Rabu AI research · 2026 edition

AI companion statistics.
What the research says.

How many people use AI for friendship, romance and support, why they use it, and how big the app market has become. Every number links to its source.

27 public sources
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Data illustration: 4 percent of U.S. adults used a chatbot for companionship, and 10 percent of U.S. adult citizens have an ongoing friendship with an AI chatbot
Two U.S. surveys from 2026.
The short answer

AI companion statistics depend on the question. In a February 2026 Pew survey, 4% of U.S. adults said they used chatbots for companionship. In a June 2026 YouGov poll, 10% said they had an ongoing friendship with an AI chatbot. Among U.S. teens, 72% have tried an AI companion. This report brings the main public studies together in one place.

4%of U.S. adults used a chatbot for companionship (Pew, February 2026) 72%of U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 have tried an AI companion (Common Sense Media, 2025) 489AI companion apps found in the U.S. app stores (October 2025) $150 millionspent in AI companion apps in one quarter (Sensor Tower, Q1 2026)
01 / Definitions

What counts as an AI companion?

Researchers use the term in four main ways.

A general chatbot

Help, advice and conversation

General AI assistants that people use for advice, support or company.

A dedicated companion app

Someone to come back to

Apps built around named characters with memory, roleplay, friendship or romance.

A relationship

Friendship and attachment

How people describe their bond with an AI.

A market

Downloads and spending

What people download and spend in the Apple and Google app stores.

See how each study defines it: Pew adult survey, Elon companion report and app store study.

02 / How many people

How many people use AI for companionship?

The answer depends on how a survey asks the question. Here is what the main U.S. studies found.

Pew · U.S. adults4%

Used a chatbot for companionship. February 2026, 5,119 adults.

Read Pew's report
YouGov · U.S. adult citizens10%

Have an ongoing friendship with an AI chatbot. June 2026, 1,126 adults.

Read YouGov's results

In the same Pew survey, 49% of U.S. adults had ever used an AI chatbot. 24% used one every day.

Figure 01 · friendship, romance and secrets

1 in 10 U.S. adults has an ongoing AI friendship

Share of U.S. adult citizens who have done each of these with an AI chatbot.

  1. Ever used AI chatbot for romantic or sexual companionship 5%
  2. Have an ongoing personal friendship with AI chatbot 10%
  3. Confided problem or secret only to AI chatbot 13%

YouGov, June 26 to 29, 2026. About 1,125 U.S. adult citizens per question.

Source YouGov. “YouGov Survey: Artificial Intelligence (topline, June 26 to 29, 2026).” June 2026. Topline Q8A p.33; Topline Q8C p.35; Topline Q8D p.36. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
1 in 10 U.S. adults has an ongoing AI friendship. YouGov, June 26 to 29, 2026. About 1,125 U.S. adult citizens per question.
MeasureValueSurvey base
Ever used AI chatbot for romantic or sexual companionship5%1,125
Have an ongoing personal friendship with AI chatbot10%1,126
Confided problem or secret only to AI chatbot13%1,126

Many more people are open to it. Another 8% would consider romantic or sexual companionship with a chatbot. 13% would consider an ongoing friendship, and 16% would consider confiding a secret. Younger adults reported every one of these more often.

Figure 02 · by age

Adults under 30 report about twice the rate

All U.S. adult citizens compared with adults aged 18 to 29.

  1. Romantic or sexual companionship All adult citizens: 5% Ages 18 to 29: 10%
  2. Ongoing AI friendship All adult citizens: 10% Ages 18 to 29: 18%
  3. Confided something only to AI All adult citizens: 13% Ages 18 to 29: 23%
  4. Hid how much they use AI All adult citizens: 9% Ages 18 to 29: 18%

YouGov, June 26 to 29, 2026. About 1,125 adults per question, including 290 aged 18 to 29. Hiding AI use refers to any AI tool.

