Chub: The "Steam Workshop" of AI Characters
If you’re tired of "sanitized" AI that refuses to roleplay anything spicier than a hug, Chub is the answer. It is primarily a massive, community-driven library of character cards (files that define an AI's personality) that you can use with their built-in chat interface or export to your own tools.
🎨 What It Actually Does
Chub acts as both a storage locker and a playground. You find a character (a "card"), and you can either download it to use elsewhere (like SillyTavern) or chat with it directly on the site.
- The Repository: It hosts over a million user-created characters. If a specific anime villain or obscure RPG NPC exists, they are likely here.
- Venus Interface: This is their built-in chat platform. You don't need to install complex software; you just click "Chat" on a card and it runs in your browser.
- Cross-Compatibility: Unlike Character.ai, you own the data. You can download the character file (PNG/JSON) and take it to any other AI platform. You are not locked in.
The Real Cost (Free vs. Paid)
Chub’s pricing model is refreshing because it offers a usable free tier, but the "good stuff" (smarter models) requires cash. The free tier runs on smaller, faster models that are decent for casual chat but can get confused in long, complex stories.
| Plan | Cost | Key Limits/Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 300 messages/day limit. Access to basic models (e.g., Mistral 7B). 8k context memory. |
| Mercury | $5/mo | Unlimited messages. Access to mid-range models (MythoMax 13B). 8k context. |
| Mars | $20/mo | Unlimited messages on huge models (70B+ parameters). Voice generation. Smarter logic. |
Note: You can also use the interface for free forever if you bring your own API key (from OpenAI, Claude, or OpenRouter), paying those providers directly instead of Chub.*
How It Stacks Up
- vs. Character.ai: C.AI is the "Apple" approach—polished, easy, but heavily censored and you can't export your data. Chub is the "Linux" approach—rougher edges, steeper learning curve, but total freedom and zero filters.
- vs. JanitorAI: Janitor is the closest rival. Janitor generally offers a smoother UI and totally free (beta) chatting, but Chub's library of characters is significantly larger and better organized with tagging.
- vs. SpicyChat: SpicyChat forces free users into "waiting rooms" (queues) during peak times. Chub gives you a hard daily limit (300 messages) but no queues—you chat instantly until you hit the cap.
The Verdict
Chub represents the last bastion of the "Wild West" internet. In an era where major tech companies are desperately trying to sanitize every interaction, Chub gives you the tools to curate your own experience—messy, weird, and entirely yours. It’s not just a chat tool; it’s an archive of digital creativity that refuses to be walled off. If you are willing to tinker with settings, it is vastly superior to the big corporate chatbots.
