundle.”
Step 2) Treat “buy Charms” like convenience, not progression
The moment you feel forced to buy Charms to keep enjoying the app, that’s your signal the product experience changed.
Step 3) Back up what matters (your characters and your best arcs)
If your roleplay stories matter to you, copy the important parts into a safe place:
- Character definition / persona
- Key relationship facts
- The “canon” summary of your story arc
This takes 10 minutes and prevents the worst-case scenario: losing a story you care about overnight.
The best “less friction” alternative: Storychat (and why it feels different)
Most alternatives compete on “more bots” or “more chaos.”
Storychat competes on something C.ai users constantly ask for:
consistent long roleplay + creator control + discovery + story building.
In plain terms:
- You’re not just chatting. You’re building characters and story arcs.
- You’re not just consuming. You can publish and get discovered.
- Your best chats don’t die in a private thread. They can become shareable stories.
Storychat vs Character.AI (2026): Table + star ratings
| Category | Character.AI | Storychat | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friction-free roleplay flow | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | If monetization UI interrupts the vibe, immersion dies. |
| Long-story continuity | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | The #1 reason people switch: voice drift and plot resets. |
| Creator control (rules/persona depth) | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | Better definitions = more consistent character behavior. |
| Discovery (finding great characters) | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | A real feed/discovery loop helps users and creators win. |
| Story building (save, organize, share) | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | Turns roleplay into content you can keep and publish. |
| Value without “buy currency” pressure | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | If you feel pushed to buy bundles, trust drops fast. |
Want to try the “less friction” option first?
Start on Storychat + Claim 500 SP (Code: blog)
You’ll get 500 SP after signing up through the link.
FAQ
Is buying Charms “confirmed”?
Many users have reported seeing Charms purchase options rolling out on mobile. Availability can vary by device and region.
Are Charms always bad?
Not necessarily. Some users like flexible, optional perks. The backlash is about trust and the fear that more core experiences will be gated over time.
If I’m leaving, what should I do first?
Export your “canon”: character definition, rules, and a short story summary. Then rebuild once on a platform designed for long continuity.
Final take
If you still enjoy Character.AI and you’re fine with Charms being optional, you can stay and ignore the store.
But if you’re tired of new friction every time you open the app, it’s smart to have a stable home for long stories.