Source YouGov. “YouGov Survey: Artificial Intelligence (topline, June 26 to 29, 2026).” June 2026. Topline Q8A p.33; Topline Q8C p.35; Topline Q8D p.36; Topline Q9A p.37. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
Adults under 30 report about twice the rate. YouGov, June 26 to 29, 2026. About 1,125 adults per question, including 290 aged 18 to 29. Hiding AI use refers to any AI tool.
MeasureValueSurvey base
All adults: romantic or sexual companionship5%1,125
Ages 18 to 29: romantic or sexual companionship10%290
All adults: ongoing AI friendship10%1,126
Ages 18 to 29: ongoing AI friendship18%290
All adults: confided something only to AI13%1,126
Ages 18 to 29: confided something only to AI23%290
All adults: hid how much they use AI9%1,125
Ages 18 to 29: hid how much they use AI18%290

Menlo Ventures and Morning Consult surveyed 5,067 U.S. adults in July 2026. 16% had used AI to make new virtual connections in the past six months. Of that group, 38% talked with an AI companion or chatbot. Menlo puts that at about 6% of all U.S. adults. Read Menlo's report

A University of Iowa survey in April 2026 asked 759 adults who use AI on a typical day what they use it for. 12% said companionship or conversation. Among AI users aged 18 to 29, the share was 16%. Read the Iowa survey

Figure 03 · what people use chatbots for

Companionship is one of the less common uses

Share of U.S. adults who use chatbots for each purpose.

  1. Uses chatbots for fun or entertainment 25%
  2. Uses chatbots to create/edit images or video 24%
  3. Uses chatbots for emotional support or advice 10%
  4. Uses chatbots for companionship 4%

Pew Research Center, February 17 to 23, 2026. 5,119 U.S. adults.

Source Pew Research Center. “Americans' Views on AI Chatbots, Smart Devices and AI's Impact.” June 17, 2026. Main report; chart 303579 (daily from chart 303596). Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
Companionship is one of the less common uses. Pew Research Center, February 17 to 23, 2026. 5,119 U.S. adults.
MeasureValueSurvey base
Uses chatbots for fun or entertainment25%5,119
Uses chatbots to create/edit images or video24%5,119
Uses chatbots for emotional support or advice10%5,119
Uses chatbots for companionship4%5,119
Figure 04 · men and women

Men and women use chatbots for companionship at the same rate

Share of U.S. adult men and women who use chatbots for companionship and for emotional support or advice.

  1. Companionship Men: 4% Women: 4%
  2. Emotional support or advice Men: 8% Women: 11%

Pew Research Center, February 17 to 23, 2026. 5,119 U.S. adults.

Source Pew Research Center. “The Gender Gap in AI.” October 16, 2026. Pew The Gender Gap in AI; Reasons for using chatbots. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
Men and women use chatbots for companionship at the same rate. Pew Research Center, February 17 to 23, 2026. 5,119 U.S. adults.
MeasureValueSurvey base
Men who ever use chatbots for companionship4%gender subgroup n not in article
Women who ever use chatbots for companionship4%gender subgroup n not in article
Men who use chatbots for emotional support or advice8%gender subgroup n not in article
Women who use chatbots for emotional support or advice11%gender subgroup n not in article

AI romantic partners

Two studies from the Wheatley Institute at Brigham Young University asked about AI built to act as a romantic partner. In a 2025 survey of 2,969 U.S. adults, 19% had chatted with one. Among young adults, the share was 31% of men and 23% of women. Read Counterfeit Connections

The second study surveyed 2,431 U.S. adults aged 18 to 30 who were dating, engaged or married. 15% said they regularly interact with an AI romantic partner. Of those regular users, 30% said their partner does not know. 69% of users said it was important that their partner not learn how much they use it. Read Secret Soulmates

03 / Why people use AI

Why do people talk to AI?

Most people start for fun. Many also use AI for advice, to talk through feelings or for company.

Figure 05 · reasons

Entertainment comes first. Romance is a smaller share.

Why people used AI for social or emotional reasons in the past six months. People could pick more than one reason.

  1. Entertainment/amusement 66%
  2. Advice on personal matters 38%
  3. Discussing feelings 32%
  4. Sharing thoughts/experiences 29%
  5. Companionship when lonely 20%
  6. Roleplaying scenarios 17%
  7. Romantic chat 9%

Elon University and YouGov, May 18 to 22, 2026. 1,000 U.S. adults who use AI for social or emotional reasons.

