Why is everything priced in USD?
Every major AI companion platform is based offshore, mostly in the US or Europe. None of them offer AUD billing. When you subscribe, your bank converts the USD charge at whatever the current exchange rate is, then adds a foreign transaction fee on top — usually 1.5 to 3% depending on your card.
I've been tracking AUD-equivalent pricing since March 2026. The dollar has moved around a bit. The AU$ figures in this guide use ~AU$1.55 per USD, which was the approximate rate in April 2026. If the rate changes, your costs change. The USD price is what the platform actually charges.
One practical tip: some Australians use a Wise or Up card for subscriptions like this. Zero foreign transaction fee means you're only paying the mid-market exchange rate, which is meaningfully cheaper than a standard bank credit card over time.
Full pricing comparison: all 13 platforms
Prices are monthly USD unless noted. AUD estimates at AU$1.55 per USD. Verify on each platform before subscribing.
| Platform | Plan | USD/mo | ~AUD/mo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOI | Basic | ~$9.99 | ~AU$15 | Our top pick |
| Premium | ~$19.99 | ~AU$31 | ||
| Ultimate | ~$29.99 | ~AU$47 | ||
| Secrets.ai | Basic | ~$12.99 | ~AU$20 | Includes voice |
| Premium | ~$24.99 | ~AU$39 | ||
| Candy.ai | Basic (monthly) | ~$12.99 | ~AU$20 | |
| Premium | ~$24.99 | ~AU$39 | ||
| Basic (annual) | ~$7.99 | ~AU$12 | Best annual deal | |
| Promptchan | Free | $0 | AU$0 | Limited credits/day |
| Paid | ~$9.99 | ~AU$15 | Image gen only | |
| Xotic AI | Basic | ~$11.99 | ~AU$18 | |
| Premium | ~$19.99 | ~AU$31 | ||
| DarLink AI | Basic | ~$7.99 | ~AU$12 | Cheapest option |
| Premium | ~$14.99 | ~AU$23 | ||
| Luvr.AI | Free | $0 | AU$0 | Limited msgs |
| Paid | ~$14.99 | ~AU$23 | Includes voice + images | |
| GoLove AI | Free | $0 | AU$0 | Limited features |
| PRO | ~$9.99 | ~AU$15 | Includes live video | |
| Kupid.AI | Basic | ~$12.99 | ~AU$20 | |
| Swipey AI | Premium | ~$14.99 | ~AU$23 | Voice included |
| GirlfriendGPT | Premium | $15.00 | ~AU$23 | 5,000 msgs/mo |
| Deluxe | $35.00 | ~AU$54 | 20,000 msgs/mo | |
| Elite | $50.00 | ~AU$77 | Unlimited | |
| OurDream.ai | Standard | ~$9.99 | ~AU$15.50 | Unlimited chat + images + video |
| Lovescape | Premium | ~$19.99 | ~AU$31 | 600 chips/mo. Annual cuts to ~AU$9.25/mo |
| Creative PRO | ~$98 | ~AU$152 | 3,000 chips/mo. Annual cuts to ~AU$46.50/mo |
What does each tier actually get you?
The table above shows the numbers. Here's what the tiers mean in practice for the platforms most Australians are likely to consider:
JOI (our #1 pick)
Basic at ~AU$15/month gets you full access. JOI's pricing is the most straightforward on this list — the entry plan isn't a teaser that pushes you toward the next tier. Most users won't need anything beyond Basic. Premium and Ultimate unlock higher-resolution image outputs and more concurrent characters, but if chat is your primary use case, Basic covers it.
Candy.ai
Basic at ~AU$20/month includes text chat, limited image generation credits, and access to the full character library. The credit system is where it gets fiddly — image requests burn through credits faster than you'd expect if you use the feature regularly. Premium at ~AU$39/month gives you more credits and unlocks explicit content without restrictions. The annual Basic plan at ~AU$12/month is genuinely good value if you're committed. Pay a year upfront, save ~40% versus monthly.
OurDream.ai
One flat rate, everything included. ~AU$15.50/month gets you unlimited chat, unlimited image generation, and video generation. No credit system, no per-image charges, no tier that locks features behind a higher plan. For users who use image gen heavily, this is the most cost-effective option on the list by a wide margin.
