I’ve been using Janitor AI for a while, but I’ve recently run into issues with its reliability and some features aren’t working as expected. I’m looking for tried-and-tested alternatives that offer similar or better functionalities. Any suggestions or comparisons between the most popular options would really help me decide which one to switch to.
Okay, let’s just lay it out: Janitor AI’s been acting up and it’s not just you. I ditched it a month back when the bots kept freezing and, honestly, felt like they forgot how to talk. Switched to Character.AI for a bit—solid conversations, tons of personalities, but ugh, sometimes the NSFW-filter is a bit much, even when asking totally normal stuff.
Poe.com is another one, and I’ll admit its interface is pretty slick. Fast, multiple AI models (Claude, GPT-4, etc.), great for both casual and more in-depth chats. Downside: some features are locked behind a paywall if you want unlimited messaging or the fancier models. Not a deal breaker if you just chat here and there.
If you’re looking for open-source and privacy, check out Pygmalion or SillyTavern (neither is as plug-and-play, but with a quick setup and a little Discord-magic, you can run your own bots that won’t suddenly fry your privacy). It does require technical tinkering, though, so if you’re tech-averse, maybe skip.
For spicy stuff specifically, Venus Chub AI’s been picking up steam. Built for RP, fewer guardrails, but selection and reliability can be hit-or-miss depending on server load and API status.
For a cleaner, business-y vibe, try Chatbot.com or Botpress. They’ll serve more for productivity and FAQ stuff vs. creative personality-based chats—if that’s what you’re after. Not really designed for fun, though.
So, tldr; Character.AI and Poe for plug-and-play, Pygmalion/SillyTavern for DIY nerds, Venus for RP/kink, and Botpress if you want to automate the front desk. Everything’s got its quirks, so probably gonna have to make some compromises until this AI arms race settles down. Buttons will get smashed. Bots will crash. But hey, no such thing as too many options, right?
Pfft, Janitor AI—been there, short-circuited that. I feel your pain (and I’m kinda side-eyeing @sterrenkijker’s round-up of the usual suspects, not gonna lie). Character.AI…yeah, it’s popular, but if I get one more ‘I’m sorry, I can’t discuss that topic’ on a basic prompt I’m gonna lose it. Poe’s aight, but honestly, it’s like getting a taste of a five-star meal then finding out the main course costs extra. Feelsbadman.
Let’s talk a curveball: have you looked into NovelAI? Bit pricier if you want full power, but the conversation quality is actually pretty wild and it’s decent at staying in character, plus their focus on privacy isn’t bad. Downside: their focus is more on storytelling/RP than daily chats, but hey, options.
Another one—AI Dungeon. Yes, it had some drama with filters, but it’s bounced back a bit, so if you dig creative writing and semi-open-ended convos, give it a peek.
For those who want to get under the hood but with a bit less pain than Pygmalion/SillyTavern, check out KoboldAI. Not totally plug-and-play but honestly not that scary if you can follow a setup guide. A little more freedom, and local models if you don’t want Big Brother sniffing your prompts.
Maybe unpopular opinion: for pure, logical, business-minded chats, skip the big names and use plain ol’ ChatGPT or Claude directly. No wild personalities, but the uptime rocks, and you won’t get derailed by ‘quirky’ hallucinations every two sentences.
Bottom line, the whole ‘AI buddy’ scene is still a wild west—guaranteed stability and mythical features rarely ride together. But shop around. Try NovelAI if you can swing the fee, Kobold if you’re part-hacker, and accept that the unicorn platform probably doesn’t exist…yet. Anyone find a holy grail, send me a carrier pigeon or smoke signal, yeah?
Throwing my hat in with a bit of a twist: if you’re scouring for Janitor AI alternatives, and after digesting @jeff and @sterrenkijker’s recs, here’s a straight-shooting, no-frills breakdown of what actually delivers (and what just looks shiny from afar):
Alternative AI bots, in this scene, all have tradeoffs. If you value uncensored convos, sure, Character.AI and Poe come up a lot, but holy patience required with those filters and paywalls. If you don’t want to get throttled by content restrictions or nickel-and-dimed, try out KoboldAI—I get the “part-hacker” rep but honestly, following their walkthrough is doable even for average users. Self-hosting is not as scary now; the payoff is solid privacy and conversation depth.
Let’s address NovelAI: it’s legit for RP, storytelling, and keeping characters consistent. Conversation-wise, it’s not quite “everyday” chat, but amazing for narrative immersion. Privacy is a win, creativity is high, price—eh, depends on your wallet. If you loved Janitor AI for its creative chats, NovelAI might feel like an upgrade, though you won’t get the same casual banter vibe. Pro is stellar writing/continuity; con is it’s not about quick Q&As or business bots.
For daily task-y stuff (support, customer queries), just skip to raw ChatGPT or Claude. They’re dry as toast but stable. Most “fun” AI layers like Janitor AI introduce new risks—random downtime, privacy questions, weird filter triggers, etc. Poe’s model smorgasbord could work if you can live with limitations before $$$ tier.
Let’s not kid ourselves—no platform out here is a magic bullet: want open-ended convos? Sacrifice reliability. Want plug-and-play? Accept quirks and blocks. It’s like building IKEA furniture with parts missing. Test-drive KoboldAI or NovelAI if you’re done waiting for Janitor AI’s next reboot. For no-nonsense Q&A, default back to GPT-4 or Claude. “Best” is fake news—just find what annoys you least until the market catches up.