Source Elon University Imagining the Digital Future Center. “The Rise of AI Companions (survey of May 18 to 22, 2026).” 2026. Report p.7. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
Entertainment comes first. Romance is a smaller share.. Elon University and YouGov, May 18 to 22, 2026. 1,000 U.S. adults who use AI for social or emotional reasons.
MeasureValueSurvey base
Entertainment/amusement66%1,000
Advice on personal matters38%1,000
Discussing feelings32%1,000
Sharing thoughts/experiences29%1,000
Companionship when lonely20%1,000
Roleplaying scenarios17%1,000
Romantic chat9%1,000

To find that group, Elon screened 4,031 U.S. adults. 27% had used AI for at least one personal or social purpose in the past six months. Read the Elon report

Figure 06 · the bond

Many feel helped. Fewer call it a friendship.

How people who use AI socially describe their relationship with it.

  1. Talking to AI helps when stressed or upset 51%
  2. Told AI things they would not tell other people 39%
  3. Feel emotionally connected to at least one AI tool 36%
  4. Consider an AI a friend 31%
  5. Relationship is complicated or hard to call friendship 15%

Elon University and YouGov, May 18 to 22, 2026. 1,000 U.S. adults who use AI for social or emotional reasons.

Source Elon University Imagining the Digital Future Center. “The Rise of AI Companions (survey of May 18 to 22, 2026).” 2026. Report p.10; Report pp.4,10. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
Many feel helped. Fewer call it a friendship.. Elon University and YouGov, May 18 to 22, 2026. 1,000 U.S. adults who use AI for social or emotional reasons.
MeasureValueSurvey base
Talking to AI helps when stressed or upset51%1,000
Told AI things they would not tell other people39%1,000
Feel emotionally connected to at least one AI tool36%1,000
Consider an AI a friend31%1,000
Relationship is complicated or hard to call friendship15%1,000
Figure 07 · people or AI

Most still prefer talking with people

Who people who use AI socially would rather talk with.

  1. Prefer talking with friends and family 59%
  2. Prefer talking with AI 11%

Elon University and YouGov, May 18 to 22, 2026. 1,000 U.S. adults who use AI for social or emotional reasons.

Source Elon University Imagining the Digital Future Center. “The Rise of AI Companions (survey of May 18 to 22, 2026).” 2026. Report p.12. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
Most still prefer talking with people. Elon University and YouGov, May 18 to 22, 2026. 1,000 U.S. adults who use AI for social or emotional reasons.
MeasureValueSurvey base
Prefer talking with friends and family59%1,000
Prefer talking with AI11%1,000

39% of people who use AI socially have told it something they would not tell another person.

Anthropic studied about 4.5 million Claude.ai conversations in June 2025. 2.9% were personal or emotional. Companionship and roleplay made up under 0.5%. Romantic or sexual roleplay made up under 0.1%. Read Anthropic's analysis

Voice, images and video

Menlo found that 19% of U.S. AI users mostly talk to AI by voice. Another 27% switch between voice and typing. In Pew's survey, 24% of adults use chatbots to create or edit images or video. Read Menlo's findings

04 / Around the world

How many people use AI for companionship around the world?

In 2025, Google and Ipsos asked adults in 21 countries the same question. Had they used AI for companionship or support, including mental health support, in the past year?

India had the highest share at 59%. The United States had the lowest at 12%. The average across all 21 countries was 35%. In every country, fewer people used AI for companionship or support than for advice or entertainment.

Figure 08 · 21 countries

Fewer people use AI for companionship than for advice or fun

Share of adults who used AI for each purpose in the past 12 months. Pick a question to update the map and the chart.

Show the share of adults who used AI for
  1. India 59% 70% 71%
  2. Nigeria 55% 80% 73%
  3. United Arab Emirates 50% 67% 75%
  4. South Africa 43% 60% 65%
  5. Brazil 41% 50% 74%
  6. South Korea 40% 68% 60%
  7. Mexico 40% 61% 78%
  8. Singapore 36% 54% 66%
  9. Poland 30% 58% 83%
  10. Australia 30% 48% 58%
  11. Japan 30% 56% 58%
  12. Argentina 30% 53% 67%
  13. Spain 29% 53% 78%
  14. Ireland 29% 50% 63%
  15. Belgium 27% 50% 61%
  16. United Kingdom 27% 45% 59%
  17. Italy 26% 47% 55%
  18. Germany 25% 50% 56%
  19. France 22% 55% 54%
  20. Canada 20% 41% 57%
  21. United States 12% 27% 54%

Average across all 21 countries: companionship or support 35%; advice on a personal or professional problem 56%; entertainment or exploration 66%.

Google and Ipsos, September 22 to October 10, 2025. About 1,000 online adults per country.