GirlfriendGPT
The most complex pricing structure here. Premium at ~AU$23/month sounds reasonable until you hit the 5,000-message monthly cap. That sounds like a lot, but extended roleplay sessions eat through it. Most regular users end up on Deluxe (~AU$54/month) to avoid running out. Elite at ~AU$77/month is genuinely expensive for what it is. Annual billing cuts each tier by around 34%, bringing Premium to ~AU$15/month — at that price it becomes much more competitive.
Secrets.ai
Basic at ~AU$20/month is solid. It includes voice chat, which some platforms charge extra for or lock to higher tiers. If voice is important to you, Secrets.ai Basic is better value than it first appears. Premium at ~AU$39/month unlocks higher-quality voice and additional content.
Free tiers: which ones are actually usable?
Several platforms offer free access. Here's the honest breakdown:
Worth trying for free
- GoLove AI — free tier is functional, no age gate, live video works
- Promptchan — free daily image credits genuinely let you evaluate the quality
- Luvr.AI — free messages let you test conversation quality before committing
Free tier is basically a demo
- GirlfriendGPT — 15-20 messages, no NSFW, no images. You'll hit the wall fast
- Candy.ai — free access is very restricted, mostly shows you the interface
- JOI — occasional free trials but standard entry is paid
Annual plans: worth it or not?
Short answer: yes, if you're going to use the platform for more than two or three months.
Candy.ai's annual plan is the most dramatic example. Monthly Basic is ~AU$20/month. Annual Basic works out to ~AU$12/month. Over 12 months that's AU$240 versus AU$144. If you know you'll use it, the annual saving is real money.
GirlfriendGPT's annual discount brings Premium from ~AU$23/month down to ~AU$15/month, which puts it in the same range as JOI Basic and OurDream.ai. At that price it's a very different value proposition.
The risk with annual billing is getting locked in. Most platforms don't offer refunds for unused subscription periods. Try monthly for a month first, then switch to annual if you're happy. Don't pay a year upfront to a platform you haven't tested.
What your bank actually charges
The prices in the table above are what the platform charges. What your bank charges is a bit higher.
Standard bank credit cards add a foreign transaction fee of 1.5 to 3% on top of their exchange rate. That exchange rate is also typically a few percent worse than the mid-market rate. On a AU$20/month subscription, this is small — maybe AU$0.50 to AU$1.00 extra per month. Over a year it adds up to maybe AU$12.
If you subscribe to multiple platforms or pay for higher tiers, it's worth using a card without foreign transaction fees. Wise (formerly TransferWise) and Up Bank both offer this. The card is free and the savings are real on anything you pay in USD regularly.
Best value by use case
| If you want... | Best option | ~AUD/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price, paid | DarLink AI | ~AU$12 |
| Best overall for AU | JOI | ~AU$15 |
| Unlimited image + video gen | OurDream.ai | ~AU$15.50 |
| Biggest character library | GirlfriendGPT (annual) | ~AU$15 |
| Voice chat included | Secrets.ai | ~AU$20 |
| Most recognisable brand | Candy.ai (annual) | ~AU$12 |
| Free, no age gate | GoLove AI | AU$0 |
| Image generation only | Promptchan | ~AU$15 |
Things to know before you subscribe
- All prices are in USD. The AUD figures here are estimates. Your bank applies its own rate plus a fee. Use a no-FX-fee card if you subscribe to multiple platforms.
- Pricing changes. These figures were accurate in April 2026. Check the platform directly before committing. Candy.ai in particular runs frequent promotional pricing.
- Try monthly before annual. Annual plans save real money but lock you in. One month of testing is cheap insurance against a platform you end up not using.
- Watch for credit systems. Some platforms (Candy.ai, Promptchan) use a credit model for images. Credits run out faster than you'd expect. Know what you're getting before you upgrade.
- Message caps matter on GirlfriendGPT. The Premium plan's 5,000-message limit sounds generous but regular users hit it. Budget for Deluxe if you plan to use it daily.
- OurDream.ai is genuinely flat-rate. No credits, no message caps, no additional charges. Unusual in this category and worth knowing if you use features heavily.
Avoiding billing surprises
A few platforms in this category have documented billing issues. GirlfriendGPT's Trustpilot rating of 2.9/5 includes complaints about double charges and unresponsive support. Kupid.AI uses a creator revenue-share model that some users find confusing. Here's what I'd recommend regardless of which platform you use:
- Use a payment method where disputes are easy — a credit card rather than a debit card
- Set a calendar reminder for your billing date and check the first two statements
- Screenshot the pricing page before you subscribe, in case rates change
- Cancel before the renewal date if you're not continuing — most platforms don't give partial refunds
Frequently asked questions
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