AI companion apps have seen rapid growth in 2025, with 128 new apps released this year and US$82 million in revenue generated during the first half, according to Appfigures data shared with TechCrunch.

These apps, which let users interact with AI-driven characters designed to mimic personalities, have now been downloaded 220 million times worldwide across the Apple App Store and Google Play as of July.

Downloads in the first half of 2025 reached 60 million, up 88% year-on-year, while total consumer spending in the category stands at US$221 million.

The top 10% of these apps account for 89% of revenue, and 33 apps have exceeded US$1 million in lifetime consumer spending.

Popular titles include Replika, Character.AI, PolyBuzz, and Chai.

Appfigures noted that 17% of active apps use “girlfriend” in their names, compared to 4% with “boyfriend” or “fantasy.”

Apps no longer available or without traction were not included in the analysis.

🔗 Source: TechCrunch

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ AI companions trace back to therapeutic chatbots from the 1960s

The current boom in AI companion apps builds on a foundation laid nearly 60 years ago with ELIZA, created by Joseph Weizenbaum in 1966 to simulate a psychotherapist through pattern matching and pre-defined responses 1.

ELIZA’s most famous version, DOCTOR, mimicked a Rogerian therapist by reflecting users’ statements back to them, creating an early template for emotionally supportive AI interactions 1.

This therapeutic focus persists today, with the AI companion market now valued at $14.1 billion in 2024 and projected to grow at 26.8% annually through 2034, driven partly by rising mental health awareness 2.

The evolution from ELIZA’s simple rule-based responses to today’s sophisticated AI companions demonstrates how the core human need for non-judgmental emotional support has remained constant, while the technology has dramatically improved to create more engaging and personalized experiences.

2️⃣ Market concentration reveals winner-takes-all dynamics in AI companionship

The AI companion app market shows extreme concentration, with the top 10% of apps generating 89% of all revenue despite 337 active apps competing for users 3.