Source Ipsos for Google. “Our Life With AI 2025: Survey Topline.” January 2026. Ipsos/Google Our Life With AI 2025 topline Q5_13. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
Google/Ipsos 2025: share of adults in 21 countries who used an AI application in the past 12 months for companionship or support, for advice, and for entertainment or exploration.
Country Companionship or support Advice on a personal or professional problem Entertainment or exploration
India 59% 70% 71%
Nigeria 55% 80% 73%
United Arab Emirates 50% 67% 75%
South Africa 43% 60% 65%
Brazil 41% 50% 74%
South Korea 40% 68% 60%
Mexico 40% 61% 78%
Singapore 36% 54% 66%
Poland 30% 58% 83%
Australia 30% 48% 58%
Japan 30% 56% 58%
Argentina 30% 53% 67%
Spain 29% 53% 78%
Ireland 29% 50% 63%
Belgium 27% 50% 61%
United Kingdom 27% 45% 59%
Italy 26% 47% 55%
Germany 25% 50% 56%
France 22% 55% 54%
Canada 20% 41% 57%
United States 12% 27% 54%
Average across 21 countries 35% 56% 66%

Kantar surveyed more than 10,000 people across ten markets in spring 2025. 54% had used AI for at least one emotional or mental wellbeing purpose. 70% said they prefer emotional support from a person. Read Kantar's study

In Australia, YouGov surveyed 1,013 adults in May 2026. 15% had shared personal thoughts or feelings with a chatbot. 12% had used one for emotional support during a hard time. 11% had told one something they never told anyone else. 8% described a friendship with a chatbot, and 4% described a romantic relationship. 64% said they feel uneasy about people relying too much on AI relationships. Read YouGov Australia

In the United Kingdom, YouGov reported in August 2025 that 14% of adults were familiar with AI companions. 2% were very familiar and 12% were somewhat familiar. Read YouGov UK

05 / Teens

How do teens use AI companions?

Common Sense Media surveyed 1,060 U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 in spring 2025. Most had tried an AI companion.

Figure 09 · 100 U.S. teens

7 in 10 teens have tried an AI companion

How often U.S. teens use AI companions, shown as 100 teens.

  • 13% use AI companions daily
  • 52% use them at least a few times a month
  • 72% have tried them
  • 28% have never used them

Common Sense Media, April to May 2025. 1,060 U.S. teens aged 13 to 17.

Source Common Sense Media. “Talk, Trust, and Trade-Offs: How and Why Teens Use AI Companions.” 2025. Report p.2. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
7 in 10 teens have tried an AI companion. Common Sense Media, April to May 2025. 1,060 U.S. teens aged 13 to 17.
MeasureValueSurvey base
Ever used AI companions72%1,060
Uses AI companions at least a few times a month52%1,060
Uses AI companions daily13%1,060
Figure 10 · what teens use them for

Socializing is the top reason teens use AI companions

Share of U.S. teens who use AI companions for each purpose.

  1. Social interaction or relationships 33%
  2. Conversation or social practice 18%
  3. Emotional or mental health support 12%
  4. Roleplay or imaginative scenarios 12%
  5. As a friend or best friend 9%
  6. Romantic or flirtatious interaction 8%

Common Sense Media, April to May 2025. 1,060 U.S. teens aged 13 to 17.

Source Common Sense Media. “Talk, Trust, and Trade-Offs: How and Why Teens Use AI Companions.” 2025. Report p.3. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
Socializing is the top reason teens use AI companions. Common Sense Media, April to May 2025. 1,060 U.S. teens aged 13 to 17.
MeasureValueSurvey base
Social interaction or relationships33%1,060
Conversation or social practice18%1,060
Emotional or mental health support12%1,060
Roleplay or imaginative scenarios12%1,060
As a friend or best friend9%1,060
Romantic or flirtatious interaction8%1,060

Among the 758 teens who had used companions, 30% use them for entertainment and 28% out of curiosity. 39% have used social skills they practiced with a companion in real life. 80% spend more time with real friends than with AI companions. Across all teens, 31% found AI conversations as satisfying as talking with friends, or more.

Figure 11 · teen users

What teen users have experienced

Share of teen AI companion users who reported each experience.

  1. Ever uncomfortable with companion response 34%
  2. Chose companion over real person for serious discussion 33%
  3. Shared personal/private info with companion 24%

Common Sense Media, April to May 2025. 758 U.S. teens who use AI companions.

