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Janitor AI Alternatives: Where to Go When It's Down or Too Fiddly
Last checked: October 25, 2026. Features from each service's own documentation where available; figures we couldn't confirm are marked.
Short answer: for the closest like-for-like swap, try SpicyChat. If you want to keep bringing your own model, Chub AI or the free, self-hosted SillyTavern. If you're tired of setup altogether and want one companion with memory, a dedicated app such as Candy AI or Kindroid is simpler.
Why People Leave Janitor AI
- The proxy step. Janitor's free house model, JLLM, works out of the box, but many users connect an outside model through a "proxy" using an API key, often via OpenRouter. Free models there come and go and have daily limits.
- Memory. Reviewers put the free model's context at roughly 9,000 tokens, which fades over long roleplays. We couldn't confirm that figure on Janitor's own pages.
- Outages. "Janitor AI down" is a common search. Busy hours bring queues and errors.
The Alternatives Compared
| Service | Setup | Best for | Free tier | Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpicyChat | None | Closest Janitor-style character library | Yes, with ads and short memory | Web (reported) |
| Chub AI | Optional own API key | Character cards and model choice | Library free; limited hosted chat | Web |
| SillyTavern | Install it yourself | Full control, any model | Free, open source | Desktop; Android via workarounds |
| CrushOn.AI | None | Unfiltered character chat | Daily message limit | Reported iOS and Android apps |
| Candy AI | None | One companion, images and voice | About 5 messages | Web app |
| Kindroid | None | Deep memory and voice calls | One-off 50-message preview | iOS and Android |
Free-tier details for SpicyChat, Chub AI and CrushOn.AI come from independent reviews in autumn 2026 and change often. Candy AI and Kindroid figures are from their own pages; see our reviews.
Picks by What You Miss
"I just want Janitor without the hassle": SpicyChat
A big library of community characters with no proxy step. The trade-off reviewers mention is shorter memory on the free tier.
"I want to keep my own model": Chub AI or SillyTavern
Chub AI hosts character cards and lets you plug in your own API key. SillyTavern is free, open-source software you run yourself; it works with many model providers or local models, and nothing is stored on someone else's server unless you choose a cloud model.
"I want a companion who remembers me": Kindroid or Candy AI
Kindroid is built around long memory, voice and video calls, from $13.99 a month on the web. Candy AI is the cheapest yearly plan we've found at $47.88, with unlimited chat. Read our Kindroid review and Candy AI review, or the head-to-head Candy AI vs Kindroid.
Before You Move
- Export your characters. Many roleplay tools use shareable character cards (PNG or JSON). Save yours before switching.
- Don't reuse API keys carelessly. A key pasted into a website can be used to run up charges. Use a key with a spending limit.
- Check the age gate. Adult roleplay services should ask you to confirm you're 18+. Be wary of any that don't.
Questions
Is Janitor AI down?
Outages are usually short. Check Janitor's official social channels rather than third-party "status" sites asking you to log in.
What's the best free Janitor AI alternative?
SpicyChat for a similar experience; SillyTavern if you're comfortable installing software.
Is there a Janitor AI alternative with memory?
Kindroid and Nomi are built around memory. See Nomi vs Kindroid and Character AI alternatives.