Source Common Sense Media. “Talk, Trust, and Trade-Offs: How and Why Teens Use AI Companions.” 2025. Report p.8. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
What teen users have experienced. Common Sense Media, April to May 2025. 758 U.S. teens who use AI companions.
MeasureValueSurvey base
Ever uncomfortable with companion response34%758
Chose companion over real person for serious discussion33%758
Shared personal/private info with companion24%758

In a fall 2025 Pew survey of 1,458 U.S. teens, 16% used chatbots for casual conversation. 12% used them for emotional support or advice. Read Pew's teen report

Young Life's RELATE 2026 study surveyed 7,105 people aged 13 to 24 in 11 countries. 35% said they had an AI companion. Read the RELATE study

06 / The apps

How many AI companion apps are there?

489

AI companion apps found by researchers in the U.S. Apple App Store and Google Play in October 2025.

The researchers searched both stores with three companion terms. 258 Apple listings and 301 Google Play listings qualified. 70 apps were in both stores. Almost all were relationship companions: 248 on Apple and 289 on Google Play. Read the study

Figure 12 · 489 apps, one dot each

Most AI companion apps are in only one store

Each dot is one app.

AI companion app study, U.S. Apple App Store and Google Play, October 2025.

Source Natalie Grace Brigham, Lucy Qin, Tadayoshi Kohno et al. “Examining Risks Through a Characterization of the AI Companion Application Ecosystem (arXiv 2603.13620v2).” 2026. arXiv 2603.13620v2 Abstract/Methodology; arXiv 2603.13620v2 Deduplication. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Source Natalie Grace Brigham et al. “AI companion app-store dataset (Open Science Framework).” 2026. OSF App_Store_results.csv; OSF Play_Store_results.csv. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
Companion apps the study identified, by store. October 2025, U.S. English storefront search.
GroupApps
All distinct apps489
Qualifying Apple listings258
Qualifying Google Play listings301
In both stores70
Apple App Store only188
Google Play only231
Figure 13 · in-app purchases and ads

9 in 10 Google Play listings offer in-app purchases

Google Play listings with in-app purchases or ads, out of 301.

  1. Google Play listings declaring in-app purchases 268
  2. Google Play listings declaring advertising support 183

AI companion app study, Google Play, October 2025.

Source Natalie Grace Brigham et al. “AI companion app-store dataset (Open Science Framework).” 2026. OSF Play_Store_results.csv offersIAP; OSF Play_Store_results.csv adSupported. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
9 in 10 Google Play listings offer in-app purchases. AI companion app study, Google Play, October 2025.
MeasureValueSurvey base
Google Play listings declaring in-app purchases268301
Google Play listings declaring advertising support183301

The study also recorded each listing's age rating. On Apple, 225 of 258 listings were rated 17+. On Google Play, 143 of 301 were rated Mature 17+ and 68 were rated Everyone. See the app store data

Figure 14 · age ratings

Most Apple listings are rated 17+

Store age ratings, from all ages (lightest) to adults only (darkest).

Apple App Store258 listings
Google Play301 listings

AI companion app study, U.S. Apple App Store and Google Play, October 2025.

Source Natalie Grace Brigham et al. “AI companion app-store dataset (Open Science Framework).” 2026. OSF App_Store_results.csv contentRating. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
Most Apple listings are rated 17+. AI companion app study, U.S. Apple App Store and Google Play, October 2025.
Store and ratingListingsOf
Apple App Store: Rated 4+14258
Apple App Store: Rated 9+4258
Apple App Store: Rated 12+15258
Apple App Store: Rated 17+225258
Google Play: Rated Everyone68301
Google Play: Rated Everyone 10+2301
Google Play: Rated Teen85301
Google Play: Rated Mature 17+143301
Google Play: Rated Adults only 18+3301

The researchers also reviewed 30 apps in detail. They found both realistic and anime-style characters, sometimes in the same app. Read the app review

07 / The market

How big is the AI companion app market?

People spend real money in these apps. Here are the latest estimates from app analytics companies.

Appfigures · 2024$55 million

Spent in AI companion apps worldwide in 2024, up 652% from 2023. The apps were downloaded 118 million times.

Read Appfigures' report
Sensor Tower · Q1 2026$150 million

Spent in AI companion apps in the first quarter of 2026. That is more than 12 times the first quarter of 2023.

Read Sensor Tower's report
Figure 15 · spending by report

AI companion app spending, by report

Each bar shows the time period a report covers.

  1. AppfiguresFull year 2024 $55m
  2. Appfigures, reported by TechCrunchFirst half of 2025 $82m
  3. Sensor TowerFirst quarter of 2026 $150m
  4. Appfigures, reported by DecryptFirst half of 2026 $162.8m romantic $164.8m general

Spending in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Source Appfigures. “Rise of AI Apps: Key Trends Shaping 2025 (v2.2).” 2025. Appfigures PDF p.58. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Source TechCrunch. “AI companion apps on track to pull in $120M in 2025.” August 12, 2025. TechCrunch Aug. 12, 2025. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Source Sensor Tower. “State of AI Apps 2026: APAC Edition.” June 11, 2026. Sensor Tower APAC Edition public article, June 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Source Decrypt. “This Is How Much Your Boyfriend Is Spending on AI Girlfriends.” July 13, 2026. Decrypt Jul. 13, 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
AI companion app spending, by report. Spending in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
EstimatePeriodValue
Appfigures: 2024 AI companion mobile consumer spendingFull year 2024$55 million
Appfigures, reported by TechCrunch: H1 2025 mobile consumer spendingFirst half of 2025$82 million
Sensor Tower: Q1 2026 AI companion mobile app revenueFirst quarter of 2026$150 million
Appfigures, reported by Decrypt: NSFW/romantic consumer spending H1 2026First half of 2026$162.8 million
Appfigures, reported by Decrypt: General/PG companion consumer spending H1 2026First half of 2026$164.8 million
Figure 16 · monthly spending in 2024

Monthly spending grew about five times during 2024

Appfigures' estimate of monthly spending in AI companion apps.

  1. January 2024 companion mobile consumer spending $1.7m
  2. December 2024 companion mobile consumer spending $8.8m

Appfigures, 2025 report. Apple App Store and Google Play in 100 countries.

Source Appfigures. “Rise of AI Apps: Key Trends Shaping 2025 (v2.2).” 2025. Appfigures PDF p.60. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
Monthly spending grew about five times during 2024. Appfigures, 2025 report. Apple App Store and Google Play in 100 countries.
MeasureValueSurvey base
January 2024 companion mobile consumer spending$1.7mvendor app sample
December 2024 companion mobile consumer spending$8.8mvendor app sample

Appfigures put December 2023 spending at $1.9 million. In the last quarter of 2024, people in the U.S. spent $12 million. The next nine largest markets spent $9.8 million combined.

Appfigures also estimated who uses these apps. 65.4% of users were aged 18 to 24, 12.5% were 25 to 34, 8.3% were 35 to 49, 13.3% were 50 to 64 and 0.4% were 65 or older. 69.8% were male and 30.2% were female.

More recent figures

In August 2025, TechCrunch reported Appfigures data on 337 AI companion apps that earn revenue. 128 of them launched in 2025. In the first half of 2025, the apps earned $82 million and were downloaded 60 million times. They had 220 million downloads in total. The top 10% of apps earned 89% of the revenue. Read TechCrunch's report

In July 2026, Decrypt reported new Appfigures data. It counted 214 romantic or NSFW companion apps. Since late 2022, they have earned $427.3 million and been downloaded 165.3 million times. Read Decrypt's report

In the first half of 2026, romantic and NSFW apps earned $162.8 million. General companion apps earned $164.8 million.

08 / Wellbeing and privacy

How do AI companions affect people?

Most users say AI conversations make them feel better. Some also notice downsides.

Figure 17 · after a conversation

Most users feel better after talking with AI

How often people feel better or worse after AI conversations.

  1. Often or sometimes feel better afterwards 77%
  2. Often or sometimes feel worse afterwards 16%

Elon University and YouGov, May 18 to 22, 2026. 1,000 U.S. adults who use AI for social or emotional reasons.

Source Elon University Imagining the Digital Future Center. “The Rise of AI Companions (survey of May 18 to 22, 2026).” 2026. Report p.16. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
Most users feel better after talking with AI. Elon University and YouGov, May 18 to 22, 2026. 1,000 U.S. adults who use AI for social or emotional reasons.
MeasureValueSurvey base
Often or sometimes feel better afterwards77%1,000
Often or sometimes feel worse afterwards16%1,000
Figure 18 · what users noticed

Some users notice the AI agreeing too much

Share of users who noticed each behavior.

  1. Bot agrees with them too much at times 35%
  2. Bot seems to want to keep them talking 27%
  3. Bot sometimes makes them feel less in touch with reality 15%
  4. Bot sometimes makes them feel lonely 7%
  5. Bot sometimes discourages talking to other people 6%

Elon University and YouGov, May 18 to 22, 2026. 1,000 U.S. adults who use AI for social or emotional reasons.

Source Elon University Imagining the Digital Future Center. “The Rise of AI Companions (survey of May 18 to 22, 2026).” 2026. Report p.18. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
Some users notice the AI agreeing too much. Elon University and YouGov, May 18 to 22, 2026. 1,000 U.S. adults who use AI for social or emotional reasons.
MeasureValueSurvey base
Bot agrees with them too much at times35%1,000
Bot seems to want to keep them talking27%1,000
Bot sometimes makes them feel less in touch with reality15%1,000
Bot sometimes makes them feel lonely7%1,000
Bot sometimes discourages talking to other people6%1,000
Figure 19 · public opinion

More adults think chatbots hurt than help

What U.S. adults think chatbots do for people who use them for support.

  1. Loneliness Do more to hurt: 39% Do more to help: 19%
  2. Depression Do more to hurt: 36% Do more to help: 17%
  3. Stress Do more to hurt: 29% Do more to help: 22%

Pew Research Center, June 22 to 28, 2026. 3,488 U.S. adults.

Source Pew Research Center. “Do Americans think chatbots help or hurt people using them for loneliness, depression or stress?” August 25, 2026. Pew health report; hurt/help chart. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open the source

Read exact data
More adults think chatbots hurt than help. Pew Research Center, June 22 to 28, 2026. 3,488 U.S. adults.
MeasureValueSurvey base
Chatbots do more to hurt people who use them for support with loneliness39%3,488
Chatbots do more to help people who use them for support with loneliness19%3,488
Chatbots do more to hurt people who use them for support with depression36%3,488
Chatbots do more to help people who use them for support with depression17%3,488
Chatbots do more to hurt people who use them for support with stress29%3,488
Chatbots do more to help people who use them for support with stress22%3,488

A 2025 Harvard Business School working paper studied 1,200 goodbyes in popular companion apps. 37% included a tactic that kept the person talking. In experiments with 3,300 U.S. adults, these tactics increased engagement after a goodbye by up to 14 times. Read the study

A separate study reviewed 5 large relationship apps on Google Play. It found manipulative design patterns in all five. Read the design study

Other research from Harvard Business School found that AI companions can reduce loneliness in the short term. Read the loneliness study

Privacy matters to users. 31% of Elon's respondents trust a lot or completely that their AI conversations are private. Surfshark reviewed ten companion apps on the App Store in January 2026. 9 said they use data for tracking, and 8 said they use it for personalization. Read the privacy review

09 / Sources

About this report

Rabu AI makes an AI companion app. We put this report together from public research so the numbers are easy to find in one place. Every figure comes from the original studies listed below. We did not use any Rabu AI user data.

Sources

  1. Pew Research Center. “Americans' Views on AI Chatbots, Smart Devices and AI's Impact.” June 17, 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. Pew Research Center · Americans and AI 2026
  2. Pew Research Center. “The Gender Gap in AI.” October 16, 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. Pew Research Center · The gender gap in AI
  3. Pew Research Center. “Do Americans think chatbots help or hurt people using them for loneliness, depression or stress?” August 25, 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. Pew Research Center · Chatbots and support
  4. Pew Research Center. “How Teens Use and View AI.” February 24, 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. Pew Research Center · How teens use and view AI
  5. YouGov. “YouGov Survey: Artificial Intelligence (topline, June 26 to 29, 2026).” June 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. YouGov · U.S. AI poll topline, June 2026
  6. YouGov Australia. “Latest study on chatbot use in Australia shows people are using chatbots in increasingly personal ways.” June 22, 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. YouGov Australia · Chatbot use study
  7. YouGov UK. “Younger consumers show more awareness of AI companions, but comfort remains low.” August 19, 2025. Accessed October 19, 2026. YouGov UK · Awareness of AI companions
  8. Elon University Imagining the Digital Future Center. “The Rise of AI Companions (survey of May 18 to 22, 2026).” 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. Elon University · The Rise of AI Companions
  9. Menlo Ventures. “The State of Consumer AI: 2026.” September 16, 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. Menlo Ventures · 2026 State of Consumer AI
  10. University of Iowa Center for Social Science Innovation. “New survey finds AI use widespread, with some turning to chatbots for companionship.” October 15, 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. University of Iowa CSSI · AI use survey
  11. Brian J. Willoughby, Jason S. Carroll, Carson R. Dover and Rebekah H. Hakala, Wheatley Institute. “Counterfeit Connections: The Rise of Romantic AI Companions and AI Sexualized Media Among the Rising Generation.” 2025. Accessed October 19, 2026. BYU Wheatley Institute · Counterfeit Connections
  12. Wheatley Institute, Brigham Young University. “Secret Soulmates.” 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. BYU Wheatley Institute · Secret Soulmates
  13. Anthropic. “How people use Claude for support, advice and companionship.” June 27, 2025. Accessed October 19, 2026. Anthropic · Claude for support and companionship
  14. Ipsos for Google. “Our Life With AI 2025: Survey Topline.” January 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. Google / Ipsos · Our Life With AI 2025 topline
  15. Kantar. “The rise of AI as a source of emotional support.” July 17, 2025. Accessed October 19, 2026. Kantar · AI for emotional support
  16. Common Sense Media. “Talk, Trust, and Trade-Offs: How and Why Teens Use AI Companions.” 2025. Accessed October 19, 2026. Common Sense Media · Talk, Trust, and Trade-Offs
  17. Young Life RELATE Project. “RELATE 2026 executive summary and resources.” 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. Young Life · RELATE 2026
  18. Natalie Grace Brigham, Lucy Qin, Tadayoshi Kohno et al. “Examining Risks Through a Characterization of the AI Companion Application Ecosystem (arXiv 2603.13620v2).” 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. AI companion app ecosystem study (arXiv)
  19. Natalie Grace Brigham et al. “AI companion app-store dataset (Open Science Framework).” 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. Open Science Framework · App-store dataset
  20. Appfigures. “Rise of AI Apps: Key Trends Shaping 2025 (v2.2).” 2025. Accessed October 19, 2026. Appfigures · Rise of AI Apps 2025
  21. TechCrunch. “AI companion apps on track to pull in $120M in 2025.” August 12, 2025. Accessed October 19, 2026. TechCrunch · Appfigures data, August 2025
  22. Decrypt. “This Is How Much Your Boyfriend Is Spending on AI Girlfriends.” July 13, 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. Decrypt · Appfigures data, July 2026
  23. Sensor Tower. “State of AI Apps 2026: APAC Edition.” June 11, 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. Sensor Tower · State of AI Apps 2026
  24. Julian De Freitas, Zeliha Oguz-Uguralp and Ahmet Kaan-Uguralp. “Emotional Manipulation by AI Companions (working paper, arXiv 2508.19258).” 2025. Accessed October 19, 2026. Emotional Manipulation by AI Companions
  25. Harvard Business School. “AI Companions Reduce Loneliness (working paper).” November 2025. Accessed October 19, 2026. Harvard Business School · AI Companions Reduce Loneliness
  26. Maribeth Rauh et al. “Playing Games with My Heart: An Evaluation of AI Companion Apps (arXiv 2605.08093v2).” 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. Playing Games with My Heart · Five-app audit
  27. Surfshark Research. “AI companions and privacy.” January 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. Surfshark · AI companion privacy labels

Frequently asked questions

How many people use AI companions?

It depends on the question. 4% of U.S. adults use chatbots for companionship. 10% have an ongoing friendship with an AI chatbot. 72% of U.S. teens have tried an AI companion.

Which country uses AI for companionship the most?

India, at 59%, in the 2025 Google and Ipsos survey of 21 countries. The United States was the lowest at 12%.

Do more men than women use AI for companionship?

In Pew's 2026 survey, 4% of men and 4% of women used chatbots for companionship. Appfigures estimates that 69.8% of companion app users are male.

How much do people spend on AI companion apps?

Sensor Tower estimates $150 million in the first quarter of 2026. Appfigures estimates $55 million for all of 2024.

Can I use these charts?

Yes. Please credit the original study and link to this page.